Spotlight on Leadership
Aggressive growth is always a challenge, but contemplating expansion during a recession seems like an invitation for disaster. But for the confident leadership team, that heads Tesoro Petroleum Corp., expansion has been the rule rather than the exception — regardless of what Wall Street recommends. The deal with Valero Energy Corp., which closed in May reinforces Tesoro's status as one of the dominant independent refiners in the country. It elevated the San Antonio-based company to 41st on the Convenience Store News list of Top 50 convenience store operators in North America.
Here's a look at the company's leading decision makers:
Bruce A. Smith
Chairman, President and CEO
As head of one of the leading independent refiners in the country, Smith has guided the independent refiner from its nascent steps in the retail marketing field to its emergence as a dominant West Coast fuel marketer. Under his watch, Tesoro nailed down several major acquisitions of refineries and convenience store assets from the likes of Valero Energy, Shell Oil Co. and BHP Hawaii. The company also landed a lucrative marketing deal to develop the Mirastar fuel brand on Wal-Mart properties on the West Coast. There are currently 80 Mirastar stations, and plans to build hundreds more over the coming years.
Smith joined Tesoro as chief financial officer before working his way up to president of the company's exploration and production business. He was named president and chief executive in 1995 and elected to the board of directors.
William T. Van Kleef
Executive Vice President and COO
Van Kleef joined Tesoro as vice president and treasurer in 1993. He was elected senior vice president and chief financial officer in September 1995 and was named as executive vice president in September 1996.
Greg Wright
Senior Vice President and CFO
Prior to joining Tesoro in 1995, Wright worked for 14 years at Valero Energy Corp. in various positions including vice president of business development, vice president of planning and vice president of investor relations.
Richard Parry
Senior Vice President, Retail
Parry was elevated to senior vice president of retail in 1999 after serving as vice president of marketing and sales for Tesoro Hawaii Corp. He has also served as vice president of marketing and sales for BHP Hawaii, which was acquired by Tesoro in 1998.
Thomas E. Reardon
Executive Vice President, Corporate Resources
With more than 27 years experience in various leadership positions in the petroleum industry, including more than 20 years with Tesoro, Reardon is responsible for providing leadership and management of the company's human resources, finance, and corporate relations activities.
James C. Reed Jr.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Reed joined Tesoro as staff attorney and assistant secretary in 1974 and previously served as executive vice president, general counsel and
secretary.
Here's a look at the company's leading decision makers:
Bruce A. Smith
Chairman, President and CEO
As head of one of the leading independent refiners in the country, Smith has guided the independent refiner from its nascent steps in the retail marketing field to its emergence as a dominant West Coast fuel marketer. Under his watch, Tesoro nailed down several major acquisitions of refineries and convenience store assets from the likes of Valero Energy, Shell Oil Co. and BHP Hawaii. The company also landed a lucrative marketing deal to develop the Mirastar fuel brand on Wal-Mart properties on the West Coast. There are currently 80 Mirastar stations, and plans to build hundreds more over the coming years.
Smith joined Tesoro as chief financial officer before working his way up to president of the company's exploration and production business. He was named president and chief executive in 1995 and elected to the board of directors.
William T. Van Kleef
Executive Vice President and COO
Van Kleef joined Tesoro as vice president and treasurer in 1993. He was elected senior vice president and chief financial officer in September 1995 and was named as executive vice president in September 1996.
Greg Wright
Senior Vice President and CFO
Prior to joining Tesoro in 1995, Wright worked for 14 years at Valero Energy Corp. in various positions including vice president of business development, vice president of planning and vice president of investor relations.
Richard Parry
Senior Vice President, Retail
Parry was elevated to senior vice president of retail in 1999 after serving as vice president of marketing and sales for Tesoro Hawaii Corp. He has also served as vice president of marketing and sales for BHP Hawaii, which was acquired by Tesoro in 1998.
Thomas E. Reardon
Executive Vice President, Corporate Resources
With more than 27 years experience in various leadership positions in the petroleum industry, including more than 20 years with Tesoro, Reardon is responsible for providing leadership and management of the company's human resources, finance, and corporate relations activities.
James C. Reed Jr.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Reed joined Tesoro as staff attorney and assistant secretary in 1974 and previously served as executive vice president, general counsel and
secretary.