Rubicon RoundUp Spring/Summer 2023

A Letter from Mark

New Employees

Technician Interns

Engineering Interns in The Woodlands

Engineering Interns

Career Fairs

Employee Engagement

Backing the Blue with Barbeque

2023 Rubicon Fall Scramble Results

Service Awards

Jambalaya Cookoff

Christmas Crusade

Donuts and Hot Cocoa

Breakfast with Santa Performance Awards

2023 Annual Giving Campaign

2023 Births

2023 Retirements

Dear Rubicon Family,

A Letter from Mark Dearman

Dear

Rubicon Family,

Happy New Year 2024, and I hope this edition of our newsletter finds you and your families all doing well, keeping healthy, and enjoying your time together. February is already upon us, and I wish each of you a successful year filled with professional growth, personal fulfillment, and the gratification that comes from making a meaningful impact Together for our business. Every year brings fresh new challenges and opportunities for continuous improvement, and we will continue to embrace each on our path toward manufacturing excellence. Achieving success through optimal Teamwork provides us with a continued sense of camaraderie that makes our workplace both unique and special – One Family!

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Looking back and reflecting on 2023, I am most proud of the Outstanding EHS performance, and in particular, the completion of a full year of ZERO, NO ASTM Recordables injuries for the entire year, with over 2 million man-hours worked by our associates and contractors. An amazing achievement for a very worthy Team. The past 4 years, 2020-2023, has been our best overall safety performance in our site’s fifty-seven-year history. In addition, our Process Safety performance was excellent and made great strides forward with Zero Tier 1 events, fueled by a renewed focus on Zero Harm and hazard recognition by all of our Teams across the site. Well Done TEAM! You have raised the bar even higher for 2024 and beyond. Thank you!

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2023 proved to be a challenging year for our businesses with demand well below expectations. Destocking continued at unprecedented levels for much of the year, impacting all sectors of Chemicals in the US and globally, a sharp decline from two years of double-digit growth in 2021-2022. The 2024 outlook is much improved, and we expect volumes to increase in all areas of our businesses, requiring utilization of all of our assets on site.

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I would like to recognize the Outstanding efforts and achievements of the Transcend+ Operational Excellence and Manufacturing Efficiency Improvements Teams across the site in 2023. We made significant improvements in the areas of maintenance execution efficiency, operations manpower utilization, and raw material variable costs. In total, the site achieved a 12% improvement in manufacturing efficiency, resulting in a savings of $15+ million annually, and significantly improving our position as a globally competitive business.

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For all of you new to the Rubicon Family, we extend our warm welcome again to you and wish you much success in your careers.

Regards and Best Wishes to all of you and your families.

Highlights from this issue of the Roundup include:

• Jambalaya Cookoff

Mark Dearman, General Manager

• Breakfast with Santa

Please continue to be ever vigilant and focused on ZERO HARM and “Protecting Our House” as we look forward to a very SAFE and successful year for our business.

Regards and Best Wishes to all of you and your families.

Mark Dearman General Manager

New Employees

Brandon Brown, Production Technician

Randall Marler, Production Technician

Roger Clement, Production Technician

Tyler Cambre, Production Technician

Thomas Anderson, Zone Maintenance Engineer

Collin Jenkins, I&E Engineer

James Murphey, Regional Operational Excellence Specialist

Nicholas Carazo, Turnaround Event Leader

Jeremy Jeter, Production Technician

Kenneth Weems, Production Technician

John Gautreaux, Zone Maintenance Engineer

Zachary Richards, Production Technician

Cole Sevario, Zone Maintenance Engineer

Cole Cormier, Sr. Instrument Technician

Jasmin George, Operations Support Engineer

Bryan Randall, Production Technician

Larry English, Production Technician

Trinity Gueho, Production Technician

Alex Madere, Production Technician

Chad Mccoy, Production Technician

Donavan Cavalier, Production Technician

Jesse Viator, Operations Support Engineer

Patrick Chamberlain, Operations Support Engineer

William Nesmith, Production Technician

Cresente “Cris” Gotangco, Turnaround Superintendent

WINTER 2023

Technician Interns

Rubicon welcomed 2 students from local community colleges to the site for our Fall Internship Program. Students studying Process Technology (PTEC) were paired with mentors in various units. They were given hands on experience working with programs and equipment to broaden their skills.

-on experience working

JOSHUA GRIMES

Joshua Grimes is currently attending River Parish Community College for Process Technology. He’s being mentored by Ben Barnes and Craig Armstrong in the Reductions unit.

