02:30 PM
Valero Energy Corporation
Valero Energy CorporationFulfill your PE requirement at this Ethics for Engineers session.
We each have a responsibility to act with integrity and uphold the highest standards in all that we do. In this interactive session we will provide you with a tool to use when faced with an ethical decision as well as provide real world scenarios to practice making ethical decisions.
04:00 PM
This event is for attendees new to the industry or new to AFPM. It gives attendees the opportunity to interact with senior leaders to familiarize themselves with the industry and what to expect throughout the conference.
05:00 PM
Join us at the Grotto and LDR at the adjacent Convention Center for one swashbuckling bang-up time! This is not your typical opening networking event. Be sure to arrive in time to reunite with everyone you’ve missed seeing the past couple years in a fun, casual environment, the perfect kick-off to our long-awaited inaugural Summit and the perfect precursor to the new era of convention collaboration.
08:30 AM
Chet Thompson
President and CEO AFPMThe General Session on Day 1 will include AFPM President and CEO, Chet Thompson, awarding the AFPM Lifetime Service Award to two of your industry colleagues. This year’s awardees have made outstanding contributions to not only our industry, but also to AFPM for over 15 years. Congratulations to Willis Jernigan and Jeff Zurlo!
09:00 AM
John Auers
Executive Vice President RBN Energy LLCChet Thompson
President and CEO AFPM10:00 AM
Michelle Poler
"Fear Less, Do More: 100 Days of Fears”12:30 PM
Andy Woods (Facilitator)
Plant Manager Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPMichael Goranson
Turnaround Execution Coordinator INVISTADaniel Goulet
President, North America MobideoHear how INVISTA implemented a mobile work execution platform to improve their real-time visibility and performance during their Shutdown, Turnaround, Outages (STOs.) An overview of the case study will show how digitalizing work process led to operational excellence by:
- Connecting workers and enabling them to digitally receive detailed task definitions and supporting work package information in the field
- Connecting Managers and enabling them to receive real-time activity status information highlighting risks and supported better decision making
- Enabling data-driven Contractor Performance Management

