2024 Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 10 - Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051

Please click on the session titles below to view the full session descriptions. Please note all times are CST.

Schedule of Sessions and Special Events


Sunday March 10, 2024

12:00 pm - 07:30 pm Registration

05:30 pm - 07:30 pm Welcome Reception


Monday March 11, 2024

07:00 am - 05:00 pm Registration

07:30 am - 08:45 am Government Relations Breakfast
 
Sen. Steve Daines photo Sen. Steve Daines
Office of Sen. Steve Daines

Monday Breakfast

09:30 am - 10:30 am Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote - Chairman's Welcome:

Leadership Award Presentation:

President's Report, State of Association:

Keynote Presentation
 
Will Hurd photo Will Hurd
Managing Director; Former U.S. Congressional Representative
Allen & Company LLC
Biography

10:30 am - 11:30 am General Session
 
Nate Silver

11:30 am - 01:00 pm Monday Lunch

Women in Industry Luncheon - Sponsored by Ketjen Corporation

Character-based leadership and ethical decision making – Empowering Women in Industry

A strong leader is defined by their unwavering moral ethical values, resilience in the face of adversity, and the ability to act with integrity, honesty and loyalty despite pressures to deviate or to be more like the other leaders around them. Character-based leadership is an approach that centers on the ethical dimensions of leadership. Leaders who adhere to this philosophy recognize that their decisions and actions have lasting impacts on individuals, organizations, and society. One's character is created, whereas leadership is learned. Come ready to learn the benefits of leading with character.

Open to registered women attendees only. RSVP by March 8.
 
Ruthe Farmer
Founder & CEO
Last Mile Education Fund

01:00 pm - 02:00 pm General Session
 
Margaret Brennan

02:00 pm - 03:00 pm General Session
 
Dr. Amrita Sen
Founder & Director of Research
Energy Aspects

03:00 pm - 04:30 pm General Session
 
Cooper Ericksen photo Cooper Ericksen
Senior Vice President, Product, BEV and Mobility Planning and Strategy
Biography


Tuesday March 12, 2024

07:00 am - 08:30 am Tuesday Breakfast

07:00 am - 12:00 pm Registration

07:45 am - 08:45 am World Refining Outlook General Session
 
Ms. Susan Grissom photo Ms. Susan Grissom
VP & Chief Industry Analyst
AFPM
 
Mr. John R. Auers photo Mr. John R. Auers
Managing Director
RBN Energy
Biography
 
Mr. Debnil Chowdhury photo Mr. Debnil Chowdhury
VP Head of Western Hemisphere Fuels & Refining Research
S&P Global
Biography
 
Mr. Alan Gelder photo Mr. Alan Gelder
Vice President Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets
Wood Mackenzie
Biography

09:00 am - 10:00 am Renewables: Navigating the Future: A Roadmap for Integrating Renewable Fuel Investments - Renewable fuels are gaining momentum in the US downstream market. Projects are riding a wave of supporting regulations and investments by refiners to reposition their portfolios to capture new opportunities. In this panel discussion, we will review recent developments in the North America renewables space, the economics of typical projects, and the various technology routes being pursued and further developed.
 
Mr. Jeffrey Sexton photo Mr. Jeffrey Sexton
Refining Technology Director
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Biography
 
Tim Fitzgibbon photo Tim Fitzgibbon
McKinsey & Company
Biography
 
Austin Lin photo Austin Lin
Principal Analyst, Refining & Oils Markets
Wood Mackenzie
Biography
 
Mr. Scott Sayles photo Mr. Scott Sayles
Manager of Renewable Fuels and Alternative Feeds
Becht
Biography

Sponsored Content: Honeywell UOP -
Title: Monetizing Lower-Cost Hydrogen and Lower-Value Naphtha

As the world progresses towards higher levels of decarbonization, we are witnessing a structural shift in the oil refining and petrochemicals industry. Many old, less efficient assets are being shuttered, while larger, integrated and more efficient R&P complexes are being developed. New complexes are positioned to off-set traditional refined fuel imports and extend into petrochemicals for a higher quality of debt service, while brownfield refineries are starting to shift their production. Whether new or old, all facilities are being challenged to do more with less and drive decarbonization. This almost always involves hydrogen and whether it is used for its chemical or fuel value. Join this presentation to learn more about how we can better leverage proven refining technologies to accelerate the shift towards chemicals. Learn some of the puts-and-takes associated with different hydrogen strategies, and how to leverage the UOP Six Efficiencies (E6) as a framework to improve the efficiency of your project, while consuming less feedstock and producing less CO2 per tone of product.


