ILMA Compoundings – November 2018 - 29

people to welcome her when she started attending meetings.
"I really feel like he mentored me, and that helped me feel
comfortable at the meetings," she said.
Powell said being affiliated with ILMA has been a
tremendous experience. "It is peopled with some of the
highest-quality and -character people of any group I've ever
been affiliated with," he said. "It has given us at MorOil access
to information that in some cases I probably wouldn't have
gotten and in other cases wouldn't have gotten as soon."
FOCUSING ON GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Powell said that he saw the need for ILMA to be an
international organization and spent time developing a
relationship with ILMA's counterparts abroad. "I was
fortunate enough to be involved in the strategic plan
process from day one," he said. "We had a piece of the
strategic plan that was focused on strengthening out our
international connections."
Hamilton said Powell has been ardent about the need
for and the benefits of ILMA being connected to other
organizations. "He is a guy who has been passionate about
expanding our vision at ILMA and looking across the pond
and being willing and able to put energy and time and some
money into fostering the relationship beyond the lower 48."
Hamilton compared work with the Union of the European
Lubricants Industry (UEIL) and Asian Lubricant Manufacturers Union (ALMU) to a slow-moving train. "Understanding
how slowly they move takes a great deal of patience. You don't
form a relationship with UEIL or ALMU overnight," he said.
"Ron is such a patient guy to be involved in fostering these
relationships, and I admire his patience."
Powell traveled abroad for several years to attend UEIL
meetings, and he has worked closely with industry leaders to
advance ALMU. "As more and more people are seeing what
a global economy we have, these groups take on greater
significance," he said.
When Powell returned from meetings abroad, he gave
detailed reports and presented the information to ILMA
so that it could utilize a partnership with the UEIL, Jones
said. "Our relationship has grown stronger with our sister
organizations because of Ron's involvement in attending
the meetings and then presenting information at the ILMA
meetings to the Board and the entire Association."
Powell has also directly advocated for the industry in
Washington, D.C., attending fly-ins and working with lawmakers on critical regulatory issues, Jones said. "He is always
aware of the regulatory matters going on, and that was good
for everyone [on] the Board," she explained.
DRAWING ON FAMILY
Jones noted that Powell's wife, Amy, is an integral part of
who Powell is. "They are a great team together. She has

always been an important part of our relationship with the
EU and the international outreach for us," she said. "They've
always represented ILMA in a positive way to maintain
relationships and grow those relationships."
Powell said Amy is a connector, and he enjoys industry
meetings more when she joins him. "She has made connections I wouldn't have made, so having her there has been
tremendous," he said.
Throughout his career, Powell worked closely with his
father, who passed away in 2010. Powell keeps a photo of
him in his office. "I can look at that picture, and sometimes
I feel like he is saying, 'You did good,'" he said. "Other times
I think he is laughing at me and others he is saying, 'What
were you thinking?'"
Those who know Powell say his leadership has and will
continue to benefit the industry as a whole. "He is one of
the best fits you could find to be on the Board. He is smart.
He cares and he believes in supporting the organization and
the team above any sort of personal agenda he may have,"
Hamilton said.
Jones called Powell a true Southern gentleman. "That is
not something that is common," she said. "He always finds
the positive in things."
Long is a freelance writer and journalist. She can be reached
at 925-750-7163 or mindy@mindylong.com.

Ron Powell (left) and Dave Croghan

ILMA Compoundings – November 2018

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