Court Hemerick’s life is a mix of adventure, family and a strong commitment to making a difference—both at Marathon Petroleum and beyond. Whether he’s leading emergency preparedness efforts for the company, organizing major volunteer cleanups in the community, or filming sharks off the California coast, he has no plans of slowing down.

“I love what I do and I’m always looking for new ways to make the world a better place,” said Hemerick, Senior Emergency Preparedness Professional for Marathon Petroleum. “There’s a big world out there and I’m just getting started.”

From dugout to drills

Hemerick grew up in a baseball-loving family in Laguna Niguel, California, where he pitched his way through college at Point Loma Nazarene University. When his baseball career came to an end, he quickly shifted gears.

He attended the Santa Ana Basic Fire Academy and volunteered with the Santa Ana Fire Department, where he discovered a passion for emergency response. His journey eventually led him to Marathon Petroleum, starting as a confined-space rescue supervisor for a contractor at the Marine Terminals in Long Beach, California.

What began as a temporary role quickly transformed into a fulfilling career, with Hemerick advancing through various operations roles before joining the Corporate Emergency Preparedness Group.

A day in the life of an emergency preparedness pro

In his current role, Hemerick organizes emergency response drills, exercises and Incident Command System (ICS) training across California and Nevada, while building critical relationships with local, state and federal agencies.

“There’s always something new to learn,” he said. “You have to be flexible and ready to change plans on a moment’s notice. There’s never a dull moment.”

But it’s not just the excitement of the job that keeps him going; it’s the people he works with every day.

“The best part of my job is our team,” said Hemerick. “We all support different areas of the company and country, but we also support each other. I couldn’t ask for better teammates.”

“I love what I do, and I’m always looking for new ways to make the world a better place. There’s a big world out there, and I’m just getting started.”

Making waves in sustainability

While working at the Marine Terminals in Long Beach, Hemerick spent much of his time near the ocean, which he calls his happy place. Troubled by the growing problem of trash and litter in the harbor, he decided to act.

In 2020, he organized Marathon Petroleum’s first volunteer trash cleanup at the Port of Long Beach. He also championed the installation of trash skimmers, floating devices that collect debris from the water’s surface. Thanks to these efforts, the skimmers have filtered over 22 million gallons of water and removed thousands of pounds of trash since May 2024.

“Along with our community partners, we’re committed to making this initiative successful,” Hemerick said. “It’s a big job, but we’re already making a noticeable difference.”

Searching for sharks and snakes

Hemerick’s adventurous spirit extends well beyond his work. With a deep respect for nature and a love for the outdoors, he’s often found exploring environments many people would avoid. His pursuits have brought him face-to-face with some of nature's most feared yet misunderstood creatures, including juvenile great white sharks off the Southern California coast.

Even in the thrill of capturing incredible footage, some of which earned him a spot on Discovery Channel’s SHARK WEEK in episodes like “Shallow Water Invasion” (2016) and “CAUGHT! When Sharks Attack” (2024), Hemerick’s safety-first mindset never wavers.

“It’s thrilling to be that close to such powerful creatures,” Hemerick said. “But it’s also a reminder of the importance of preparation and respect. Whether I’m at work or out in nature, safety always comes first. It’s how I protect myself and the world around me.”

Through his lens, Hemerick highlights not only the beauty of these animals but also the importance of conservation, promoting understanding and protection for marine life.

Raising the next generation

Hemerick’s love for the environment isn’t just a personal passion, it’s a family affair. Whether they’re out on “snake hikes” (their family’s term for hikes where they search for snakes) or participating in beach cleanups, his children Ruby, Ford and Jameson are growing up with a deep appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

“They’ve been raised outdoors, learning how to safely interact with animals and why it’s important to protect these places,” he said. “They’ve got little fear and a lot of love for nature, just like their dad.”

Hometown: Laguna Niguel, California
Education: Associates in Fire Science from Santa Ana College; Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach
Family: Married to Ashley. They have three children: Ruby (11), Ford (9) and Jameson (1.5 years)
Hobbies: Snake hikes, surfing, fishing, spearfishing, baseball and coaching softball.
Describe yourself in one word: Adventurous