Key Points

• Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest honored Marathon Petroleum with its 2026 Corporate Philanthropy Award in August.
• The award recognizes Marathon’s support for student financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship programs in El Paso.
• Marathon Petroleum’s El Paso refinery team contributes through volunteerism, community involvement and support for local nonprofit efforts.

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Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest advances economic mobility by preparing El Paso students for future success through programs that build financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship skills. That includes classroom lessons, hands-on learning and the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge.

That student-focused mission was at the center of a recent recognition for Marathon Petroleum. At its annual El Paso Business Hall of Fame event, Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest presented Marathon Petroleum with its 2026 Corporate Philanthropy Award for Marathon’s longtime support for Junior Achievement and broader community involvement in El Paso.

“It was truly an honor to recognize Marathon Petroleum with our Corporate Philanthropy Award,” said Lupe Mares, President of Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest. “This was only the second time since 1995 that Junior Achievement has presented this award to a corporation, which speaks to the significance of Marathon’s commitment to our organization and our community.”

“This was only the second time since 1995 that Junior Achievement has presented this award to a corporation, which speaks to the significance of Marathon’s commitment to our organization and our community.”

Mares said the award is especially meaningful because honorees are nominated by the community, then selected by previous laureates and Junior Achievement’s executive board. Marathon’s nomination reflected both financial support and employee volunteerism, including its involvement in programs that help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

One example is the Stock Market Challenge, where Marathon employees support students as they make fast-paced investment decisions in a simulated market. Mares said the adult version held the evening before the student event gives employees a firsthand look at the experience students will have the next day.

In El Paso, Marathon’s community support has included education, environmental initiatives, hunger relief, health care access, veterans programs and other local nonprofit efforts.

For V.J. Smith, Principal Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations Representative at the El Paso refinery, the recognition reflects the involvement of the broader El Paso team.

“What makes this one special and really meaningful is because it’s a team award,” Smith said. “It’s our entire team here in El Paso that is behind it.”

Smith said Marathon looks for opportunities to support community needs in a way that goes beyond financial contributions, a commitment reflected across the El Paso refinery team.

“We try to look at community support from every angle,” Smith said. “For us, it’s about employees rolling up their sleeves, showing they care and making a meaningful difference in the community.”

That involvement also includes El Paso Refinery Human Resources Director Tommy Skinner, who serves on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest and stays closely connected to local philanthropic efforts.

Together, their involvement points to a shared focus: investing in people, strengthening communities and helping prepare the next generation for what comes next.

Smith said the work is driven by employees identifying areas where they believe they can make a measurable difference.

“It’s doing good for good’s sake,” he said.