Tim Chappell
VR Training Portfolio Lead Exxon Mobil CorporationOver the past 5 years VR safety training at ExxonMobil has gone from proof of concept to worldwide adoption. Overcoming the challenges of implementing a new training technology and building a value rich portfolio has resulted in many learnings that can help your organization navigate this new technology.
J. Mark Houdek
Director, Refinery of the Future and Sustainability in the Core Honeywell UOP LLCSponsored by: Honeywell UOP
At the conclusion of this presentation, the audience will take-away and /or be equipped with the following:
- A framework that can and used be used to evaluate future projects and measure the impact as related to financial and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) characteristics
- Strategies for consideration ranging from shifts in processing objectives to more tactical approaches that address Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
- Practical application of the strategies and tactics using real life commercial examples to illustrate the potential value that could be recognized
Rohan Dighe (Facilitator)
Process Monitoring and Optimization Engineer Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPMorgan Bowling
Industry Principal, Oil & Gas Seeq CorporationTrevor Lane
Optimization Engineer Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPYele Soyombo
Data Science Manager Ascend Performance Materials LLCBrian Scallan
Director, Business Process Improvement Ascend Performance Materials LLCThis session will present refining and petrochemical industry case studies and ROI metrics which demonstrate the importance of balancing investments across employees and technologies to improve business outcomes, capture SME knowledge, and attract young talent to manufacturing.
Participants will:
- Understand how analytics can help the company capture SME insights
- Get insights on how to begin the machine learning and analytics journey
01:30 PM
Kevin Smith
Chief Commercial Officer Canvass AIRobert Ohmes
Division Manager - Strategic Business Planning BechtAn estimated 40% of organizations fail to report significant business gains from AI. There are many reasons why AI fails to deliver on its promise, and the main reason is simply that companies start with challenges that are too big with many organizational complications and longer time to realize value. Instead, by starting small and targeting specific AI solutions that produce immediate business value, organizations can effectively take the first steps in their AI journeys while preparing their workforce for the more complex applications that unlock the full value of AI. As part of this presentation, we’ll explore a case study where engineers at an oil and gas company did just that. They started with a smaller opportunity, addressed it to provide immediate benefits and build trust within the organization, and then applied those learnings to adjacent challenges and assets to improve the overall asset reliability, safety and productivity at their upstream oil production facility. By making AI solutions practical for engineers and operators from the beginning, the workforce was able to scale AI across 20+ assets and processes, resulting in nearly $20M in benefits. Don’t make the mistakes of others, instead learn how to start on the right foot and to fast track your AI journey to success.
Michael Barham (Facilitator)
Principal Engineer, Refining Technologist Marathon Petroleum CorporationMark Hammer
OPA Product Management YokogawaDavid DeBari
Advanced Engineering Associate Exxon Mobil CorporationIn this session we will discuss in detail how the international code of marketing can help to ensure that digital formulization is used appropriately. This track will also discuss lessons learned during the first year of execution that have already begun consolidating. This session will also discuss the future of digital formulization and which industry capabilities require such computing.
Participants will
- Gain an understanding of how to utilize innovations and new technologies
- Develop remote planning skills
- Structure the need for in the field manpower
Gerard Celestine (Facilitator)
Maintenance Support Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCHerb Haught (Facilitator)
Manager, Maintenance & Reliability CVR Energy, Inc.Bobby Tupper
Maintenance Excellence Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCMark Hutton
Category Manager- Services Motiva Enterprises LLCSteve Brisendine
Vice President of Maintenance Operations Echo Maintenance LLCThis panel discussion will breakdown each step in the process of choosing the right contractors, and the factors to consider while evaluating their performance once onboard. We will also explore the roles and actions of team members in choosing the best contractors, building the essential KPI’s and Health checks, the frequency of touch points and evaluations.
Hardy Kemp (Facilitator)
Director - Projects & Turnarounds Flint Hills Resources, LLC
Mike Albarado
GNMT Planner Lead Flint Hills Resources
Paul Schulz
Safety Manager Flint Hills ResourcesAs a result of a recent line-up error incident in the Coker unit, the organization recognized that learning and improving is a journey. Not only does the leaderships response matter but the entire organizations response is key. In addition to the insights gained about responding to events, several error traps were identified that are relevant to other operating areas in the refinery.
02:30 PM
Gerard Celestine (Facilitator)
Maintenance Support Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCHerb Haught (Facilitator)
Manager, Maintenance & Reliability CVR Energy, Inc.Bobby Tupper
Maintenance Excellence Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCMark Hutton
Category Manager- Services Motiva Enterprises LLCSteve Brisendine
Vice President of Maintenance Operations Echo Maintenance LLCThis panel discussion will breakdown each step in the process of choosing the right contractors, and the factors to consider while evaluating their performance once onboard. We will also explore the roles and actions of team members in choosing the best contractors, building the essential KPI’s and Health checks, the frequency of touch points and evaluations.
Marc Coggeshall
Commercial Development Leader for North America Koch Engineered SolutionsManufacturing and a healthy environment aren’t mutually exclusive. We believe responsible management of our environmental resources is vital to providing products and services that help people improve their lives, while using fewer resources and respecting the environment.

Stephen Gill (Facilitator)
Director, Process Safety HF SinclairKen Bloch
Sr. HES Professional Marathon Petroleum CorporationThis incident review will cover a lift station explosion at the Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery. Highlights of the incident review will include, a review of the equipment involved in the explosion and a discussion on how the conditions which led up to the incident evolved. Followed by a discussion on the importance of maintaining equipment that is not part of the refinery process equipment, and suggestions on how to prevent a similar incident at other refineries
Tyler Veenstra
Refining Training & Development Manager Marathon Petroleum CompanyThe AFPM Immersive Learning Committee has been developing tools in a variety of mediums for AFPM members around Fired, Heaters and most recently winterization. After the presentation, head to Travis B, 3rd floor for hands on demonstrations of the tools.
03:30 PM
Michael Karlovich
VP-Corporate Communications PBF Energy Inc.Tracy Sadowski (Facilitator)
Strategic Planning & Capital Projects Leader Monroe Energy, LLCAlex Kalafatis
Sr. Director of Product Management Aspen Technology, Inc.Yangdong Pan
Director, Advanced Process Control Delek USYugender Chikkula
Manager of Technology, APC Digitalization Motiva Enterprises LLCPatrick Robinson
Maintenance Efficiency Lead Phillips 66Rajan Rathinasabapathy
Process Optimization Engineer Phillips 66This session will look at techniques and procedures that allow currently implemented APC systems to be modified at low cost to accommodate the newer AI based methods. This session will be of interest to and benefit APC engineers.
Olivier Le-Coz
Chief Technology Officer Axens North America
Stephen Gill (Facilitator)
Director, Process Safety HF SinclairBill Clark
Director, Reliability Phillips 66This session will include a presentation about a loss of containment, fire, and business impact event during a routine, non-complicated pump startup activity. The presentation will cover key lessons learned and practical activities that can be taken to mitigate against operational, mechanical, and human performance failures.
04:30 PM
Charlie Turner
Director, Brand and Marketing Communications AFPMEricka Perryman
Director, Issues Communications AFPMState and federal government policies are being introduced that misunderstand our work and threaten the viability of our industries. We need our workforce, who stand to be effected, to get involved. Industry employees are our most powerful representatives. Learn how you and your company or facility can get involved.
No Press Allowed

