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Celebrating 60 Years in our Community

Community Connection Comes Full Circle for Jim Joaquin

March 20, 2021

Established in 1965, Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development, better known as LA SED, is an advocacy and social service agency that addresses the unique needs of the residents of Southwest Detroit, home to the largest concentration of Hispanics in Southeastern Michigan. It’s also one of several area organizations that’s benefiting from an initiative put forth by Detroit General Manager Dave Leaver, encouraging his Leadership Team to be more involved in the community.

“It’s important having my staff directly involved with organizations in the community to open their eyes to the needs and concerns that are going on out there,” says Leaver. “As they are more involved with the community, more involved with nonprofits, it broadens their view of the things that are important outside the facility and in the community in which we operate.”

Leaver identified Jim Joaquin, who had recently relocated back to his childhood hometown to become the Detroit refinery controller, as an ideal candidate to be more involved outside the fence line. In his short time working at the refinery, he stood out as someone with a passion to help others.

“Jim is remarkable in his care for people,” says Leaver. “He really wants to be engaged not just as a Controller for the plant. He wants to be connected to our employees and be successful outside the plant.”

Joaquin’s parents grew up in the Detroit area, living in several neighborhoods. When Joaquin was born, they settled in Southgate where he lived until he was 18. He recalls passing the refinery in his youth and being impressed. Now, working at the very place he admired, Joaquin immediately embraced the request to engage with his neighbors.

“When LA SED initially approached Marathon about getting involved, they said what do you think of this guy? And they sent me a very brief bio on Jim, and I said well, we’d love to meet him,” says LA SED Director Mary Carmen Muñoz. “Turns out Jim is the kind of member that every organization wants on their board.”

“The opportunity to become a board member of LA SED was a real ‘wow’ moment,” expressed Joaquin,  who not only serves as the Detroit refinery’s Controller but the same position for the Canton refinery. Prior to the invitation to join the board, however, Joaquin admits he was unfamiliar with LA SED. Excited about the position, he asked his parents if they knew anything about the organization.

The response they gave brought everything full circle.

For the first time, Joaquin learned about a tough chapter in his family’s history. In 1982, when Joaquin was five years old, the Ford Motor Company had laid off his father, who had been a millwright at the Detroit plant.

“When you’re a kid, your parents always try to shield you and do the best they can to keep you from pain,” said Joaquin. “When I look back, the pieces fit together. My dad was laid off. It was getting to a point where he wasn’t finding any work. Everything was running out and they were concerned.”

It was a family friend who recommended LA SED as a possible source of support – a recommendation that proved life saving for the Joaquin’s. LA SED embraced the family and helped his dad land a job at the local tank plant until Ford began hiring people back.

“If LA SED was not there, I can’t tell you what would have happened between then and when Ford called my dad back. Thankfully, LA SED existed, and we were pointed in their direction. They took my dad in and they said ‘we’re going to find you an opportunity.’ For me to find that out, I’m now personally invested.”

It’s a story Muñoz was unaware of as well.

“Mary didn’t know until I relayed the connection I had discovered. She was taken back.”

“It amazes me that he did not know that story,” adds Muñoz. “As parents, when you are going through a financial crisis of any kind, you want to make sure your child’s life is as normal as possible. That reflects on his family and an excellent job that they did to keep him from knowing that they were really struggling. He is a product of a family that was strong, that was tight knit, and not only gave to the community, but also was in a position to receive help and assistance. They took the opportunities that LA SED gave them.”

On the circumstances that brought Joaquin to LA SED, Leaver says “I’m not sure if it’s divine intervention or not, but it’s just awesome how it worked out.”

Support of LA SED for Joaquin has truly become personal. For him, it’s truly giving back.

The organization serves more than 5,000 individuals on an annual basis, but Muñoz will tell you the numbers have exponentially increased due to COVID-19. They offer a broad range of programming, including youth enrichment and sports and fitness, bilingual/bicultural classes, a robust slate of senior citizen offerings, translation and pro-bono legal consultations, and immigration services and basic human needs. All offered to a clientele that is 90% Hispanic, with 98% living at, or below the poverty level.

“When I look at the organization, I see more than LA SED. I see my childhood; I see my parents,” says Joaquin. “This is where my roots are.”