PEYTON BEIRIGER

Peyton Beiriger is currently attending River Parish Community College for Process Technology. He plans to graduate in the Spring of 2024. He was mentored by Chase Hitchcock and Stephen May in the Aniline unit.

Engineering Interns in The Woodlands

Our 2023 Engineering Interns visited the Huntsman headquarters in The Woodlands, TX, to deliver project presentations to top executive leadership team members in August.

Each internship, we carefully curate meaningful projects for our interns to work on so students can take theories learned in university and apply them to real-world engineering problems.

Several weeks after the project presentations, Chairman, President and CEO, Peter Huntsman hosted a Lunch and Learn session with our interns, where they had the opportunity to ask questions about the history and future of the company and gain tools and insights for their professional development.

Engineering Interns

Rubicon welcomed three students from across the country to the site for our Summer Internship Program. Students studying Chemical and Electrical Engineering were paired with mentors in their respective areas over the summer months.

Chemical Engineering Students

WILLIAM DART

William Dart is from Baton Rouge and a Junior at LSU. William worked with Jim Allbright’s team mentored by Will Rudisill in Operations Support.

They were given hands on experience working with programs and equipment to broaden their skills. At the conclusion of the program, students presented their projects and learnings to senior staff members.

MADDIE DOWLING

Maddie Dowling is from Baton Rouge and a Senior at LSU. Maddie worked with Jim Allbright’s team mentored by Will Rudisill in Operations Support.

Mechanical Engineering Student

GABBY PLUNKET

Gabby Plunket is from Baton Rouge and a Junior at Louisiana State University and A&M College. Gabby worked with Michael Sanders’s team mentored by Andrew Bonderer in the Maintenance Department.

Career Fairs

To start off the 2023-2024 school year, associates spent time at several universities to share all opportunities Rubion has to offer.

To start off the 2023-2024 school year, associates spent time at several universities to share all opportunities Rubicon has to offer.

Eager students at LSU, LaTech, ULL, and our local high schools learned about our company and the products we make in addition to career paths and internships.

Employee Engagement

Meet the Catalyst Crew

The Catalyst Crew was established mid-year to encourage site wide communication while promoting positive change to increase employee engagement throughout the organization and community. Each department within the organization has one representative along with a delegate, totaling thirty-one members.

The committee commenced with a Kick-Off collaboration founding a path forward to foster a positive inclusive environment focusing on communication and growth while increasing employee involvement at the site and in local community programs. Each meeting, the Catalyst Crew communicates action items to support their departments growth, engagement, and increased camaraderie. We look forward to the 2024 year with the Catalyst Crew!

Pat Woods and Shontel Stewart

Backing the Blue with Barbeque

Rubicon hosted its annual barbeque luncheon for the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on September 8, 2023. Each year, Rubicon has this fun-filled event as a thank you for the Sheriff’s department for all that they do to support our site and its employees.

Rubicon hosted its annual barbeque luncheon for the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on September 8, 2023. Each year Rubicon has this fun filled event as a thank you for the Sheriff’s department for all they do to support our site and its employees.

This year’s event was held at the APSO shooting range Training Center across from Lamar Dixon. After enjoying lunch provided by Chop Shop, two speeches were given by both Sheriff Bobby Webre and Rubicon General Manager, Mark Dearman.

This year’s event was held at the APSO shooting range Training Center across from Lamar Dixon. After enjoying lunch provided by Chop Shop, two speeches were given by both Sheriff Bobby Webre and Rubicon General Manager, Mark Dearman.

Concluding the event, the Rubicon HR department raffled a variety of twelve ice chests to the lucky attendees.

Concluding the event, the Rubicon HR department raffled a variety of twelve ice chests to the lucky attendees.