Eric Legare (Facilitator)
Senior Advising Process Engineer, Technical Services Phillips 66Curt Hemphill
Senior Process Engineer Burns & McDonnellKristen Hildebrand
Staff Chemical Engineer Burns & McDonnell
Rich Smith
Senior Manager, Hydroprocessing Chevron U.S.A. IncPriyesh Thakker
Principal Hydroprocessing Engineer Topsoe, Inc.Renewables is a new and evolving area within Refining. As such, industry has experienced new process safety lessons learned from operation and revamps. This session will be a mini panel town hall with short presentations followed by Q&A.
Tim Duncan
Applications Project Manager Solenis LLCGordon Johnson
Water Treatment Consultant Solenis LLCBrian J. Martin
Utility Technologist Marathon Petroleum Corporation08:00 AM

Jimmy Jernigan (Facilitator)
Associate Director, Global Maintenance and Reliability LyondellBasell IndustriesHardy Kemp
Director - Capital Projects, Construction & Turnarounds Flint Hills Resources, LLCRobin Knowles
Senior Manager, Global Manufacturing Learning & Development LyondellBasell IndustriesDawn Wurst
SVP - Health & Safety Georgia-Pacific LLCDavid Hammons
Organizational Learning and Reporting Manager Chevron U.S.A. Inc.This session will present and discuss human performance and its effects on work as it pertains to quality of repairs, defect elimination, process safety, operational disciplines, quality of work checks by managers, culture challenges, and getting involvement from executives and union leaders. Companies at various stages of the human & organizational performance journey will share their lessons learned, success and challenges.
Arnold Austin (Facilitator)
Lead Process Control Engineer Emerson Automation SolutionsKaren Kuhn
Manager, Process Controls Cenovus Energy Inc.Patrick Robinson
Maintenance Efficiency Lead Phillips 66Troy Jones
Ensure Safe Production Team Leader Motiva Enterprises, LLCThe panel will discuss dynamically managed alarms and advanced shelving. Questions addressed will include how alarms are rationalized and implemented, and how advanced alarm shelving is part of the state-based alarm process.
Participants will:
- Get good practices in mitigating alarm floods
- Hear actual results/experiences from SMEs
Katie Yiznitsky (Facilitator)
Staff Refinery Models Engineer Valero Energy CorporationBen Mossman
Operations Superintendent CHS, Inc.
Gordon Robertson (Facilitator)
Senior Director, Technical Programs AFPMJosh Santrock
Crude/Vac Technologist Marathon Petroleum CorporationSim Romero
Principal Consultant BechtTracie Gurtler
Process Engineer HF SinclairTim Oubre
Sr. Technical Specialist Athlon, A Haliburton CompanyJason Nigg
Director, Crude, Fractionation, & Heat Transfer Phillips 66
Jeff Sexton (Facilitator)
Refining Technology Director Marathon Petroleum CorporationMike Achacoso
Vice President - Refining & Logistics Solomon Associates LLCAlan Gelder
Vice President, Global Content Lead for Refining Wood MackenzieThe Energy Transition to a lower carbon future will play a significant role in the Refining Industry. How our industry – in the US and around the world - will adapt to changing market conditions going forward is evolving. However, the US will be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities. This session will highlight challenges and concerns that will impact our Refining outlook.

