Member Feature: Regina Zolnor, Vice President of Terminals, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Regina Zolnor is a newly appointed board member of ILTA. She currently serves as Vice President of Terminals at Marathon Petroleum Corporation and brings over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.  

We recently had the opportunity to interview Regina about her career trajectory and engagement with ILTA. 

Tell us about how you first got involved in the terminal industry.  

I’ve been in the oil and gas industry for twenty years now, mostly in refining and environmental, health, and safety (EHS). Two years ago, I made a switch into midstream and started leading our northern terminal operations. I was then promoted to lead the overall terminals business component last year.  

What is the highlight of your job? 

I have the privilege of working with a talented team, with the common purpose of being a safe and reliable provider of energy for the regions and communities in which we operate. That purpose sounds simple, but success requires a strong culture around safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence, continuous growth and development of our employees, a strategic and commercial mindset, and a willingness to tackle complex challenges every day. It’s what makes this work exciting and there is never a dull day! 

Any words of encouragement for those who are just starting out in the industry? 

Dive in and be willing to learn! No two terminals are the same and there are so many ways to contribute.  

What would you say to a young person to encourage them to pursue a future career with a liquid terminal company? 

This is a dynamic industry with many career growth opportunities. Whether you start in operations, maintenance, engineering, EHS, or a business support function, there is so much to learn. Also, given we are often considered critical infrastructure, it’s satisfying to know the work you do every day matters to the economy and the well-being of people across the country. That’s something you can be proud of.   

How have you seen the industry change throughout your career? 

The liquid terminal industry has constantly evolved to move and store products that are needed by society. Whether it’s blending ethanol into gasoline, switching to renewable diesel, meeting new environmental requirements, or adopting product quality specification changes, the liquid terminal industry has evolved to allow manufacturers to get their products safely and reliably to the end user.  

How do you think the industry will continue to change over the next 5, 10, or 20 years? 

No one can predict what will happen in the future, but the industry will need to continue to innovate to provide terminal services for bulk liquids. Supply and demand patterns, regulations, technology, and society’s expectations will all continue to evolve, so the liquid terminal industry will also need to evolve to support those changing needs. 

What is your level of involvement with ILTA? 

I just joined the board as a director this past summer. I enjoy helping to steer the direction of the association and support the industry in ways I can. 

What’s your favorite part of being involved with ILTA? 

The people! It’s great to meet and learn from industry peers and share good practices that help us all get better, especially in the EHS space.  

Do you belong to any community or civic organizations you’d like to mention? 

My daughter (5) and I are currently involved in “Chicks for Charity” in Toledo, Ohio. The idea is to experience and learn the joy and dignity of philanthropy from a young age. My daughter runs a concession stand monthly at a local chess tournament, and all the proceeds go to HOPE Toledo, which provides families support for early childhood education. There is no public school pre-k program in Toledo, so many children enter kindergarten without being ready based on kindergarten readiness assessments. HOPE Toledo is working to close that gap. As a mother of three kids, I am passionate about increasing access to early childhood education for all children.  

Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to mention? 

While time for myself is limited, I enjoy baking, exercising, and being outdoors. I love traveling and checking out new places to visit. I enjoy trying new cuisines and learning about different cultures and languages.