Recent News
Chevron Announces Plans to Construct Base Oil Manufacturing Facility in Pascagoula, Miss.; Facility to manufacture 25,000 barrels of premium base oil per day
Refinery United Way Campaign Nets $977,000
 Chevron Pascagoula employees' record-breaking $466,000 in pledges during the 2008 United Way Campaign, coupled with Chevron's corporate contribution and Humankind match, resulted in an astounding pledge of $977,000 to the United Way.
Each successive Refinery campaign seems to set a new record for employee giving, with steady increases every year in recent memory. This year, thanks to Chevron Humankind, employees had the opportunity to request that the company match their contributions, allowing generosity at Chevron to go even further in helping the community.
"We were overwhelmed by the compassion and support from Chevron employees during this year's United Way campaign," said Refinery Campaign Coordinator Amy Brandenstein, who also served as co-chair of the community's United Way Campaign. "The tremendous spirit of care and concern for our neighbors resulted in true success for this year's drive."
While the combined Chevron contribution has traditionally accounted for about 25 percent of the total pledges in Jackson and George counties' annual campaign, the combined pledge in the recent drive accounts for a remarkable 44 percent of the campaign's total $2.2 million in pledges.
At a "grand finale" celebration held November 6, United Way Chief Professional Officer Carolyn Moore announced the successful conclusion of the annual campaign to benefit United Way's 23 member agencies.
Special thanks to Refinery annuitants Jerry Hoag, Paul LeBatard, Joanna Wells and Richard Wilson, who along with Amy Brandenstein, coordinated a tremendously sucessful United Way campaign at the Refinery.
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Proudly displaying the 2008 United Way campaign totals are (from left) campaign co-chair Amy Brandenstein of Chevron, United Way Chief Professional Officer Carolyn Moore, and United Way President of the Board of Directors Steve Renfroe of Chevron. |
Pascagoula Certified as Child-Friendly
 Most everyone these days knows it takes more than just good parenting to raise a child. Now, thanks to Pascagoula's EXCEL BY 5 designation as a child-friendly community, the proper care and education of young children is the responsibility of the whole community.
"It really makes me proud to be a part of Pascagoula. This is amazing," said Lauren Wood, a resident with two young children.
The designation comes from the statewide EXCEL BY 5 program and means the city is actively working to help kids get a head start in life. Pascagoula celebrated its new status on October 18 with the "Excelebration," a child-friendly festival at Beach Park. The event was fun for the whole family, and helped to highlight one of the most important phases of learning for a child.
"What happens between birth to five actually sets the stage for a child's development and success in school and in life," said State Excel by Five Director Annjo Lemons.
Pascagoula residents obviously recognize the importance of that idea. In 2006, a coalition of parents, educators and community leaders was formed to make sure the community was fully prepared to help support children during their earliest years.
"If you get involved with children first and provide them the educational resources, the economic resources and the parental resources they need from the start, then the probability of their graduation from high school is increased," said Coalition Chairman Brice Wiggins.
Pascagoula is the third and largest community in Mississippi to receive the EXCEL BY 5 designation, preceded by the cities of Petal and West Point. Other Mississippi communities aren't far behind. Candidate Communities of Moss Point, Biloxi, Monroe County, Cleveland and Midtown Jackson have started the process to get their designations as well.
Child-Friendly certification from EXCEL BY 5 is nearly a two year process and requires a commitment from all factions. A potential community must ensure every child and family has access to four different areas: child-related health care, family and parental support through a resource and educational center, community-wide events focusing on children, and elevated credentials for early care and education professionals. These four components require the cooperation of almost every community member.
"It is a community initiative, and a status earned primarily by the whole community joining hands and doing the work," said Lemons.
EXCEL BY 5 is a program underwritten primarily by Chevron, with the help of the Phil Harden Foundation and the Mississippi State Early Childhood Education Center.
"Chevron is privileged to have helped develop and fund a program that first benefits our children and helps communities build capacity to deliver long-term positive educational and economic benefits," said Chevron Pascagoula Refinery General Manager Roland Kell. "It is clear that the right early childhood experiences set the stage for life-long success - both in the classroom and beyond."
For more information on EXCEL BY 5, go to www.excelby5.com
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Community leaders joined in the "Excelebration" of Pascagoula's Child-Friendly certification. Pictured here at the event are (from left) Pascagoula School Board President Mike Concannon, Pascagoula City Councilman Keith Belcher, Chairman of Pascagoula Excel by Five Coalition Brice Wiggins, and Chevron Public and Government Affairs Manager for Mississippi Steve Renfroe. |
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The EXCEL BY 5 program was featured in a Mississippi Economic Council Forum attended by more than 700 business leaders and educators. Chevron Pascagoula Refinery General Manager Roland Kell served as the keynote speaker for the "Mississippi Building Blocks" event held in Jackson. Roland was introduced by Save the Children Vice President Mark Shriver. |
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Soap Box Derby Brings Laughs, Fun for Local Children
 A good time was had by all last spring at the Deborah Washington Memorial Soap Box Derby, sponsored by Chevron. The Derby committee is already gearing up for another successful event full of fun and good-spirited competition in 2009.
For more info on how to order a soap box derby car kit, visit www.aasbd.com
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| Winner of the Superstock division Christina Stakowski gets a few racing pointers from Chevron Black Employee Network volunteers Lori Lewis and Paul Jones. |
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Two racers keep their eyes on the finish line as they speed down the track in cars made from derby kits. |
Renfroe Honored by Chamber of Commerce
  Chevron's Mississippi Public & Government Affairs Manager Steve Renfroe was recently honored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, receiving its top leadership award, the prestigious Jolly P. McCarty Award of Excellence in Leadership.