Steve Gim (Facilitator)
Regional Tech Service Manager - Americas BASF Corporation
Ken Bruno
Global Technical Service Director, FCC Albemarle Corporation
Tony Barletta
Vice President Process Consulting ServicesBani Cipriano
Segment Marketing Manager - Light Olefins W.R. Grace & Co.Todd Hochheiser
Global Technical Service Manager Johnson Matthey
Rohan Khandelwal
Senior Manager Honeywell UOPVasilis Komvokis
Global Innovation & Evaluation Manager BASF Corporation
Phillip Niccum
FCC Technology Advisor Lummus TechnologyRahul Pillai
Technology Manager, FCC KBR
Raj Singh
Technology Manager Technip EnergiesA super-panel that brings in various participants in the FCC world to discuss the available technologies and pertinent issues surrounding the potential transition of FCCs with greater petrochemical tilt. Value drivers, required changes (both FCC and downstream) and their magnitude will be discussed.
09:00 AM
Mo Abueida (Facilitator)
Principal Process Engineer – Benicia Refinery Valero Energy CorporationBen Mossman
Operations Superintendent CHS, Inc.
Gordon Robertson (Facilitator)
Senior Director, Technical Programs AFPMJosh Santrock
Crude/Vac Technologist Marathon Petroleum CorporationSim Romero
Principal Consultant BechtTracie Gurtler
Process Engineer HF SinclairTim Oubre
Sr. Technical Specialist Athlon, A Haliburton CompanyJason Nigg
Director, Crude, Fractionation, & Heat Transfer Phillips 66
Clifford Avery (Facilitator)
FCC Process Advisor Albemarle CorporationDavid Dayton
Senior Fellow and Director, Biofuels RTI InternationalPyrolysis is the thermal conversion of biomass, municipal waste and/or plastic in the absence of oxygen to produce a liquid product. This pyrolysis oil product will have various properties depending on the feedstock and technology. However, it can be further processed through hydrotreating, co-processed in an FCC unit or steam cracker to produce petrochemicals or transportation fuels. This session will cover the Pyrolysis technology with other sessions highlighting further processing of the pyrolysis oil.

Steve Gim (Facilitator)
Regional Tech Service Manager - Americas BASF Corporation
Ken Bruno
Global Technical Service Director, FCC Albemarle Corporation
Tony Barletta
Vice President Process Consulting ServicesBani Cipriano
Segment Marketing Manager - Light Olefins W.R. Grace & Co.Todd Hochheiser
Global Technical Service Manager Johnson Matthey
Rohan Khandelwal
Senior Manager Honeywell UOPVasilis Komvokis
Global Innovation & Evaluation Manager BASF Corporation
Phillip Niccum
FCC Technology Advisor Lummus TechnologyRahul Pillai
Technology Manager, FCC KBR
Raj Singh
Technology Manager Technip EnergiesA super-panel that brings in various participants in the FCC world to discuss the available technologies and pertinent issues surrounding the potential transition of FCCs with greater petrochemical tilt. Value drivers, required changes (both FCC and downstream) and their magnitude will be discussed.

Jimmy Jernigan (Facilitator)
Associate Director, Global Maintenance and Reliability LyondellBasell IndustriesHardy Kemp
Director - Capital Projects, Construction & Turnarounds Flint Hills Resources, LLCRobin Knowles
Senior Manager, Global Manufacturing Learning & Development LyondellBasell IndustriesDawn Wurst
SVP - Health & Safety Georgia-Pacific LLCDavid Hammons
Organizational Learning and Reporting Manager Chevron U.S.A. Inc.This session will present and discuss human performance and its effects on work as it pertains to quality of repairs, defect elimination, process safety, operational disciplines, quality of work checks by managers, culture challenges, and getting involvement from executives and union leaders. Companies at various stages of the human & organizational performance journey will share their lessons learned, success and challenges.
Darwin Logerot (Facilitator)
Principal Process Control Consultant Emerson Automation SolutionsKaren Kuhn
Manager, Process Controls Cenovus Energy Inc.Patrick Robinson
Maintenance Efficiency Lead Phillips 66Troy Jones
Ensure Safe Production Team Leader Motiva Enterprises, LLCThe panel will discuss sustaining alarm management. Questions addressed will include how they initially rationalize alarms, monitor alarms, audit and management of change alarm settings as required in order to maintain a good alarm management program.
Participants will:
- Get good practices in sustaining an alarm management program
- Hear actual results/experiences from SMEs
10:15 AM
Sam Lordo (Facilitator)
Advisor BechtSim Romero
Principal Consultant Becht
Jeff Sexton (Facilitator)
Refining Technology Director Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Bob Riley (Facilitator)
Director, Energy Transition & Sustainability W. R. Grace & Co.Leif Forer
Sustainability Consultant Foxley Consulting
Kristine Klavers
Managing Director - Houston EcoEngineersSeveral new technologies have been developed to produce renewable fuels and petrochemical products. However, monetization of these new renewable streams is important to justify commercialization and utilization. EPA pathway approval for transportation fuels and ISCC+ credits for petrochemicals are key economic incentives based on current regulations that will drive investment. This session will highlight both options for monetization.