Detroit Refinery’s Honor Sheard Recognized as 2020 ‘MFG Woman of the Year’ by Michigan Manufacturers Association

February 1, 2021

Honor Sheard, environment, safety and security manager at Marathon Petroleum Company’s (MPC) Detroit refinery, is receiving statewide recognition as the 2020 MFG Woman of the Year by the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

The MFG Excellence Awards is an annual ceremony that celebrates the exceptional contributions that Michigan manufacturers make to their workforces, communities, the economy and the industry.

“Honor is essential in helping drive the culture and commitment to operational excellence at the Detroit Refinery. She spends a lot of time out in the field working with the team that keeps things running daily,” said Detroit refinery general manager Dave Leaver. “She inspires us all to work harder and be the best we can be.”

Sheard makes supporting her team a top priority. She has assisted five other women in navigating their first supervisory positions by supporting them professionally and boosting their confidence.

“As a female leader in a male-dominated industry, everything I do is magnified,” said Sheard,. “My words and actions are used strategically to create the expectations for future female leaders.”

She actively offers women throughout the organization to share their thoughts and opinions. Sheard worked to create the refinery’s first Women’s Unity Network as the leadership sponsor.  The network breaks down barriers and educates women on how to shake off the “imposter syndrome,” which causes them to feel that they are not as competent as they are perceived by others. Members are encouraged to understand and value their hard work and worth within the company. Sheard sparks discussion and encourages female leadership by hosting discussions on articles, pay practices, philanthropy and diversity seminars that can assist women at the refinery to establish and achieve their career goals.

Watch Honor’s Award Video: Honor Sheard – Marathon Petroleum Company (2020 MFG Excellence Awards) – YouTube

“As a female who transitioned from one predominately male profession to another, Honor is a role model, mentor and supporter of females,” said Detroit refinery security coordinator and member of the Women’s Unity Network Whitney Walton. “She is a sponsor and advocate of our Women’s Network at the refinery and a personal champion for me.”

Sheard leads several environmental and safety initiatives at the refinery.  She considers environmental advocacy to be central to her role, aligning directly with MPC’s commitment to produce petroleum-based products with minimal environmental impact and well within the parameters of all state and federal regulations.

In the 20 years she has worked for MPC, her passion and commitment have supported a nearly 80 percent reduction in emissions at the Detroit refinery. Sheard played a critical role in the refinery’s accomplishment of one full year without either an employee or contractor OSHA recordable injury; a difficult feat at manufacturing facilities. Her team also implemented an easy-to-use QR code system that allows all employees and contractors to report Near Miss Events, which are potential hazards detected and corrected before anyone is harmed. This system immediately notifies supervision and area owners so they can quickly alleviate potential hazards. This program was instrumental in creating a safe work environment and empowers employees at all levels to speak up when they notice issues.

 

Michigan Refinery Division Employees Embrace Adopt-A-Family Program in Detroit

January 13, 2021

Refinery-wide participation in the Adopt-A-Family campaign helped ensure a happy holiday for a number of Detroit-area families.

Detroit refinery employees personally donated nearly $17,000 to support 20 families, including 54 children. The funds were used to purchase winter clothing, boots, household necessities and toys to help address both the family’s needs and wants for the season.

 “It was inspiring to see each department so excited and eager to support their families,” said Dynita McCaskill, a field operator at the refinery. “The planning and shopping for Adopt-A-Family was one of the best team building activities I have ever participated in.”

API President and CEO Mike Sommers Tours Detroit Refinery

October 23, 2020

The Detroit refinery welcomed American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers for a tour of the facility.

 Sommers requested a tour of the refinery so he could see their world-class petroleum coke processing unit and learn more about their investments in surrounding communities. While there he spoke with refinery leadership, including general manager Dave Leaver, about their comprehensive environmental improvements, like the flare-gas recovery system that now serves as a model for other refineries across the country. Sommers remarked that the Detroit refinery is an impressive facility and spoke highly about their recognition as a leader in environmental, health and safety performance as well as their six decades-long contributions to city of Detroit and state of Michigan.

API is the largest U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry. It represents nearly 600 corporations involved in production, refinement, distribution, and many other aspects of the petroleum industry.

Detroit Refinery Supports Pollution Prevention Week

September 22, 2020

The Detroit refinery proudly supports Michigan Governor Whitmer’s Pollution Prevention Week by highlighting our commitment to reduce emissions and improve air quality across the state.

