The Valero Benicia Refinery thanks Josh Tulino for his tenure and welcomes back Lauren Bird as our new Refinery Manager

Josh Tulino, Vice President (VP) and General Manager (GM) of the Valero Benicia Refinery has elected to retire. Josh began his career with Exxon as a process engineer at Benicia and became a Valero employee when Valero purchased the Benicia Refinery in 2000. Josh held different positions throughout the Valero Energy Corporation circuit and was promoted to VP & GM at our Memphis Refinery in 2017 and then transferred to Benicia as our VP/GM in 2020.

With Josh's retirement, Lauren Bird will relocate to Benicia as VP/GM effective June 1, 2024. Lauren started his career at Exxon Baytown and later transferred to Exxon Benicia progressing through positions of increasing responsibilities. He joined Valero when Valero purchased the Benicia Refinery and was promoted to Director of Refinery Operations in 2002. Lauren was then promoted to VP and General Manager of Valero’s Meraux Refinery in 2012, he then relocated to Valero’s McKee Refinery as the VP and GM in 2014. We are excited that Lauren will be coming back to Benicia where he raised his family.

Please join us in congratulating Lauren on his new role as well as wishing Josh the best in his retirement.

Valero Supports Solano-Napa Habitat For Humanity

Valero Benicia Refinery is proud to have partnered once again with Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity. On April 27^th a team of seven refinery volunteers brought their skills and joined the organization to work on the Woolner Avenue 3-home build in Fairfield.

Since 2013, Valero has been a significant supporter of Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity, contributing over $200,000 and volunteering in support of six builds and improving the organization’s effectiveness around the region.

"Primarily, our refinery workers live in Solano County because it's affordable to live here. When they see a project like Habitat emerging in their neighborhood, it intrigues them," said Paul Adler, Valero's Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs. "Some of our workers are also Veterans. Being close to home and these shared values are important aspects of our commitment and support of Habitat. The similarities and synergy are key elements." 

Reflecting on the benefits of volunteering, Adler also noted, "It’s both fun and fitting that Habitat allows our team to use skills that the refinery workers value," highlighting the personal growth and satisfaction gained from their involvement. 

To learn more about Valero and its community impact, please visit valero.com.

The Valero Benicia Refinery Supports the Most Succesful STEAM Discovery Festival Yet

This year's annual STEAM Discovery festival was the most successful yet with attendance estimates between 1500 and 2500 people. 

Valero sponsored the first RoboRave competition hosted by the Benicia High School robotics group and the Benicia Makerspace. Valero's $2000 donation was used to purchase robotic kits to lend to students who did not have access to school sponsored robotics programs.

Resources for Benicia Residents

5 Ways to stay informed about Valero Benicia Refinery:

1. Valero's 24-hour Community Relations Phone Number: 707-745-7534 email: BeniciaCommunityRelations@valero.com
2. Sign up for Refinery Notifications at Valero Benicia Refinery Community Relations website: www.beniciarefinery.com
3. Sign up for Non-Emergency Notifications with your email or telephone number at the City of Benicia's Public Information Bank website: www.ci.benicia.ca.us/publicinfobank
4. Valero Benicia Community Advisory Panel (CAP) website: www.beniciacap.com
5. Benicia Refinery Air Monitoring Program website: www.beniciarefineryairmonitors.org

Please call:

707-745-7534 for additional questions.

Benicia Fire Department at 707-746-4275 to speak with a fire department representative.

911 if there is an emergency.