Correction

In the Jan. 20 issue of The Progress page 14A, Valero Energy Corporation celebrates 30 years of excellence, the sentence that reads: “. . .PGA TOUR’s Valero Texas Open, which raised $175,000 million for children’s charities . . .should have been $175,000. The word “million” should not have been included. The Progress regrets any misunderstanding.

We will gladly correct any incorrect information (misspelled names/words not included) in this spot in the issue after it is brought to the attention of the editor - Rita Arnst at: theprogress@mysoutex.com

Valero Energy Corporation this month will celebrate 30 years of excellence as it commemorates its founding as a natural gas transportation company back in January 1980.

Since then, the company has seen innumerable changes – including the purchase of the Three Rivers Refinery in January 2002 - as Valero transitioned from its original businesses to become North America’s largest independent refining and marketing company. But the company’s culture of being good corporate citizens and sharing its success with the communities where it does business has remained constant.

“Valero was and continues to be a place of hard-working, committed and dedicated employees who believe in individual respect, personal and company success, and giving back to the community,” said Valero Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse. “At each location where we have operations, everyone has the chance to reflect on our company’s life and all of the success that has been built through the years. What makes this company successful is our ability to embrace change and be flexible.”

Ability to change and flexibility were necessary immediately upon Valero’s founding 30 years ago, when it restructured from the former LoVaca Gathering Co. As the company invested heavily to construct the Valero Bill Greehey Refinery in Corpus Christi its early years, it endured a tough financial environment. Later, in 1997, Valero spun off its natural gas and pipeline assets and started purchasing more petroleum refineries, building an independent refining network at the same time that many large oil companies were betting against the refining business.

Along the way, Valero amassed a network of 5,800 company-owned and branded wholesale outlets, making Valero one of the fastest-growing fuel brands in the country. It has also branched out into the production of renewable fuels, setting up a subsidiary to own and operate ethanol plants in the Midwest as well as a 50-megawatt wind farm at its McKee refinery near Dumas, Texas.

Throughout its three decades in business, Valero has won many national awards for corporate philanthropy and volunteerism, in addition to leading the nation in the number of OSHA safety certifications. It has long been known as a leading contributor to United Way campaigns and other charitable efforts in the communities where it does business. It is the title sponsor of the Valero Alamo Bowl college football game and the PGA TOUR’s Valero Texas Open, which raised $175,000 million for children’s charities in the Three Rivers area in 2009.

Now, as the company enters its fourth decade, it looks to the future to build on its record of excellence and prosperity.

“Bill Greehey, the company’s founding chairman and CEO, and all the former employees of the company have our thanks,” Klesse said. “We continue to build partnerships with all of our stakeholders, from our employees to our suppliers, customers and all of our communities where we live and work. We are a leader in our industry because of the expertise and excellence our employees bring to Valero. Our commitment to excellence will proudly continue another 30 years.”