2023 Rubicon Fall Scramble Results

Service Awards

35 YEARS

Bruce Pennington

Jody Rasch

30 YEARS

John Kennedy

Brian Sheets

James Dunn

Jason Anseman

Kevin Krieger

Patrick Miculek

Jason Wills

Lane Savoy

25 YEARS

Jodi Daigle

Carla McAllister

Patrick Hood

Anthony Leblanc

Guy Smith

Kelli Buratt

20 YEARS

Lenora Sullivan

Brice Guitrau

Kyle Daigle

Kristie Forbes

Chad Kunzt

Damonde Williams

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

15 YEARS

Johnny Jones

Yakoot “Zee” Taj

Ory Brown

Cody Gatreau

Lance Little

Rory Mumphrey

Donald Primeaux

Christopher Burke

Kerby Celestin

Brent Smith

Stephen Causey

Jason Cox

Benjamin Barnes

Christin Bercegeay

Lance Leblanc

Stephen Johnson

10 YEARS

Micheal Sanders

Brett Juneau

Aaron Payton

Eric Leblanc

Andrew Bonderer

Sherrie Kinamore

David Lee

Aaron Bickett

Josh Landry

Raymond Montoya

Mark Graham

Kameron Kiger

Daniel Kerr

Adam Canady

Dax Hutson

Kyle Devall

Tracy Babin

Christopher Flanders

Jesse Black

David “Chuck” Jubin

5 YEARS

Valerie Allbritton

Marie Russell

Brett Thibodeaux

Jeremy Foster

Sean Forestier

Nicholas Amoroso

Michael Durbin

Val Saurage Jr.

Christopher Seese

Jennifer Uzee

Mary Landry

Travis Borgeous

Avery Campbell

Will Degraw

Stephen Howard

Mark Benard

Michael Siegel

Angela Gautreau

Tessie Pope

Ryan Melancon

Alex Marse

Ryan Ficklin

Patrick Spann

Robert Kieferle

Byron Towles

Eric Cunningham

Barbara Gai

Jambalaya Cookoff

Thirty-six teams participated in this year’s Rubicon Jambalaya Cook Off .

Sheriff Bobby Webre, Legislative Liaison Roy Quezaire, Our Lady of the Lake VP Chris Trevino, APSB Superintendent Edith Walker, along with special guest “The Voice of the Tigers” Dan Borne judged all plates on taste, color, and texture/ appearance.

1ST PLACE

Robert “Hoss” Reine and Jeff “Dog” Cavin, Turner Maintenaince

2ND PLACE

Kory Medders and David Sanderson, Turner

3RD PLACE

Adam Brown and Austin Guitreau, Maintenance

Rubicon would like to give a special thanks to all volunteers who made this day happen and a job well done to all cooks, especially to the winners!

Christmas Crusade

Every year, Rubicon partners with Ascension Parish Sherriff’s Department (APSO) for their annual Christmas Crusade for Kids.

The program collects toys and monetary donations for less fortunate families in the community. Rubicon associates have the choice to participate in adopting a child to purchase gifts for them to open this Christmas.

This year, Rubicon adopted 30 children and provided them with toys, clothing, and games. Rubicon and APSO – Lasting Partners in the Community.

2023

Donuts and Hot Cocoa

Mid-December, members of the Catalyst Crew turned on holiday music while treating associates to hot cocoa, cookies, and donuts. For the technicians who were unable to visit the Café, Mark Dearman and Christy Blanchard brought warm cocoa and cookies to each unit for both shifts to enjoy!

Breakfast with Santa

Rubicon’s annual Breakfast with Santa was held on December 2, 2023 at Parc 73 in Prairieville. There was a total of 348 attendees which included around 168 children!

, which included around 168 children!

All children in attendance were on the “nice” list and received an age-appropriate toy from Santa. Everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast along with hot chocolate and sweet treats. Face painting, inflatables and pictures with Santa topped off this always wonderful Christmas event for the children and grandchildren of Rubicon associates.

Thanks to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to make this event memorable for the children.

