Jason Vaillant
Jason Vaillant is a Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations for Suncor Energy. Jason has been 'telling the Suncor story' since 2004 and been involved in connecting the company's refining, marketing and renewable energy operations with neighbours, communities, First Nations and governments. Prior to joining Suncor, Jason spent eight years working for the Government of Canada.
Growing up in Sarnia, Ontario (everything you have heard about Canada's Chemical Valley is probably wrong!), Jason developed a natural curiousity for what happens in the petrochemical industry. However, Jason likes to 'keep it simple' since science and engineering are certainly not his strengths. Coupled with the fact that Jason's blogging experience is little to none, he looks forward to the opportunity to learn from the discussion.
So people, let’s continue to keep Pumptalk real (simple, that is).
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She’s come a long way since the start of this blog, and Corinn has started to wrap her head around this wonderful thing called social media.
Having worked in the company since 2000, she has heard her share of questions, opinions and colourful comments. Corinn has seen how beneficial it is to be a part of the conversation, no matter how good or bad the topic is. The goal is to continue having a place where questions can be asked. You might not always like our answers or explanations, but we strive to provide a place where we can share.
As advisor for Communications, Corinn is not only a contributor, but also acts as Pump Talk’s editor. She is always looking for questions that need answering, details that need explaining, and opinions that need to be shared. She will be sure to listen to your feedback, and work to keep the blog current. Most importantly, continue to provide you with the information you are looking for.
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Victoria Barrington has recently joined the Refining and Marketing team from our Calgary office where she has been working in corporate communications since March 2007. In Calgary, Victoria worked as corporate spokesperson and provided communications support to the Environment, Safety & Social Responsibility team.
Canadian by birth, Victoria spent over 10 years living in London, and before joining Petro-Canada in 2007, she spent five years working at Buckingham Palace as Press Officer to The Queen. Though two vastly different industries, Victoria sees transparency and engagement as common areas that unite them and which are fundamental to a successful dialogue with stakeholders.
Since Victoria has lived overseas for so long, she’s never needed a car and is now spending her free time researching and test driving new vehicles trying to balance cost, fuel efficiency and, of course, style.
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Val Mitchell
Val Mitchell is one of the ‘old timers’ on Suncor Energy’s Communications team, joining the company in August 1998 at the Oil Sands operations in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Being smack dab in the middle of the Alberta energy boom for ten years has been quite the roller coast ride – and things have slowed down only slightly with her move to the Edmonton refinery.
Val brings over 25 years of communications and public relations experience to her role. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree from Ryerson University specializing in Radio and Television Arts and has worked in radio, television, and marketing and communications for a variety of industries.
Being new to the refining and marketing world, Val will draw on her many years as a ‘soccer/ringette/hockey/judo’ mom driving her 1998 Villager and three kids all over western Canada. (“When the gas light indicator on your dashboard goes on, how many kilometres worth of gas do you still have in your tank?”) Stay tuned for provocative questions, scintillating dialogue, and stimulating banter. Pumptalk may never be the same!
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Michael Southern is a Senior Advisor in Suncor Energy’s Communications department having joined the company in September 2005. Previously Michael worked in one of Canada’s largest communications companies, providing advice to clients working in the environment and natural resources sectors. Michael also spent more than 10 years as a part-time faculty member, teaching political science at the University of Western Ontario.
One of the challenges faced by all communicators in this or any specialized industry is to explain complex processes in a way that is simple for everyone to understand. As one of the original contributors to PumpTalk, Michael has helped to provide insight into the refining process, and other parts of the oil & gas industry in general.
Michael will continue to take part in the conversation on a variety of topics related to the refining & marketing business, always keeping an eye open for those neat bits and pieces he can discover along the way.
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Kate Callaghan
Kate is new to the world of social media, but is excited about jumping in. Since joining Suncor in 2003, Kate has answered many questions to friends and family about the oil and gas industry and looks forward to extending this conversation. With a background in Human Resources, Kate sees the benefit in open and honest communication and hopes that this blog will continue to be a vehicle for positive exchange.
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This southern belle turned mountain lover never dreamed she’d be climbing to the top of the #4 HDS (hydrodesulphurization unit) or the #2 Flare Tip, both high above Suncor’s refinery in Commerce City, Colorado. But, the refining industry has been surprisingly energizing.
Before joining Suncor Energy in 2005, Lisha worked for Vail Resorts, managing communications for Keystone Resort. Prior to Vail, Lisha spent four years in health care at Blue Cross of Idaho leading its public affairs department. Lisha also held communications roles at the University of Utah and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Lisha’s career did include time on the ‘other’ side, too, as a journalist and editor.
Despite 17 years in communications, talking to the public or Suncor’s stakeholders about our industry—whether it’s what makes up the price of fuel, or a regulatory change that will impact diesel supply or a refinery shutdown—is not always easy. Still, Lisha enjoys the challenge of helping others understand what’s happening in our business, how and why.
Lisha has a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University. Lisha and her husband Keven, himself a former 1994 Olympic Team member in Lillehammer (U.S. Ski Team, Men’s Downhill) love life in Denver with their two children; they enjoy skiing, hiking, travel, cycling, and scuba diving.
