Work Ethic • ETHICS • Dependable
Fuel Markets Are Complex - Profitable Strategy Shouldn't Be
- Led and managed all fuel-related carbon compliance programs at 7-Eleven, including RINs, Cap and Trade, and LCFS.
- 100% compliance achieved, zero fines
- Absorbed 2 other positions while handling renewable fuel supply at 7-Eleven (+$300k/year)
- 13-million RINs per month traded above market average
- $16M in annual savings through strategic fuel procurement
Career Highlights
Unique blend of productivity, judgment and humor – able to make money and smiles at the same time.
Fuel Supply
Carbon compliance/greenhouse gas emission
Fuel retailers
Manufacturing
Renewable fuel supply/marketing
Refiners/downstream energy
Logistics-heavy fuel distributors
Energy infrastructure companies
Core Skills
Follow through
Multi-faceted roles, ready to expand
Fuel procurement/supply
Supplier/contract negotiation
Trading physical products/carbon credits/RINs
The Strategic Shift
- Transitioned the team from passive sourcing to a competitive procurement model, benchmarking suppliers and renegotiating supply arrangements.
- Rebalanced bulk and rack purchasing strategies based on spread analysis and volatility exposure.
- Improved cross-functional alignment across key teams — Supply, Pricing, Logistics, and Finance — to ensure sourcing decisions supported both operational reliability and margin performance.
- Increased transparency into pipeline and terminal positioning to support more proactive, data-driven buying decisions.
Case Study
Fuel Supply Transformation: Driving $16M Annual Savings Through Strategic Procurement
The Status Quo Problem
Changed our supply environment from relying on incumbent suppliers and legacy sourcing patterns to more actively pursuing competitive pricing or diversified supply security. This led to margin optimization and left the company less exposed to rack volatility across a portfolio moving approximately 13 million gallons of “just” ethanol per month.
My mandate was to strengthen commercial discipline within supply operations and drive competitive pricing, secure assured sourcing, and align procurement strategy with enterprise margin objectives while maintaining reliable fuel supply to thousands of retail sites.
The Results
The shift delivered meaningful cost savings while strengthening overall supply strategy: Achieved a 5% cost reduction across 13 million gallons per month. Lowered average fuel cost at approximately $2.10 per gallon. Generated ~$1.36M in monthly savings (~$16M annually). Improved supply reliability across the network. Reduced exposure to volatile rack pricing.
The Stabilization Framework
- Centralized pipeline nominations and terminal coordination, acting as the single-source scheduling lead across multiple states.
- Standardized communication protocols with pipeline operators, terminals, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to reduce execution errors.
- Closely monitored storage levels and blend specifications to prevent off-spec shipments and supply gaps.
- Developed contingency routing and scheduling plans to mitigate short-term disruptions.
- Partnered with accounting to ensure physical movements aligned with invoicing during the transition period.
Case Study
Post-Acquisition Supply Stabilization: Restoring Reliability Across 1,000+ Sites
The Chaos of Transition
Following the acquisition of more than 1,000 sites, the transition from the incumbent supplier to 7-Eleven as the primary supplier was chaotic.
- Pipeline nominations
- Terminal access
- Scheduling systems Communication channels were misaligned
- Creating significant risk of stockouts
- Emergency spot purchases
- Delivery disruptions
I was responsible for stabilizing scheduling and supply logistics during the transition — integrating the acquired sites into a unified supply framework while maintaining
- Regulatory compliance
- Gasoline quality standards
- Uninterrupted delivery to retail locations.
The Results
- By consolidating scheduling oversight and introducing structured coordination, I stabilized operations and significantly reduced supply volatility.
- Emergency fuel purchases were reduced by more than 50%, as reported by our trucking partner, restoring reliability and materially lowering premium freight exposure during a highly disruptive integration.
The Recovery Strategy
Immediately reassessed the regional account portfolio to identify high-potential replacement opportunities. Leveraged existing relationships and negotiated expanded supply agreements with Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons. Structured agreements that aligned pricing strategy, logistics execution, and supply commitments to ensure both competitiveness and margin discipline. Coordinated internally across pricing, supply, and logistics to ensure seamless onboarding and execution of new volume.
Case Study
Recovered and Exceeded Lost Volume Through Strategic Retail Partnerships
The Volume Loss Risk
While managing national account relationships, we supplied 100% of BP’s fuel volumes in the Denver market — representing a significant portion of regional throughput.
When BP divested those locations to another supplier, we faced a substantial and immediate loss of contracted volume, creating both revenue and utilization risk.
I was responsible for:
- protecting regional performance by replacing lost volume quickly
- Maintaining margin integrity and preserving refinery and terminal throughput levels.
The Results
We successfully replaced — and ultimately exceeded — the lost BP volume through expanded agreements with major grocery retailers.
- This preserved
- Regional throughput
- Protected margin performance Demonstrated the strength and flexibility of our national account strategy during a significant customer transition.
Task/Activity:
- Transitioned the team from passive sourcing to a competitive procurement model, benchmarking suppliers and renegotiating supply arrangements.
- Rebalanced bulk and rack purchasing strategies based on spread analysis and volatility exposure.