Rohan Khandelwal (Facilitator)
Senior Manager Honeywell UOP
Mike Stine
FCC Mechanical Specialist Honeywell UOP
Bryant Duncan
Senior Field Service Engineer Honeywell UOPThis session will review various issues that have been found in FCC units and how to address them. We will show details of failure mechanisms and discuss root causes and how to identify these mechanisms, along with the best approaches for timely field repairs and long term design solutions.
Lawrence Moreaux
Associate Director Digital Technology Integrations and Partnerships LyondellBasell IndustriesDeidra Armstrong
Director of Operational Excellence HF SinclairThis session will give an overview of technology related to Walk the Line and E-Permitting. The presenters will each share their journey towards implementing an E-Permitting system. The attendees will also learn about existing WTL toolbox resources. Companies at various stages of e-permitting system will share their lessons learned, successes and challenges.

Atique Malik (Facilitator)
President AIControl LLCAbi Mukund
Head of Product Marketing & Strategy Imubit, Inc.John Myers
Process Engineering Team Lead Monroe Energy, LLCLearn about Monroe’s Energy experience of applying Closed Loop Neural Network models for direct control at their refinery. John Myers, Process Engineering Team Lead, walks through the steps it takes to develop these AI models and the lessons learned to obtain organizational alignment to adopt this advanced technology.
Ken Chlapik (Facilitator)
Global Market Manager - Hydrogen Johnson MattheyChristy Anderson
Americas Technical Specialist Manager, Hydroprocessing Ketjen CorporationMary Cotturo
Process Engineer Marathon PetroleumThis session presents a commercial case study at Marathon Petroleum that utilizes BMCs for enhanced performance. We will discuss how BMCs enabled Marathon to process a previously downgraded feed stream to the hydrocracking unit. Despite processing this high-severity feed, the refinery realized increases in overall unit stability and hydrocracking catalyst activity, resulting in a new level of profitability.
11:15 AM

Atique Malik (Facilitator)
President AIControl LLCAbi Mukund
Head of Product Marketing & Strategy Imubit, Inc.Yangdong Pan
Director, Advanced Process Control Delek USJohn Myers
Process Engineering Team Lead Monroe Energy, LLCAdi Punuru
Differentiating Technologies Group Lead ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co.Learn about an advanced form of AI that is used for direct plant control and the requirements needed to allow such technologies to build confidence for the entire organization and to reduce maintenance effort for sustained profits. This session will be followed by a short panel discussion by industry experts.
Herb Haught (Facilitator)
Manager, Maintenance & Reliability CVR Energy, Inc.
Mike Mckee
Vice President, Refining Operations PBF Energy Inc.Lawrence Moreaux
Associate Director Digital Technology Integrations and Partnerships LyondellBasell IndustriesThis session will focus on the third pillar of WTL – Operational Readiness, focusing on Operations preparing equipment for Maintenance, Maintenance returning equipment to Operations & Operations returning equipment to service. The presentation will give applicable examples of lessons learned from Operational Readiness events as well as the related tools designed to help operators understand the operating state of the plant. This session will also demonstrate the AFPM Safety Portal that houses the Walk the Line toolbox.
Learning Objectives:
- An understanding of Operational Readiness and the importance of communication and interaction between operations and maintenance
- Practical examples to apply to improve practices at your site
- How to utilize the WTL toolbox to improve your Operational Readiness practices
Greg Cantley (Facilitator)
Refining Process Design Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationKaren Green
Refining Environmental, Sr Refining Engineer Marathon Petroleum CorporationMark Knight
Global Sustainability & ESG Leader Veolia Water Technologies and SolutionsGlobal, regional and local water issues are driving the need for water conservation. In this session, the “It’s just water” mindset presents challenges and opportunities that will be discussed, as will a focus on defining the journey to a more sustainable use of water; while recognizing the much needed balancing act to harmonize water, energy and GHG reduction targets.

Rohan Khandelwal (Facilitator)
Senior Manager Honeywell UOP
Mike Stine
FCC Mechanical Specialist Honeywell UOP
Bryant Duncan
Senior Field Service Engineer Honeywell UOPThis session will review various issues that have been found in FCC units and how to address them. We will show details of failure mechanisms and discuss root causes and how to identify these mechanisms, along with the best approaches for timely field repairs and long term design solutions.
Sai Reddy Pinappu (Facilitator)
RDD Scientist Baker HughesChuck Red
Vice President Applied Research Associates, Inc.Ulrik Brasen
Energy Separation Capital Sales Manager North America Alfa LavalThe desalter is the primary pretreatment unit for crude oil in a refinery. In a renewable diesel facility, pretreatment is also required. This session will highlight the need and differences in pretreatment technologies for renewable feedstocks.
01:30 PM
Russell Wiltse (Facilitator)
Principal Process Engineer Valero Energy CorporationSteve Philoon
Sr Platforming Technology Specialist Honeywell UOP LLCMatt Hutchinson
Senior Technology Manager Axens North AmericaAndy Moreland (Facilitator)
Technology Director - Hydroprocessing Valero Energy Corporation
Eric Legare (Facilitator)
Senior Advising Process Engineer, Technical Services Phillips 66Jonathan Arana
Hydroprocessing Technology Specialist Honeywell UOP LLCMelissa Davis
Senior Technical Service Manager Topsoe, Inc.Hydroprocessing of renewable feedstocks such as vegetable oils and animal fats into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel is growing in market adoption. Catalyst plays a significant role in this process with functions including contaminate removal, hydro deoxygenation (HDO) and isomerization. This session will be a mini panel town hall including short presentations to review the various catalytic steps followed by Q&A.

