Page 210 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2016

THEFINALSAY BRUCE
CHINN
General Manager,
Chevron Pascagoula Re nery
When my wife and I relocated to Pascagoula in 2014, neither of us knew quite what awaited. Sandra and I are both native Texans, so we were looking forward to finally living in the South again after assignments in California and Venezuela. We suspected people would be friendly (after all, this is the ‘hospitality state’), the food would be delicious, and the summers would be hot.
What we weren’t prepared for was the countless treasures we’ve found that are part of the fabric of the local culture and landscape. A diner in Pascagoula serves up short stacks of maple-flavored nostalgia, with each pancake reminding me of meals in my mother’s kitchen. From oak- canopied Main Street sidewalks, spectators can enjoy the competitive intensity and the steely glares of seven year olds locked in fierce double-elimination competition at the Soap Box Derby in downtown Moss Point. And there is
no shortage of access and appreciation for art and culture through venues such as the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the George Ohr Museum, or the countless galleries and festivals available across the Coast.
Professionally, I have also been impressed with the relationships between businesses and local residents, government, non-profit organizations and environmental stewardship groups. There is a strong sense of partnership, a recognition that all of these groups have a stake in making our community, city, Coast and state the absolute best.
The people at our Pascagoula Refinery work hard to be good neighbors and responsible corporate citizens. We make deliberate efforts to purchase supplies and services from local vendors, and spent $261 million with Jackson
County businesses last year. We partner with organizations such as Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the Central Gulf Industrial Alliance to make sure we have a trained, talented and competitive local workforce. We
are very active in the Chamber of Commerce, and our employees invest more than 7,000 volunteer hours each year.
While national media continues to report uncertainty in the oil and gas industry around the world, I can tell you that the work at the Pascagoula Refinery and Chevron’s commitment to this community is unwavering. More than 1,500 employees and another 2,000 or so contractors come to work at the refinery every day with one goal in mind
— to safely and reliably manufacture energy products that will fuel progress and economic prosperity.
You might be surprised to know the global impact your local refinery has. We supply almost all of the jet fuel used by Tampa International Airport; are the sole supplier of fuels to Panama; are Jackson County’s largest tax payer; and account for one-third of all Mississippi exports.
While our industry faces challenges, I see signs of optimism and growth in our local economy. I think business and industry — large, medium and small — can look forward to continued improvements and prosperity in the future.
210 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2016
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