- Improved cross-functional alignment between supply, pricing, logistics, and finance to ensure sourcing decisions supported both operational reliability and margin performance.
- Increased transparency into pipeline and terminal positioning to support more proactive, data-driven buying decisions.
Case Study
Director – Fuel Supply & Commercial Strategy - SEI Fuel Services (7-Eleven) | 2012–2016, 2020–2025
Situation:
When I stepped into the Director role, the fuel supply organization was operating largely in a status quo environment — relying on incumbent suppliers and legacy sourcing patterns without actively pursuing competitive pricing or diversified supply security. This limited margin optimization and left the company exposed to rack volatility across a portfolio moving approximately 13 million gallons per month.
My mandate was to strengthen commercial discipline within supply operations — drive competitive pricing, secure assured sourcing, and align procurement strategy with enterprise margin objectives while maintaining reliable fuel supply to thousands of retail sites.
The Results
The shift generated a 5% cost savings on 13 million gallons per month at an average cost of $2.10 per gallon — equating to approximately $1.36 million in monthly savings (~$16 million annually) — while simultaneously strengthening supply reliability and reducing exposure to volatile rack pricing.
Task/Activity:
- Centralized pipeline nominations and terminal coordination, acting as the single-source scheduling lead across multiple states.
- Standardized communication protocols with pipeline operators, terminals, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to reduce execution errors.
- Closely monitored storage levels and blend specifications to prevent off-spec shipments and supply gaps.
- Developed contingency routing and scheduling plans to mitigate short-term disruptions.
- Partnered with accounting to ensure physical movements aligned with invoicing during the transition period.
Case Study
Product Scheduler – Fuel Logistics & Integration - SEI Fuel Services (7-Eleven) | 2017-2020
Situation:
Following the acquisition of more than 1,000 sites, the transition from the incumbent supplier to 7-Eleven as the primary supplier was chaotic. Pipeline nominations, terminal access, scheduling systems, and communication channels were misaligned, creating significant risk of stockouts, emergency spot purchases, and delivery disruptions
I was responsible for stabilizing scheduling and supply logistics during the transition — integrating the acquired sites into a unified supply framework while maintaining regulatory compliance, gasoline quality standards, and uninterrupted delivery to retail locations.
The Results
By consolidating scheduling oversight and introducing structured coordination, I stabilized operations and significantly reduced supply volatility. Emergency fuel purchases were reduced by more than 50%, as reported by our trucking partner, restoring reliability and materially lowering premium freight exposure during a highly disruptive integration.
Task/Activity:
- Immediately reassessed the regional account portfolio to identify high-potential replacement opportunities.
- Leveraged existing relationships and negotiated expanded supply agreements with Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons.
- Structured agreements that aligned pricing strategy, logistics execution, and supply commitments to ensure both competitiveness and margin discipline.
- Coordinated internally across pricing, supply, and logistics to ensure seamless onboarding and execution of new volume.
Case Study
Manager, National Accounts - Regional Manager - HF Sinclair / HollyFrontier Refining & Marketing 1998-2012
Situation:
While managing national account relationships, we supplied 100% of BP’s fuel volumes in the Denver market — representing a significant portion of regional throughput. When BP divested those locations to another supplier, we faced a substantial and immediate loss of contracted volume, creating both revenue and utilization risk.
I was responsible for protecting regional performance by replacing lost volume quickly while maintaining margin integrity and preserving refinery and terminal throughput levels.
The Results
We successfully replaced — and ultimately exceeded — the lost BP volume through expanded agreements with major grocery retailers. This preserved regional throughput, protected margin performance, and demonstrated the strength and flexibility of our national account strategy during a significant customer transition.
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Testimonials
What People Say
” had the privilege of working with Rich May, and he consistently proved to be an exceptional direct report. Rich approaches every assignment with focus, accountability, and a strong sense of ownership. Throughout our time working together, he achieved every goal and responsibility he was given, often exceeding expectations through his initiative and attention to detail.
Rich communicates clearly, follows through reliably, and brings a positive, solutions-oriented mindset to the team. His ability to stay organized, adapt quickly, and deliver high-quality work made him someone I could always count on. Rich is a true asset to any team, and I’m confident he will continue to excel in every role he takes on.”
“I was a large industrial customer of Frontier Refining. Rich was the lead marketer who handled our account. Rich is always attentive to the needs of the customer and is a high level problem solver. During this time, there were two occurrences that have been one time events during my career. One was a winter storm with temperatures in the negative 40’s. Rich went above and beyond working with his refinery to make sure we had diesel cold flow properties that would keep our customers rolling during the extreme cold. What we leaned from this experience, was Rich could get the cold flow properties plenty low enough, but the dispenser rubber hoses froze before the fuel gelled. On the other occasion we had many trucks down on the lot and on the interstate due to off spec blue diesel. Rich working with his refinery lab, discovered the blue was the fluid between the double walled tanks and had enter the fuel stream due to a crack in the inner wall.
Rich was always fair in his business dealings and was constantly thinking ahead toward keeping his customers secure for competitors encroachment.
Rich is a knowledgeable, experienced, veteran of the fuels business with exceptional people skills to go with his experience, that would be an asset to any organization.”