We’ve invested $350 million in environmental and safety improvements over the past decade to enable us to produce cleaner fuels and products with less environmental impact than ever before. As illustrated in the “Detroit Refinery Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions” chart, the Detroit refinery has operated at more than 40% below its yearly permitted emission levels for the past 15 years; and it has reduced its emissions by 80% over the past 20 years.

Other examples of improvements at the Detroit refinery include:

  • As part of a consent decree, we partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement several measures to lower emissions. The refinery installed a flare-gas recovery system that minimizes emissions by recovering gases and returning them to process equipment. The EPA considered the solution a model practice and shared Marathon’s advancements with refining companies nationwide, improving air quality at refineries across the country.
  • Installed a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in 2015 that allows for full treatment of industrial water before further processing at the Great Lakes Water Authority, and reduces industrial waste traveling through the local sewer system.
  • Implemented a program that reuses our refinery discharge water onsite, reducing both our discharge and overall water consumption.
  • Continue to help improve Michigan’s air quality by producing gasoline and diesel fuel that beats the strictest EPA standards for ultra-low sulfur fuels, resulting in lower vehicle emissions. The Detroit refinery produces approximately 25% of the transportation fuel used in Michigan, so the impact on reduced emissions and improved air quality across the state is considerable.

Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery is one of 24 businesses engaged in heavy industry in this part of Southwest Detroit. And as a business leader in the region, we accept the responsibility to manage our impact on the environment, in every aspect. This commitment has driven our success in dramatically reducing emissions from our both our production processes and the use of our products.

We’re proud to call Southwest Detroit our home. We’ve been part of this community for 60 years, and we’re just getting started.

New Round of Giving in Southwest Detroit Brings 2020 Contributions to More Than $350,000

September 8, 2020

New Round of Giving in Southwest Detroit Brings 2020 Contributions to More Than $350,000

Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC) announced several community-benefit grants to support Southwest Detroit and drive tangible community change. Recent gifts are highlighted by a donation of $45,000 to Detroit At Work’s Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) program.

MPC’s year-to-date contributions amount to $351,000 to a variety of Detroit-area organizations.

“It’s Marathon’s job to fuel the community, which includes being a good neighbor and supporting Southwest Detroit,” said Detroit Refinery general manager Dave Leaver. “We’re proud of the work we do with and for Detroit residents.”

The Marathon Petroleum Foundation is funding GDYT over 2 years, providing technology, and supplies for GDYT participants. Marathon’s Detroit Refinery previously established a partnership with Detroit at Work in an effort to prepare and hire more Detroiters for refinery operations roles. MPC plans to provide in-kind support by conducting information sessions, hosting resume and interview workshops, and encouraging additional Detroit resident applications during hiring processes. The youth from the GDYT program will serve as a talent pipeline for Detroit at Work job listings.

MPC recently made over $15,000 in additional contributions to organizations dedicated to the Southwest Detroit infrastructure, educational resources and basic needs. Community organizations receiving grants include:

  • Alternatives for Girls: Detroit Public School students were given laptops for the transition to virtual learning. Unfortunately, the majority of Alternatives for Girls (AFG) families do not have access to or cannot afford internet, making accessing the school website and virtual classes nearly impossible. AFG received $10,240 from the Marathon Petroleum Foundation to fund the purchase of mobile hotspots for all 32 AFG families. Families will receive a mobile hotspot and a one-year subscription to accompany it. Funds will also support their distance learning platform to serve school-age girls in southwest Detroit and provide direct assistance with food security.
  • The Perry Outreach Center: The Perry Outreach Center primarily serves the citizens of Southwest Detroit’s 48217 zip code. Recognizing that residents in this area often do not receive social services and do not have easily accessible government offices, police stations or grocery stores, the Perry Outreach Center is a resource center for those in need. MPC donated $4,500 to support food, health, secure living places, education and social enrichment programs through the Center.
  • Friends of the Rouge: Received $1,000 to support environmental conservation projects from MPC.

 Additionally, refinery employees are participating in MPC’s matching gift program, which matches employee donations. This allows employees to support qualifying non-profit organizations in which they personally believe. To date, more than $87,000 has been donated to organizations that have an impact on the Southwest Detroit Community by employees.

MPC and its employees are active supporters of Southwest Detroit, a community we have been a part of for more than 60 years.

 

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