Performance Awards

Performance Awards

JANUARY 2023 FPO

JANUARY 2023

FPO

Ben Nobile

Benjamin Chaney

Benjamin Williams

Brandon Samanie

Brent Tuminello

Bruan Tureau

Bryce Coleman

Camron White

FEBRUARY 2023 FPO

Carla McAllister

FEBRUARY 2023

Chase Hitchcock

Ian Bankston

James Crousillac

Jason G. Talbot

Jesse Jubin

Joe S. Blanchard

Jonathan Rushing

Jonathon W. Simpson

Justin Boudeaux

Kaylie Martin

Kenric Hickerson

Robert Harp

Robert J. Kieferle

Robert Jackson

Robert M. Vucinovich

Ryan Melancon

Shannon Lavigne

Stephen Johnson

Steven Burns

Steven Rasberry

Steven Soileau

Chevis Sing

FPO

Christopher Seese

Clyde Austin

Craig Armstrong

MARCH 2023 FPO

Devin Rodosta

Drake Perret

MARCH 2023

Kolton Delaune

Kyle Falgoust

Lance Schexnaydre

Lane Savoy

Louis Franklin

Luis Murillo

Terry Stewart

Tonka Delatte

Tracy H. Babin

Valecia Murphy

Valerie Allbritton

Vance Gautreau

FPO

Eddie Evans

Eric DeRosa

Gabriel Rouge

APRIL 2023 FPO

Gerald Monteleone

Gregory Theriot

APRIL 2023

FPO

WINTER 2023

Matthew Imme

Natalie Brassard

Nell Guedry

Nick deVeer

Richard Robertson

VJ Saurage

Warren Roberts

Zachary Dornier

Zee Taj

2023

2022 Annual Giving Campaign = Success!

Thanks to everyone that contributed to the 2023 Employee Giving Campaign. This year, Rubicon associates pledged $7,655.96 to United Way and $14,511.53 to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for a total of $22,167.49!

By donating, our associates are providing program support, educational resources and necessities to the community. Rubicon is happy to partner with local organizations impacting our community’s greatest needs, and we thank our employees for their support.

2023 Births

HALLE FORESTIER

Daughter of Sean and Peyton Forestier, was born on June 20, 2023. Sean is the Area Manager of Polyols.

AVERY BROUSSARD

Daughter of Cody and Taylor Broussard, was born on June 28, 2023. Cody is a Production Technician in Aniline.

JOSEPH BLACKLOCK

Son of Codi and Adrienne Blacklock, was born on July 17, 2023. Codi is a Production Technician in Polyols.

MAGNOLIA SAMANIE

Daughter of Dalton and Kayla Samanie, was born on September 6, 2023. Dalton is a Production Technician in Reductions.

REESE MAYO

Son of Tanner and Tristyn Mayo, was born on September 11, 2023. Tanner is a Production Technician in MDI-2.

BURNS BAILEY

Son of Marcus and Laney Bailey, was born on September 16, 2023. Marcus is a Sr. Analyzer Technician in the Instrument department.

MARGARET COLEMAN

Daughter of Bryce and Sarah Coleman, was born on September 20, 2023. Bryce is a Production Technician in Aniline.

CLAIRE CUNNINGHAM

Daughter of Eric and Simone Cunningham, was born on September 28, 2023. Eric is an Operations Support Engineer

RIDGE GERVAIS

Son of Austin and Kasyn Gervais, was born on October 1, 2023. Austin is a Production Technician in Variants.

WELLS THERIOT

Son of Gregory and Marcy Theriot, was born on October 7, 2023. Greg is a Production Technician in MDI-2.

BRAXTON MELANCON

Son of Ryan and Taylor Melancon, was born on October 9, 2023. Ryan is a Production Technician in MDI-2.

LORELAI SINQUEFIELD

Daughter of William and Jamie Sinquefield, was born on October 13, 2023. William is an Operations Support Engineer

EVERETT SING

Son of Landon and Olivia Sing, was born on November 6, 2023. Landon is a Production Technician in Reductions.

TINSLEY SAMPSON

Daughter of Danaray and LaKendra Sampson, was born on November 11, 2023. Danaray is a Production Technician in Variants.

LAILA WILLIAMS

Daughter of Leroy Williams, was born on November 22, 2023. Leroy is a Hybrid Technician in MDI-3.

2023 Rubicon Retirements

Donnie Gonzalez John Lavigne Pete Deweese FPO

Donnie Gonzalez John Lavigne Pete Deweese FPO

Donnie Gonzalez John Lavigne Pete Deweese FPO

Donnie Gonzalez John Lavigne Pete Deweese TonyFPOLeBlanc

Donnie Gonzales

After nearly 25 years of dedicated service Donnie Gonzalez has decided to retire.

Donnie joined the Rubicon family on August 24, 1998 as a production technician in the Variants area. Throughout his career, Donnie was a very loyal and valued member of the team. He always walked in with an easy-going demeanor and pleasant attitude.

During his time, Donnie performed many functions and filled many roles including, production technician, permit writer, and serving on the BBS design team and rescue team for many years.

Donnie was promoted to Senior Technician in May of 2017 and successfully filled that role until his retirement in July 2023.

Donnie plans on spending valuable time with his family and friends during retirement. We want to wish him well and say “thank you” for your many years of dedicated service.

Tony Leblanc

Anthony “Tony” LeBlanc retired after 26 years of loyal and dedicated service.

FPO Retiree

was a very loyal and valued member of the team. He always walked in with an easy-going demeanor and pleasant attitude.

