Plant managers, operations managers and district managers gathered in Columbia for the annual managers meeting on July 19-20, 2017. The meeting’s theme was “Navigating the Future” and featured guest speaker Mike Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold and author of the best-selling book “It’s Your Ship.”
The meeting began with a look at the value cooperatives provide by consultant Jeff Schindele. He identified the types of cooperatives that exist, how each model is structured and how they compare and contrast with MFA Oil. Schindele told the managers that it is imperative to understand how each cooperative pays patronage and to use this information to help customers understand the value MFA Oil provides.
Four breakout sessions rounded out the first afternoon’s schedule and included the following topics:
- Smooth Sailing – Tom Procter, director of service and safety, discussed storage tank monitors and their importance to the company as we push to move more customers to the auto-fill program.
- Bigger Drops, Less Stops – Larry Ehrman, vice president of logistics, outlined the company’s plans to improve delivery efficiency by moving to a centralized routing system, increasing the total number of gallons each truck hauls and incentivizing customers to right-size their tanks and agree to the auto-fill program.
- Charting the Course – Kenny Steeves, vice president of BP/LP operations, and Barry Oden, district manager, provided an update on the rollout of fuel sales in E1. Oden explained the value of the data managers will have access to once the new system is up and running in their areas.
- Voyage to Self-Discovery – Janice Serpico, chief human resources officer, and Tom May, director of employee relations, walked the managers through an explanation of their DISC behavioral assessments and how to use that information to better interact with their co-workers.
Following a happy hour and dinner, Abrashoff took the stage and told the inspiring tale of how he took one of the worst performing ships in the navy and turned it around to become a shining star in the fleet. When he took command of the USS Benfold, it was plagued by low morale, high turnover and abysmal performance reviews. Yet a mere 12 months later, the Benfold was ranked No. 1 in performance – using the very same crew.
How did he do it? Abrashoff focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude.
“I didn’t turn the ship around – my crew did that,” Abrashoff said. “What I did was to reinvent my leadership style and create an environment where they felt safe, empowered and supported. When they came to me with a problem, I’d say ‘It’s your ship – how would you fix it?’.”
Abrashoff adopted a plan that replaced command and control with commitment and cohesion to engage his crew’s hearts and minds. “The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew. This empowers every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence.”
On day two, another series of breakout sessions covered the following topics:
- Oh, Ship! What’s Next?! – Tom Procter detailed how to handle emergency situations and crises.
- The Integrated Crew – Jeremi Rowland, director of information technology services, Gary Tinsley, director of process re-engineering, and Gayle Bailey, senior director of accounting and finance, highlighted the various ways departments in the company are working with the plants to make improvements.
- At the Helm – Kenny Steeves and Jon Ihler, vice president of sales and marketing, held a roundtable discussion with meeting participants about the new Fuel Smarter discount pricing program that will be introduced in 2018.
- All Hands on Deck – Tom May and Justi Montague, human resources information systems manager, explained the new iCIMS application tracking software.
The meeting concluded with a leadership awards presentation for top-performing plant managers, district managers, operations managers, service managers and business development representatives.
“With the type of year we have had, this group has really stepped up their game,” said Steeves. “They have focused on efficiencies, whether this is managing our truck fleet better, customer service, installing monitors or sales, they have led the way for future success. I appreciate all the effort and dedication they have shown to our co-op. I am fortunate to work with such a knowledgeable team.”
Congratulations to all the leadership awards recipients listed below:
Top 8 – Percent Increase in Net Income
- William Hawkins – Pensacola, Okla.
- Howard Hopkins – Stilwell, Okla. & Keota, Okla.
- Ron Geist – Monroe City, Shelbina & Palmyra
- Andrew Rhoten – Duncan, Okla.
- Barry Melton – Weaubleau, Bolivar, Buffalo & Walnut Grove
- Jason Bond – Grove, Okla. & Neosho
- Mike Yamnitz – Perryville & Ste. Genevieve
- Jared Lause – Union, Potosi & Sullivan
Top 5 – Total Net Income
- Marty Mills – Bowling Green, Marthasville, Wright City, Troy, Vandalia & Perry
- Denis Dreiling – Mansfield, Marshfield, Springfield, Seymour, Ozark & Hartville
- Daris Wyatt – Garnett, Kan.
- Donnie Rouse – Milan, Unionville, Green City & Centerville, Iowa
- Carla Mathes – Clinton, Harrisonville & Peculiar
Top 2 Districts – Total Net Income
- Luke Fitzpatrick – West Central
- Barry Oden – Northeast Central
Top Salesman – Most New Customers
Ron McCreless – Mid South & Ohio Valley
Top Ops Manager – Most Gallons Hauled per Truck
Max Scott – Southwest
Tony Johnson – Northwest
Top Service Manager – Most Tank Monitor Installs
Clayton Uthe – Northwest
The following managers received service awards at the meeting and/or are retiring:
Trevor Honeycutt, plant manager – 5 years
Michael Whitney, district manager – 5 years
Jennifer Daggett, operations manager – 10 years
Dustin Snodgrass, senior acquisitions manager – 20 years
Mike Yamintz, plant manager – 25 years
Floyd Ouderkirk, territory service manager – 30 years
Ron Geist, area manager – 35 years
Al Olivent, plant manager – retirement
Jerry Lutz, plant manager – retirement
Chuck Willyard, plant manager – retirement
Rocky Walker, operations manager – 20 years and retirement
Bob Barton, plant manager – 40 years and retirement