Mandan refinery selected among community’s best workplaces

Business News

Mandan, North Dakota, Award, Careers
(L to R) YP Partner Liaison Kathryn Spilman with Mandan refinery employees, Refining Engineer Sarah Kempin, Commercial Sourcing Advisor Alex Marzari and Refining Engineer Caleb Meide.

Key points

  • The Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals (YP) Network has honored MPC’s Mandan, North Dakota, refinery as one of the Top 10 Workplaces of 2024 in the local metro area.
  • The honor reflects the refinery’s recruitment and retention, professional development opportunities, volunteerism and benefits.
  • YP brings together young professionals from multiple industries through opportunities for professional development, social networking and community involvement.

An organization supporting both nonprofits and the business community in North Dakota’s state capital has named Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s (MPC) Mandan refinery one of the metro area’s Top 10 Workplaces for 2024. The Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals (YP) Network presented the honor during a recent luncheon at the refinery.

“This award takes into consideration recruitment and retention, professional development opportunities, volunteerism and benefits,” YP President Gabby Abouassaly said. “The refinery received this award due to Marathon Petroleum's commitment to placing employees at the forefront of everything they do.”

Mandan Refining Engineer Sarah Kempin accepts the Top 10 Workplaces award on behalf of the refinery from YP Partner Liaison Specialist Grant Dockter. 
The Mandan refinery is scheduled to host YP’s annual summer picnic next year after also hosting the event in 2023 when bus tours of the facility were provided to show YP members the size and scale of the site. 

YP brings together young professionals from multiple industries through opportunities for professional development, social networking and community involvement. Professional development activities include Epic Impact, an annual event involving national speakers who address leadership topics, and Failing Successfully, a continuing series in which panelists share lessons they learned from past career difficulties and challenges.  

“Another great event is the networking scramble, especially for people who may be new to the community, because it allows them to meet other young professionals and feel more comfortable,” said MPC Refining Engineer Alex Spilman.

YP’s volunteer initiatives range from roadside cleanups to the annual Chill ‘n’ Bowl fundraiser. In 2024, this event benefited the regional Brave the Shave campaign, which funds childhood cancer research and supports families affected by the disease.

“The refinery received this award due to Marathon Petroleum's commitment to placing employees at the forefront of everything they do.”

YP’s 220 members include 15 employees of the Mandan refinery. The refinery hosted YP’s annual summer picnic at the facility in 2023 and is scheduled to do so again next year.

“Marathon has been a great supporter of the YP, encouraging active engagement with our organization,” Abouassaly said. “By hosting events, the refinery helps offer a glimpse into different industries in the Bismarck-Mandan community, providing our members the opportunity to learn more about fields outside their own.”

Mandan refinery employees attended a luncheon with YP members at the refinery where site representatives celebrated the Top 10 Workplaces award and shared details about the refinery and its involvement in the local community.