Page 194 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2018

THEFINALSAY CHRIS
CAVOTE
General Manager,
Chevron Pascagoula Refinery
As I think about this special edition of this coastal lifestyle magazine — which features many businesses and industries on the Gulf Coast — I am reminded of the phrase “good corporate citizen.”
One of the things that struck me when I moved to Pascagoula earlier this year is the unique relationship businesses here have with their communities. Across the Mississippi Coast, business leaders genuinely seem to have
a strong drive to be good corporate citizens, and residents recognize and appreciate the essential role these companies play in sustaining and improving local quality of life. Mississippi is often described as “pro-business,” but what I
see is a shared commitment to make decisions and investments that move the Gulf Coast and state forward.
All of us at Chevron work hard to earn the title “good corporate citizen.” We deliver shareholder value while operating responsibly and ethically, and we strive to be true partners in the communities where we operate. Our refinery in Pascagoula is a great example of this.
Our Pascagoula facility plays an essential role in meeting energy needs on a local, regional and global scale. We are Chevron’s largest U.S. refinery, and every day we process almost 14 million gallons of crude oil. We manufacture gasoline and diesel, provide jet fuel to Tampa International Airport, and are a major supplier of fuels to the country of Panama. Our high-quality base oils are shipped around the world to be transformed into various commercial lubricants. Our chemical products are used to manufacture a myriad
of products we use every day, including medications, toys and athletic clothing. These are just a few examples of the impact our roughly 1,600 employees and approximately 2,000 contractors in Pascagoula have in the daily lives of people around the world.
Here in Mississippi, Chevron provides significant beneficial economic impact, more than $820 million in Jackson County just last year. We paid more than $44 million in property taxes for 2017, and have spent more than $1.7 billion with local vendors over the past five years.
I’m equally proud of the work our employees are doing in the community. In 2017, Pascagoula Refinery employees volunteered more than 12,000 hours with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Boys
& Girls Clubs and United Way. The company and our employees also donated more than $1 million to youth sports teams, local charities and non-profits. It is this combination of factors — our world-class products, economic impact and employees who put our company’s values into action — that makes us not just a good corporate citizen, but a good neighbor.
I believe the Gulf Coast is uniquely positioned for continued growth. This area boasts a diverse infrastructure, abundant natural resources and an educational system from pre-kindergarten through community college and universities to prepare tomorrow’s workforce. Local and state governments support innovation and investment with appropriate oversight and an openness to dialogue with stakeholders.
This year, Chevron marks 55 years of operation in Jackson County, and we see ourselves as long-term partners in progress. I’m optimistic about where Jackson County and the Gulf Coast are heading. Chevron
will continue to look for ways to support community initiatives that help our area prosper.
194 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2018 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net