GARYVILLE — Jason Cancienne graduated high school in 1976 and started applying for positions at various refineries in the area.

The St. John the Baptist Parish resident started working construction projects at different facilities, gaining experience in the electrical field. During a major expansion at Marathon Petroleum in 1979, he was hired on as an electrician.

Four decades later — through his aptitude and the company’s promotion-from-within strategy — Cancienne has found a home at the Garyville refinery.

“The only way to build your status in this company is by developing knowledge in multiple trades,” Cancienne said.

“By doing so, I became construction supervisor in Turnaround Planning and have had no regrets. Marathon Petroleum’s benefits and advancement opportunities have put me in a good position in successfully building a family.”

Cancienne said next month marks 37 years with Marathon Petroleum, in which time he has gotten married, raised four boys and now enjoys seven grandchildren.

“The only thing I can say is ‘thank you, Marathon Petroleum’ for the wonderful opportunity you have given me,” Cancienne told L’OBSERVATEUR.

The electrical department supervisor does not have an odd story when it comes to employee satisfaction, as evidenced by Forbes announcement in March that the “old-line energy giant” was America’s Best Employer.

According to Forbes, Marathon ranked at the top of its annual survey of America’s Best Employers. Conducted by research firm Statista, the survey asked workers to rate their company on 30 attributes. “Marathon ranked exceptionally well on Image and Diversity and very high on Wages and Workplace,” Forbes said.

Tracy Case, Refining General Manager in Garyville, said he joined the company in 1982 and jumped at the opportunity to work in St. John the Baptist Parish back then because new engineers could assume a lot of responsibility very quickly.

“I really liked my job, I was continuing to develop professionally and there were a lot of advancement opportunities,” he said. “I also really liked the company culture and values. It may sound hard to believe, but there was never a point in my career where I seriously considered jumping ship.”

Case acknowledges Marathon Petroleum is a large corporation with a lot of financial and technical resources; however, he cites the culture around personal accountability as a challenge and benefit.

“We are not big fans of corporate bureaucracy and just ‘doing what you are told,’” Case said.

“In Marathon Petroleum’s work environment, successful people have to function in a more self-directed manner. They will have the vision to see the big picture from a business perspective and figure out how to add value to the process.”

Case said Marathon plays several roles locally, but most significantly, as a major economic engine in the Parish.

“We are the largest employer and provide high-quality, high-paying jobs,” he said. “We are also the largest source of tax revenue to the Parish by a wide margin, but beyond this obvious financial role, our biggest obligation is to be a good corporate citizen.”

He said that begins by complying with all emission permits and minimizing the company’s environmental impact. Corporate citizenship, Case said, means company members are also engaged in the community.

“Our recent response with both financial aid and other community support activities by our employees following the tornado event earlier this year was a great example,” he said.

Case came back to Garyville in 2014 — his third assignment in St. John Parish.

His wife, Kim, grew up in Reserve and they met during his first assignment after college. Their daughter was born in LaPlace.

The assignment also provided a tremendous opportunity.

“The major expansion we completed in 2009 made Garyville the third largest refinery in the U.S. and the largest in Louisiana,” he said.

“It is truly an amazing asset with an outstanding workforce. Garyville is Marathon Petroleum’s flagship refinery. Being asked to lead this facility is a great privilege, and I am extremely proud to shoulder that responsibility. It is hard to convey to people what it is like to lead such a high performing organization. We have such great talent and outstanding leaders here, so that makes my job much easier, but no less satisfying.”