Ziad Jawad (Facilitator)
Senior FCC Engineer Phillips 66Dr. Natalie Herring
Director of Technology & Bus. Development G.W. Aru, LLCLuis Bougrat
Technical Sales Manager W.R. Grace & Co.Tiffany Clark
FCC Technologist Marathon Petroleum CorporationRainer Bass (Facilitator)
Process Reliability Lead HF Sinclair CorporationSteve Ayers
Senior Process Engineer Sulfur Experts, Inc.Most TGTU operators focus only on H2S removal, and forget about the second, and equally important function of this unit which is to slip CO2! Recycling CO2 to the front end of a sulphur plant causes all sorts of long-term problems including reduced sulphur recovery and increased COS and CS2 formation. Slipping CO2 in an MDEA system is not difficult when the various mechanisms involved are well understood. In this paper we give easy-to-understand, practical operational changes you can implement immediately to maximize the performance of the TGTU and by default the SRU!
Gerard Celestine (Facilitator)
Maintenance Support Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCBruce Taylor (Facilitator)
Digital Transformation Consultant FurtherTecWade Smith
Wireless Service Manager, North America Emerson Automation SolutionsThomas Cobb
Innovation Leader Motiva Enterprises, LLCDavid Bailey
Product Owner Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Brandon Taylor
Business Manager, Work Process Transformation HF SinclairThis session will be a facilitated discussion of panelists that have implemented mobile applications that have digitized legacy work practices and proven the potential value that it can return. AFPM's whitepaper on Digital Transformation will also be introduced.
Adrian Azpilicueta (Facilitator)
Sr. Industry Technical Consultant Nalco WaterAustin Schneider
Director of Technology CrystaphaseRyan Pratt
Hydroprocessing, Sulfur, and Amine Technical Lead Exxon Mobil Technology CompanyLarry Keon
XOM Beaumont Refinery OSD Engineering Advisor BechtPart 1: Dynamic Pressure Drop Modeling Helps Improve Critical Decision-making
Speaker: Austin Schneider, Crystaphase
Part 2: Reactor Bed Chemical Cleaning
Speakers:
Ryan Pratt, Hydroprocessing, Sulfur, and Amine Technical Lead, ExxonMobil Technology Company
Larry Keon, XOM Beaumont Refinery OSD Engineering Advisor, Becht
Adrián Azpilicueta, Sr. Industry Technical Consultant, Nalco Water
02:45 PM
Elizabeth Manning (Facilitator)
Process Safety & Operational Excellence Manager LyondellBasell IndustriesDaniel McGraw (Facilitator)
Technical Services Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationTiera Lacorte, NDCCDP, CDP
Console Supervisor Monroe Energy, LLCKatie Taylor
Director of Engineering BechtRob Dugan
Operations Day Foreman - Crude Marathon Petroleum CorporationRainer Bass (Facilitator)
Process Reliability Lead HF Sinclair CorporationScott Fowler
Principal Process Engineer Technip EnergiesDiscussion of the Hydrogen Plant design and instrumentation considerations specific to improving reliability and reducing loss of hydrogen production. This topic will include additional operating modes for the Steam Methane Reformer and preventative troubleshooting.
Gerard Celestine (Facilitator)
Maintenance Support Manager Motiva Enterprises LLCBruce Taylor (Facilitator)
Digital Transformation Consultant FurtherTecWade Smith
Wireless Service Manager, North America Emerson Automation SolutionsThomas Cobb
Innovation Leader Motiva Enterprises, LLCDavid Bailey
Product Owner Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Brandon Taylor
Business Manager, Work Process Transformation HF SinclairThis session will be a facilitated discussion of panelists that have implemented mobile applications that have digitized legacy work practices and proven the potential value that it can return. AFPM's whitepaper on Digital Transformation will also be introduced.

