MFA Oil bulk and propane managers, district managers and staff from the home office met in Nashville, TN on August 16-18th for the Annual Managers Meeting. Group presentations were geared toward the meeting’s theme of “Fueling Excellence: The Drive from Good to Great.”
Robert Condron, chief financial officer, provided an overview of the company’s financial position and noted MFA Oil has had a record year for income from its own operations. Condron then updated the audience on the progress of implementation of Project New Dawn, which will improve driver routing, provide real-time reporting on inventory and allow for better overall service to customers.
The Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) and transition to bi-weekly payroll were addressed by Janice Serpico, chief human resources officer. Serpico provided details on the types of employees who will be eligible for the VSP program and how the payroll change will reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency.
Kenny Steeves, vice president of bulk and propane plant operations, discussed the company’s investment in new equipment such as bigger trucks, ruggedized tablets for drivers and tank right-sizing. These improvements are expected to make a positive impact on customer service and increase profitability.
The company’s top managers for fiscal year 2015 were announced. Winners were selected based on total net income and point totals from this year’s Manager’s Scorecard. The scorecard tracked points from volume, net income, efficiency, image and safety. Jon Ihler, vice president of sales and marketing, announced the winners, who received trophies to commemorate their achievement.
Breakout sessions discussing logistics, service, inventory accounting, distribution and warehousing were held in the afternoon, followed by a dinner where service awards were presented. The next day, attendees heard from Mark Fenner, president and CEO, who discussed the recent changes the company has made and why those changes were necessary for MFA Oil to stay relevant with customers. Fenner emphasized the need for strong, positive leadership throughout the company and the importance of leading by example.
The meeting was capped off by keynote speaker Keni Thomas, a veteran of the U.S. Army Rangers. Thomas recounted his involvement in the 18-hour firefight that would later be depicted in the highly-successful book and movie “Blackhawk Down”. He stressed the importance of outstanding leadership at every level, even if the only person you are leading is yourself. “Use the gifts you have been given to set the example for others to follow,” Thomas told attendees. “Because when you do, the world around you becomes a better place.”
Top Managers Ranked by Total Net Income
Larry Eggen (Cole Camp/Eldon/Tipton/Windsor)
Denis Dreiling (Mansfield/Marshfield/Ozark/Springfield)
Marty Mills (Bowling Green/Marthasville/Troy/Wright City)
Fred Trowbridge (Columbia/Fulton/Mexico/Moberly/Paris)
Carla Mathes (Clinton/Harrisonville/Peculiar/Warrensburg)
Top Managers Ranked by Manager’s Scorecard
Jay Fisher (Platte City/St. Joseph)
Larry Morris (Piedmont/Poplar Bluff/Qulin/Williamsville)
Steve Despain (Lake City, AR/Wynne, AR)
Mike McGhee (Canton/Kirksville LP/LaPlata/Macon LP)
Jason Bond (Neosho/Grove, OK)
Jimmy Smith (East Prairie/Kewanee/Sikeston)
Steve Lasater (Carthage/Golden City/Lockwood/Jasper)
Andy Hays (Butler/Nevada/Stockton)
Jared Lause (Cuba/Potosi/Union)
Jerry Lincoln (LaBelle/Macon BP/Novelty)