Title: Sustainability Investments: Changing Perspectives on How We Think About Catalyst Reloads

Refining across the energy transition is challenged to reduce carbon footprint, while at the same time ensuring that investments are bankable and supported by the shareholders. Large capital projects can be challenging in this environment. However, catalyst reloads are universally accepted as an ongoing business expense. Reloads have traditionally been focused on yields and selectivity at the process unit level. This view needs to change. To help balance customer wants and needs in pursuit of bankable projects, we have developed the UOP Six Efficiencies Framework, which includes the tradeoffs between 1) Carbon, 2) Hydrogen, 3) Utilities, 4) Emissions, 5) Water – treated as a scarce resource, each in tension with 6) Capital. In this presentation, we will discuss how the Six Efficiencies can be used to help understand the impact that catalyst reloads can have on site or enterprise-wide sustainability performance.
 
Mr. Keith Couch photo Mr. Keith Couch
Senior Director - Business Development
Honeywell UOP
Biography
 
Ms Angela Osborne photo Ms Angela Osborne
GM, Hydroprocessing & Renewables
Honeywell UOP
Biography

Value of AI/ML Applications for Advance Process Controls -
This session will focus on various approaches, value propositions, and considerations for applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance process controls. Topics will include what is achievable through unit optimization, benefit estimation, how to set-up your project for success and long-term sustainability. The panel will present unique prospectives of technology available as well as an owners view on what it takes to be successful, and lessons learned.
 
Mr. Thomas H. Chunat photo Mr. Thomas H. Chunat
Founder
Gulf Coast Energy Advisors
Biography
 
Mr. Gilad Cohen photo Mr. Gilad Cohen
CEO and Co-founder
Imubit, Inc.
Biography
 
Dr. Khush Nariman photo Dr. Khush Nariman
Partner
McKinsey & Company
Biography
 
Regan Howell
VP - COO
Monroe Energy, LLC
Biography
 
Mr. Habib Quazi
Global Aromatics Marketing Manager
Biography

09:00 am - 11:00 am Board of Directors Meeting -
By Invitation Only

10:30 am - 11:30 am Applying AI/GenAI to Refinery Maintenance and Operations - This panel will discuss what is possible when artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are applied to your existing maintenance records, processes, and knowledge base as your workforce evolves. Case studies of potential applications as well as real experiences will be recounted.
 
Sterling Neblett photo Sterling Neblett
Vice President & General Manager, Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Biography
 
John Campbell
Sr. Director Product Management
AspenTech
Biography
 
Will Booth photo Will Booth
Principal
BCG
Biography
 
Harnish Jani photo Harnish Jani
Managing Director and Partner
BCG
Biography
 
Shirley Ike photo Shirley Ike
Global Director, Digital Consulting
Wood
Biography

Human Centric Leadership Session - Sponsored by Monroe Energy

Topic: Leading Culture: How to Be the Leader People Choose to Follow

Every day, people inside our organizations choose how to work, whether or not to commit, and who to follow. As leaders, our awareness, behavior and communications set the tone for these choices. How we reveal our humanity can positively impact the cultures people experience and the choices they make. Join certified executive coach D. Mark Schumann to explore how we can reach beyond managing the fundamentals of the business to shape the potential of the cultures we lead.
 
Mrs. Tiera Lacorte photo Mrs. Tiera Lacorte
P&O Business Partner
Monroe Energy, LLC
Biography
 
Mr. Mark Schumann photo Mr. Mark Schumann
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Biography

SAF: Managing the ABC's of SAF -
Multi-Industry ESG commitments present the fuel production industry with a challenge to reduce the Carbon Intensity (CI) of produced fuels. Recent government incentives encouraging the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will contribute to meeting these commitments. This session will cover all there is to know about SAF. From why the industry would do it, what it takes to make it, produce it and sell it. We will have a panel made of industry experts to cover these topics in addition to whatever questions the audience sends their way. You will not want to miss this opportunity to get your SAF knowledge up to date!
 