Christy Anderson (Facilitator)
Americas Technical Specialist Manager, Hydroprocessing Albemarle Corporation
Jignesh Fifadara (Facilitator)
Refinery and New Technology, Solutions Architect Veolia Water Technologies and SolutionsAline Bueno Cury
Technical Specialist - Refining Catalysts Albemarle CorporationJesper Gottlieb
Sr. Licensing Manager Topsoe, Inc.Mikala Grubb
Business Development Manager Topsoe, Inc.David Hood
Senior Engineer – Customer Application Engineering Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions
Clifford Avery (Facilitator)
FCC Process Advisor Albemarle Corporation
Nik Larsen (Facilitator)
FCC Technologist Marathon Petroleum Corporation
George Yaluris
R&T Director Albemarle CorporationMark Schmalfeld
Global Marketing Manager BASF CorporationLisa Wolschlag
Sr. Business Development Manager for Co-Processing Renewable Fuels Honeywell UOP LLCAn increasingly common strategy to meet decarbonization targets is the inclusion of bio-intermediate feedstocks into conventional refinery processes. This strategy has economic and environmental drivers by avoiding capital and GHG burdens by repurposing existing assets rather than building new processing equipment. Coprocessing of these bio-intermediates in refinery processes such as Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) traditionally designed for fossil fuels can present some unique challenges. These challenges as well as potential mitigation techniques will be highlighted.
Clay Marbry (Facilitator)
Director, Process Technology Roddey Engineering Services, Inc.Matt Hutchinson
Senior Technology Manager Axens North America03:45 PM
Rainer Bass (Facilitator)
Process Reliability Lead HF Sinclair CorporationMike Achacoso
Vice President - Refining & Logistics Solomon Associates LLCIt is well known that better energy efficiency leads to lower carbon emissions from a refinery. Unfortunately, refineries located in areas with low energy costs and no form of carbon tax often assign a lower priority to energy efficiency. Recent trends show improved energy efficiency can result in other “secret” benefits. These benefits include lower non-energy operating expenses and increased refinery capacity through more efficient capital investment. Examples include lower maintenance costs for steam-related equipment; lower volume-related costs for water treatment; lower water usage and cooling tower requirements, and lower personnel staffing levels to support these types of facilities. Solomon will present case studies of refineries that have achieved these improvements.
Easton Snyder
Solutions Engineer SpheraWendy Wildenberg
Senior Technical Lead Flint Hills Resources, LLCSally Davis
Pressure Safety System Engineer Flint Hills Resources, LLCJoe Rydberg
Process Engineer CITGO Petroleum CorporationJeff Johns
Hydroprocessing Advisor BechtSpecial considerations for additional risk reduction are necessary in several areas common to Hydroprocessing Units Relief Design to adequately design for Process Safety. Hydroprocessing units have unique overpressure relief scenarios related to their inherent design of having very high operating pressure, large inventory of highly flammable hydrogen vapor as well as a large inventory of liquid hydrocarbons held at high pressure. Guidance in both API standard for relief design (API STD 521) as well as Process Safety Reviews using Layers of Protection Analysis, Process Hazard analysis, and Safety Instrumented System Design are needed.
Attendees of this session will hear such special considerations, industry events, and common pitfalls in the following four areas:
- High Pressure Equipment protected by common relief typically on the High Pressure Separator.
- High Pressure Vapor Reversing into Low Pressure rated equipment.
- High Pressure Vapor Blow-through into downstream Separators/Flash Drums or Blow-through direct to Stripper / Fractionator.
- High Pressure large liquid inventory continues forward for longer duration causing overfill even after charge pump is stopped.
Elizabeth Manning (Facilitator)
Process Safety & Operational Excellence Manager LyondellBasell IndustriesDaniel McGraw (Facilitator)
Technical Services Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationTiera Lacorte, NDCCDP, CDP
Console Supervisor Monroe Energy, LLCKatie Taylor
Director of Engineering BechtRob Dugan
Operations Day Foreman - Crude Marathon Petroleum CorporationSteve Shimoda (Facilitator)
Refining Technology Manager Technip EnergiesJoe Colmone
FCC Technologist Delek USBen Higgins
Specialist Contract Engineer Suncor EnergyWilliam Herasymiuk
Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity SME Delek USMechanical issues with equipment directly impact the reliability of FCC unit. Representative from three refining companies will share their experiences and provide insight for improvements.
04:30 PM
Kerry Siggins
CEO StoneAge WaterBlast ToolsSelf Leadership: How to Become a Leader Worth Following
AFPM networking event for and by women.
08:00 AM
Hosted by Our Sponsors & Exhibitors
This is a “must attend” special event, the first of its kind!
Join our exhibitors and sponsors for a final farewell to celebrate both our inaugural Summit AND the return to face-to-face meetings. You’ll be treated to a gourmet breakfast, an upscale swag bag, and a few extra surprises! Be sure to reserve your seat when you register. We promise you’ll be glad you came.
09:30 AM
Sravan Papu (Facilitator)
Commercial Director Crystaphase
Sergio Robledo (Facilitator)
Senior Account Manager - Clean Fuels, North America Topsoe, Inc.David Sacks
Process Technology SME Hydroprocessing, Reforming, Isomerization Delek USHoward Moore
Principal Engineer Marathon Petroleum CorporationJeff Johns
Hydroprocessing Advisor BechtThis panel will address all of the questions submitted through the portal. Audience participation will be encouraged.