A Chamber panel decided Steve 'fits the mold' - he is a servant leader who forms a team and then cheers it on to winning, looks outside the box and listens before offering solutions. Chamber leaders said Steve is a "go-to person" who has championed early education.
An eighth-generation Mississippian, Steve is a lifelong resident of Moss Point and a graduate of Mississippi College with a degree in mathematics. He began his career teaching ninth grade at Magnolia Junior High in 1971. In 1975, he joined Chevron's Pascagoula Refinery, where he has worked in the laboratory and as an environmental specialist.
For the past eighteen years, Steve has represented Chevron in the community and serves as Chevron's Public and Government Affairs Manager for Mississippi. He is responsible for Chevron's community outreach, charitable contributions, business development, media relations, communications, and government relations in Mississippi. Currently president of the board of directors of United Way for Jackson and George Counties, Steve is a former Chairman of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, and the founding member of the EXCEL?BY?5 early childhood community certification program.
His passion for early childhood development is renowned on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After Hurricane Katrina Steve launched the Chevron Daycare Recovery program, ultimately enabling more than 4,000 children to return to their childcare centers. A member of Governor Barbour's Early Childhood Advisory Council, he has been an integral leader of Chevron's Energy for Learning program, which allocated $6 million to public schools and childcare centers affected by the storm. In 2006, the Mississippi Early Childhood Association honored Steve for his work to benefit young children, presenting him with the prestigious Swimmy Award.
Steve is a member of Governor Barbour's Energy Task Force, and Chairman of the capital campaign for the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi chapters of the National Audubon Society and the Foundation for Public Broadcasting.
His wife of 37 years, Debby, recently retired after 30 years of teaching public school kindergarten at Singing River Elementary in Gautier. They have one adult child, Robert.
Refinery Employees Volunteer at 'Ganza
Refinery employees and families represented Chevron by hosting a booth at the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza in Jackson. This consumer-oriented show is the largest of its kind in the state and attracts over 35,000 visitors annually. Proceeds from the wildlife show support the MWF's conservation education programs and promote ethical and safe sportsmanship, as well as stewardship of our natural resources.
Special thanks to all who lended a hand: Amy Brandenstein, Brian Campbell, Jim and Jocelyn Cupps, Kym Davis, Tammy and Kebo Lowery, Trudi Dixon, Donna and Mickey McDonald, Jim and Hannah Moran, Amy and Adam Seab, Debbie and Ricky Seab, Tanner and Katherine Swetman, Carin and Jeff Walls.
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Pictured Here (from left) Jim Cupps, Kebo Lowery, Tammy Lowery, Kym Davis, and Jocelyn Cupps. |
Employees Distribute Red Ribbons in Local Schools
Employee volunteers at the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery are dedicated to ensuring our children grow up in a safe and thriving community. Almost fifty employees volunteered to sponsor Red Ribbon Week October 20 - 26 to educate local children about the danger of drugs.
Thanks to this hard-working group of employees, all Jackson and George County school-aged children received red ribbons to promote drug awareness during the week. The ribbons, donated by Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, were also distributed to numerous other schools in South Mississippi and Alabama.
Thank you to all employees who donated their time to participate in this important program for the community!
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To educate students at Magnolia Junior High School in Moss Point about the danger of doing drugs, Chevron's Rickey McCorvey distributed red ribbons for all students to wear. Pictured here: Magnolia Junior High Assistant Principal Lynn Nettles, 8th Grade Team Leader Jessie McCorvey, Chevron's Rickey McCorvey, Principal Robert Likely, and 8th Grade student Tiffany McCorvey. |
Finance Department Lends a Hand at WAMA
Members of the Pascagoula Refinery's Finance Department recently pitched in to help the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) in Ocean Springs, as the museum prepared for two annual events: "After School Art" classes and the opening of the "Shearwater at 80" exhibition.
Before getting to work, the volunteers ate lunch with WAMA staff and toured the new exhibition with guest curator Douglas Myatt and museum director Gayle Petty-Johnson.
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| Pictured here after a long day's work are (from left): Brandon Gray, Jeff Wasko, Sharon Ahlberg, Chito Padi, Elizabeth Swinney, Cassie Inabinett, Regina Castoe, Ashley Forestieri, Sandra Upshaw, Angie Dees, Melissa Johnson, Ann White, Nadia Triplett, Brian Stahl, Judi Lipscomb, and Ed Gaborski. |
Judi Lipscomb and Finance Manager Jeff Wasko, who is also a member of the WAMA Board of Directors, show the power of teamwork. |
Chito Padi, Estela Angeles-Lasala and Elizabeth Swinney pause for a quick photo in between jobs cleaning the grounds, removing storm windows, and washing windows at both the Art Cottage and museum. |
2009 Community Events Calendar
- March 7 - Jackson County Heart Walk. 8:30 am @ Beach Park in Pascagoula.
- May 15 - Pascagoula Relay for Life
- May 16 - Deborah Washington Memorial Soap Box Derby @ Main Street in Moss Point
- October 17 - Mississippi Coastal Cleanup www.masgc.org/cleanup
- Oct. 18 - 25 - Red Ribbon Week
For more info on any of these events, contact Chevron Public Affairs at 228-938-4563
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