MFA Oil wrapped up the training of its second cohort of Accelerate participants in May.
The new manager program brings together employees from all divisions to learn about team building and cooperative basics, people management, key business measures, and effective leadership.
Gunner McGuire, manager of the Big O Tires Osage Beach store, has learned a lot about himself and the characteristics needed to become an exceptional manager.
“Some people are great managers, and some people are great leaders, but it can be difficult to be both,” McGuire says. “I plan to incorporate what I learned to create a positive workplace and to improve my delegation skills.”
Aaron Atkins, BluSphere Energy solar operations manager, enjoyed the DiSC behavioral self-assessment he received.
“We learned how people with different personalities prefer to work and communicate,” Atkins says. “I plan to use what I learned through the DiSC assessment to help me better connect with colleagues at a higher level.”
Ed Kowing, Lebanon plant manager, has already begun incorporating what he learned from the Accelerate program.
“We are working to improve our collaboration and teamwork to make our jobs easier and more efficient,” Kowing says. “I also enjoyed learning about the difference between leadership and management and when to lean into each role.”
The next Accelerate class is planned for Break Time and Big O Tires employees in the fall. Another class, open to all divisions, will be held in the spring of 2025.
2024 Accelerate Class Participants
Aaron Atkins – BluSphere Energy Solar Operations Manager
Larry Collins – Plant Manager (Shell Knob)
Corey Fett – Plant Manager (Kahoka)
Alex Fowler – Break Time Store Manager (Sweet Springs)
Jeff Golden – Big O Tires Store Manager (Kansas City – NE 83rd Terr.)
William Hepworth – Break Time Store Manager (Columbia – Roanoke Dr.)
Brandon Hudson – Plant Manager (Cole Camp)
Tracy Huff – Plant Manager (Sulphur, IN)
Demario Johnson – Big O Tires Store Manager (St. Robert)
Cassie Kimbell – Credit Manager
Kai-Li Kirschner – Product Distribution Manager
Edward Kowing – Plant Manager (Lebanon)
Darrell Langston – Plant Manager (Grove, OK)
Gunner McGuire – Big O Tires Store Manager (Osage Beach)
Janet McInvale – Break Time Store Manager (Bolivar)
Joseph Meyer – Big O Tires Store Manager (Jefferson City – Missouri Blvd.)
Scott Parris – Plant Manager (Peculiar)
Siddarth Rajagopalan – ERP Development Manager
Kyle Schickowski – Big O Tires Store Manager (Blue Springs – Coronado Dr.)
Sean Scott – Break Time Store Manager (Columbia – N. Stadium Blvd.)
Terrance Smith – Break Time Store Manager (Jefferson City – E. McCarty St.)
Richard Wilson – Territory Safety & Maintenance Manager
Mitchell Zeiss – Big O Tires Store Manager (Jefferson City – Jefferson St.)