Mike Mitzner (Facilitator)
Senior Account Manager - Global Solutions Axens North AmericaRandy Peterson
Technology Manager Elessent Clean TechnologiesThis session will focus on how most sulfuric alkylation units can reduce acid consumption by 10-15% with only better trained staff and little to no capital investment.
Better acid strength analyses, monitoring and flow control are key focus areas as well as refrigeration & fractionation optimization.
A case study is included to present low to mid CAPEX options to further reduce acid consumption and/or increase capacity.
Maxed-out alky units are very common due to perennially strong alkylate margins which can far outweigh incremental acid costs.
Sam Lordo (Facilitator)
Advisor Becht
Raul Romero (Facilitator)
Marketing Director Nalco Water- Crude Quality, LTO Issues - Sam Lordo, Becht
- Vacuum Unit Troubleshooting - Raul Romero, Nalco Water
Stephen Gill
Director, Process Safety HF SinclairVenkat Venkatasubramanian
Co-Director, Center for Management of Systemic Risk Columbia UniversityRajan Rathinasabapathy
Process Optimization Engineer Phillips 66Darin Foote (Facilitator)
Refinery Operations Superintendent CHS, Inc.Andrew Mezera
FCC Subject Matter Expert Valero Energy CorporationMark Taylor
Senior Manager CircorChad Norris
Sr. Director - General Manager CircorVirgil Guzman
Regional Sales Manager CircorMichael Wardinsky
Manager Alkylation and FCC Technology Motiva Enterprises, LLCThe objective of this session is to inform and discuss. This session will first cover the primary functions, failure modes, and design best practices for slide valves in the FCC. We will also discuss the reliability operating window, preventative maintenance, and regular monitoring to ensure the primary function of the valve is maintained through the run. Lastly, we will discuss the hazards and safe operating response to a loss of primary function of the Spent, Regenerated, or Flue Gas Slide Valve.

Brad Hase (Facilitator)
VP of Turnarounds HF SinclairHardy Kemp (Facilitator)
Director - Projects & Turnarounds Flint Hills Resources, LLCOpen collaborative discussion on topics related to scoping, planning and execution and other related issues.
11:00 AM
Tim Shepperd (Facilitator)
Director Business Development BechtDominic Varraveto
Process Technology Director Burns & McDonnellThis session will provide a summary of recent innovation in refinery alkylation from a broad range of technologies and providers. The focus will be on safety, catalyst, reactor design and overall performance characteristics. Commercial success stories will also be included.
The objective will be to deliver the latest information about alkylation in a non-biased, “technology neutral” format providing session participants a learning opportunity and launch point for further inquiry.
Greg Cantley (Facilitator)
Refining Process Design Manager Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Harold Eggert (Facilitator)
Chief Global Technical Advisor Athlon, a Halliburton Company- Sampling - Greg Cantley, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
- HSFO Processing - Harold Eggert, Athlon, a Halliburton Company
Tim Olsen (Facilitator)
Technical and Business Consultant for Refining Industry Emerson Automation SolutionsStephen Gill
Director, Process Safety HF SinclairNicole Birchall
Operations Excellence Manager Marathon Petroleum CorporationDustin Beebe
Vice President, Control and Operator Performance Emerson Automation Solutions
Richard Grove (Facilitator)
FCC Process Expert Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Jon Peters
Sr. BIN Leader – FCC ChevronNik Larsen
FCC Technologist Marathon Petroleum Company
Dharmesh Panchal
Service Fellow FCC Technology Honeywell UOPSteve Tragesser
Chief Technology Engineer – FCC & Alkylation KBRSteve Forry
Vice President of Sales CECO Emtrol-BuellHayden Poppe
Mechanical Engineer Technip EnergiesWe often have conversations regarding just how long can you run an FCC between turnarounds. This panel will highlight some of the key topics discussed concerning safety, reliability, and degrading performance. We invite audience participation and encourage f