Winter 2011/2012 - Tiffin University

steadily, his role in a 1998 venture withAshland particularly sculpted his status.In the 1990s, Marathon’s leaderssaw a need to become more efficient intransporting oil to wholesalers and retailersin the Midwest. Heminger helpedthem do that by identifying Ashlandas a partner for a joint venture. He alsonegotiated the contracts which formedthe Marathon and Ashland venture.It was a huge success. It savedcosts in oil transportation, and broadenedprofit margins. It also acceleratedHeminger’s rise.“It propelled my career,” he said.He became president of MarathonAshland Petroleum in 2001, and wenton to become president of MarathonPetroleum Co. in 2005.Heminger grew up in Tiffin, thesecond of seven children. While helearned one aspect of the businessworld from his father, he absorbedother parts from his mother.“She was a terrific businesswomanto be able to manage that big of a business,seven kids, get us through school,and then she worked part-time herself,”Heminger said.Under her tutelage, young Garybecame practiced in leading.“She gave me responsibility earlyon to help look after some of my brothersand sisters. And I think that helpeddevelop me,” he said.“Being the second oldest, my jobwas always to keep an eye out, makingsure that everybody was together, makingsure everything is kind of comingalong. To be able to make a family ofseven work, you had to have everybodypulling together, and I think we did.”His family experience and prideextends to his employees. In late 1997,Ashland leaders and New York lawyerswanted to have their “factory” of lawyers,paralegals and assistants do thework of closing the joint venture.Heminger would have none of it.“I said, ‘No, we’re going to closethis transaction in Findlay, Ohio....We have a factory of people with thestrongest work ethic you will ever see,’”Heminger said.Findlay’s Marathon employees“got to get in and work on this, andthere was nobody in New York or nobodyin Boston or nobody in Washington,D.C., that was going to outperformthem,” he said.The deal was closed in Findlay.“You never see him with a dominant,elitist attitude. It’s always, ‘We’rea team,’” Frank said. “He works withthem until midnight, 2 a.m., whatever ittakes to get the job done. People wantto do that for the right people.”Heminger called being a topexecutive humbling. He said it is a24-hour-a-day job, but he was not referringonly to himself.“You can’t be a top executive withouthaving a top executive at home,”he said, referring to his wife.“She runs the entire household...She’s the home executive. And there’sno question, she has been in charge ofraising and helping educate our childrenand done a great job. And now she’sworking hard on the grandkids. You haveto have that teamwork at home.”Heminger also said being a topexecutive is “a lot of fun.”“I have loved every day of the 36-plus years I have worked for Marathon,”Heminger said. “I get up wanting tocome to work. I just enjoy the people Iwork with. I enjoy what we do. I enjoyworking in the commercial space, andworking with customers.”This article appeared in The Courier,Findlay OH, June 20111980’sLinda Bourne Davis, Class of 1983,Fostoria, Ohio, is a Real Estate SalesAgent/Investor for American Heritage.Her husband, Thomas, is an IntelligenceEngineer for the U.S. Army. Lindawrote, “Returning to school during arecession doesn’t seem uncommontoday, but I finished school during therecession of 1981. My education hasled me throughout Northwest Ohio;working for many different companies. Iam fortunate to have the expertise thatI received at TU that many graduatesnever received.”Theresa Nibblett, Class of 1984,Lorton, Virginia, writes, “I retired fromthe federal government after almost 30years of service. I am now a contractemployee with the Department of State,Diplomatic Security Service, and Officeof Anti-Terrorism Assistance. I am aCurriculum Project Manager and handlea portfolio of five Homeland Securitycourses that are delivered to foreignlaw enforcement and security officialsall over the world.” Theresa’s husband,Donald, is a Senior Intelligence Analystfor the U.S. Army.Larry E. Hoffman, Class of 1986,Bluffton, Ohio, is Chief Financial Officerof First National Bank of Pandora. Hehas been a certified public accountantfor more than 24 years. Hoffman and hiswife, Marcy, have three children.Barbara Lockard, Class of 1988, Findlay,Ohio, was re-elected to the Findlayschool board. She has served on theboard since 2008 and is its vice president.A licensed Realtor, Lockard is themarketing assistant for the College ofEducation and Science at the Universityof Findlay. She previously was directorof marketing and public relations forBlanchard Valley Health System, andwas the communications director forUnited Way of Hancock County. Lockardand her husband have two children.ClassSceneWINTER 2011 / 12 | CHALLENGE | 49