Anthony “Tony” LeBlanc retired from his role as Major Raw Materials and HCl Operations Specialist on January 31, 2024, after 26 years of loyal and dedicated service to Rubicon and our business partners. Tony first joined the Rubicon organization in 1998 as a production technician in the Variants Area, where he quickly advanced through all areas of field operations and was promoted to Sr. Technician in 2003. During his tenure in Operations, Tony was well known as an exceptional trainer and mentor for all new technicians, and in 2006, Tony was selected to the commissioning team for the Huntsman Polyurethanes Shanghai (HPS) Variants unit. Tony relocated to China for several months that year to support the personnel training and a successful commissioning of the new Variants plant. In 2007, Tony transferred to the Supply Chain team in support of the HCl Business, and utilized his operational expertise to drive efficiency improvements in support of maximizing our MDI production capabilities.

During that period, HCl operations and onsite logistics were often a critical component of daily output capacity, and Tony was instrumental to the advancement of our systems and capabilities. In 2008, Tony also played a critical role in the successful startup and commissioning of the Geismar Logistics Terminal (GLT) and the interconnecting pipelines.

During his time, Donnie performed many functions and filled many roles including, production technician, permit writer, and serving on the BBS design team and rescue team for many years.

Donnie was promoted to Senior Technician in May of 2017 and successfully filled that role until his retirement in July 2023.

Donnie plans on spending valuable time with his family and friends during retirement. We want to wish him well and say “Thank You” for your many years of dedicated service.

In 2012, Tony assumed the role of Major Raw Materials Specialist, where he has spent the past 12 years providing outstanding support to Site Operations and Corporate Purchasing with the coordination and management of all major raw materials supplier relationships and contract agreements. Over the past decade plus, Tony’s enduring personal commitment to the role and great relationships with our suppliers, have been key enablers to our success, especially during the most challenging periods, including hurricanes, floods, power outages, and extended periods of poor supplier performance. In 2020, Tony also played a key role in the successful startup of the Air Products HyCO plant as the commissioning manager for the interconnecting pipelines to our site.

I would like to personally thank Tony for his outstanding loyalty, dedication, and commitment over the many years – his insights, knowledge and expertise have contributed greatly to our many successes. We wish Tony all the best in his retirement with many years of great health and happiness enjoying family and his hobbies and interests. Tony also leaves a bit of legacy and tradition behind, as his son Evan also works at Rubicon as a Production technician in the Polyols unit since 2020.

Tony will remain in a part-time capacity through mid-year 2024 to support the transition of his duties to Rory Mumphrey.

John Lavigne

John retired from Rubicon on July 6, 2023, and can now enjoy spending more time with his wife and kids.

John began his career October 19, 1999, as a Reductions Production Technician. In his time as a Production Technician, he successfully operated the TDA Unit, Aniline 1 Unit, Effluent / Utilities Unit, DPA 1 and DPA 2 Unit.

By April 1, 2011, John was promoted to the Reductions Sr. Technician role where he managed quality and on-time shipments of DPA as well as managing the Rubicon site utilities. He later certified as Maleic Sr Technician and operated the Maleic Unit for a short time and ultimately finished his career back as Reductions Sr. Technician.

During his time at Rubicon, John has seen and assisted with the Demolition of the TDA and Aniline 1 Units, as well as the construction and commissioning of the Maleic Unit.

Reductions’ team will miss his experience and leadership on the board, but we all remember fondly the time we did work with him and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Pete Deweese

Pete Deweese retired from Rubicon after 39 years of service.

Congratulations to Pete Deweese! 39 years at Rubicon. Coming to Rubicon in December of 1984 as a contract pipefitter to work a turnaround, Pete moved to a contract planning position in 1998.

Pete became a Rubicon employee in September of 2005 after working as a planner for 7 years. Pete spent many years in the planning department for Rubicon from planner to eventually the Turnaround Planning Supervisor.

Pete was a significant contributor to the TA team in the last 10 years. Pete will be missed as he now spends more time traveling to see his daughter in California, sons locally and time at the camp on Bayou Magazille off Lake Verret. Pete will be spending time Sac-a-Lait fishing and chasing bass with the occasional trip to Grand Isle. First task on the list if to fix up the camp on Bayou Magazille.

Pete said: “I am very thankful to have worked at Rubicon.” And we are glad to have had Pete as part of the family.

Good luck and well wishes from the Rubicon family.