Mr. Eric M Legare photo Mr. Eric M Legare
Team Lead, Refinery Systems and Sustainability
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Biography
 
Mr. Gregory Savage
VP Sales
Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
 
Delbert R Grotewold photo Delbert R Grotewold
Renewable Fuels SME
Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Biography
 
Mr Priyesh Thakker photo Mr Priyesh Thakker
Principal Hydroprocessing Engineer
Topsoe, Inc.
Biography

12:00 pm - 02:00 pm Annual Luncheon - Featuring:
AFPM Distinguished Safety Awards
The Distinguished Safety Award (DSA) is AFPM’s most prestigious award. The DSA recognizes member companies that have attained an exemplary level of safety performance. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of members of the AFPM Safety and Health Committee. Join us for the announcement of the award winners!

Keynote Presentation

Price: $125

Open to registered attendees only. Tickets must be purchased by February 23. No tickets or same-day seating will be available on-site.

02:00 pm - 02:15 pm Coffee Break

02:15 pm - 03:15 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Key Issues in the 2024 Election Season
 
Mr. Geoff Moody photo Mr. Geoff Moody
Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Policy
AFPM
 
Jaime Zarraby photo Jaime Zarraby
Senior Vice President, Communications
AFPM
 
Ashlee R. Stephenson
President, AxAdvocacy
AxAdvocacy

Leadership: Workforce Leadership Training - Building A Winning Team -
Today’s work environment is increasingly interconnected and collaborative, and teamwork is essential to meet goals and achieve results—trouble is, most teams have some dysfunction making it difficult for them to bring forth their best work. Successful teams consistently demonstrate five essential behaviors: trust, conflict, commitment, accountability and collective results.

Based on the work of Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, this session has a simple goal: to learn and practice behaviors that will help you to be a more impactful leader and lead a more effective, productive, and cohesive team.
 
Jolie Rhinehart photo Jolie Rhinehart
GM, San Francisco Refinery
Phillips 66
 
Deseri Garcia photo Deseri Garcia
President, Vida Aventura
Biography

Workplace Safety: The Next Generation Workplace Safety -
For decades, we have related to safety as the absence of incidents, injuries and damage. If nothing went wrong and nobody got hurt, we assumed the work must have been done safely. Thought around modern safety has us look from a different perspective. Now, safety is seen as a presence, rather than an absence, prompting the question: “The presence of what?”

In this interactive session, we will explore the essential elements of a safety culture and approach that result in creating the work environment we want, not just preventing what we don’t want. By embracing the principles of human performance, new safety science, and psychological & behavioral safety, we will share and discuss the most effective practices adopted by leaders in client organizations to cause and to deliver safer workplaces.
 
Sterling Neblett photo Sterling Neblett
Vice President & General Manager, Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Biography
 
Alan Palmer photo Alan Palmer
Global Practice Lead
JMJ
Biography

03:15 pm - 03:30 pm Coffee Break

03:30 pm - 04:30 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Emergency Response: Fluorine Free Fire Fighting Foam - What You Should Know
 
Mr Thomas Noah photo Mr Thomas Noah
Refinery Director
Countrymark Cooperative Holding Corporation
Biography
 
Mr. Fritz Kin photo Mr. Fritz Kin
Director of Refining Safety, Security & Emergency Response
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Biography

Hydrogen: Progressing the Hydrogen Economy through Transformative Projects -
In this presentation Air Products will describe announced projects in renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. These projects are designed with the next generation of hydrogen production technologies, including ATR or POX with CO2 capture, water electrolysis and hydrogen carriers. Air Products has made a significant commitment in first-mover hydrogen projects, leading the industry with a portfolio of technologies and expertise to ensure the future climate benefits generated by these projects come online at a crucial moment in the energy transition.
 
Mr. Jeffrey Sexton photo Mr. Jeffrey Sexton
Refining Technology Director
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Biography
 
Roger Dewing photo Roger Dewing
Executive Director of Carbon Management
Air Products and Chemicals
Biography

Sponsored Content: Detect Technologies