This summer, MFA Oil is giving aspiring students real world experience in their desired fields. Nine interns have recently joined the MFA Oil team as part of the company’s third annual internship program.

The interns, a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, are scattered in various departments across the home office, in the field and at the Moberly Business Support Campus. Most of the group are students from the University of Missouri, with some from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Their hometowns range from as close as Columbia to as far as Bangalore, India.

In addition to the various duties assigned in their respective departments, the interns are responsible for a group project – researching various non-profit organizations to potentially be chosen for the company’s annual Week of Giving fundraising event this fall.

MFA Oil’s internship program began in late May and will cap off officially on Aug. 4 when the interns present their non-profit research findings to the executive team, as well as individual presentations showcasing what they have been working on in their departments.

Get to Know the Interns

Andrew Bruegenhemke, Tax and Banking

Currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Missouri, Andrew’s work deals with evaluating tax rates for company locations in the Tax and Banking Department. Born and raised in Columbia, Mo., Andrew is hoping to find a job in the finance field, possibly at a bank, after graduating from his program in 2018.

Jacob Bracey, Development Operations

Jacob is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with minors in computer science and mathematics at the University of Missouri. Originally from Portageville, Mo., Jacob is working on server administration within the Development Operations Department, as well as developing a diagnostic application which will eventually be installed on MFA Oil computers. Jacob is hoping to find a job that enables him to fulfill his personal and professional goals.

Michelle Cummings, Marketing and Communications

A junior at the University of Missouri, Michelle is working with the Marketing Department primarily writing articles for the company e-newsletters, The Bottom Line and The Insider, and Momentum magazine. Originally from St. Louis, Michelle is studying journalism with an emphasis in strategic communication/public relations. Michelle hopes to go into the public relations field after graduating next year.

Bailey Griffith, Break Time Operations

Originally from Slater, Mo., Break Time Operations Department intern, Bailey, is a senior at the University of Missouri, majoring in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. This summer, Bailey has been working with the recently implemented c-store system, PDI Workforce, as well as other special projects related to liquor sales/layouts in the Break Time stores. Following her graduation in 2018, Bailey is hoping to find an organization that will allow her to gain a multitude of experiences and develop her career.

Mary Jane Kapp, Tax and Banking

A senior at the University of Missouri, Tax and Banking Department intern, Mary Jane, is working on reconciling bank accounts, researching outstanding bank issues and dealing with other monthly banking issues this summer. Originally from Clarksdale, Mo., Mary Jane is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and banking. After graduating in 2018, Mary Jane is hoping to have a full-time job in her field of study and to get a dog.

Akhil Melakunta, Network Operations

Pursuing a master’s degree in computer information systems at the University of Central Missouri, Network Operations Department intern, Akhil, is working on systems administration tasks, including server, desktop and data backup administration. Akhil is an international student from Bangalore, India and hopes to work full-time as a systems administrator in IT in the United States upon finishing graduate school.

Jacob Smallwood, Construction Management

Construction Management intern, Jacob, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture systems management at the University of Missouri. Jacob travels to the company’s construction jobsites to check progress, as well as completes ADA surveys (accessibility reviews). Originally from Salem, Mo., Jacob hopes to return to MFA Oil after he graduates in 2019 in a full-time construction management positon to gain experience and learn as much as possible about construction.

Gabe Vandiver, Service and Safety

Gabe is working with the Service and Safety Department, assisting with a variety of projects, including preparing tank monitoring information, evaluating bulk and propane plant safety inspections, evaluating the company’s current written safety procedures and preparations of monthly safety meetings. Originally from Richmond, Mo., Gabe is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in safety management at the University of Central Missouri and hopes to use his degree to minimize the risks of accidents and hazardous situations on job sites he is assigned to regardless of the industry he decides to join.

Cody Wenrich, Logistics

Based out of the Moberly Business Support Campus, Cody’s primary focus is working with the new routing software (RoadNet) and assisting other logistics agents with the routing of their zones in the Logistics Department. Hailing from Sedona, Ariz., Cody is studying political science at the University of Missouri and hopes to use his internship and leadership experience to begin a career in a management-related field.