Newsletter

In 2009, Steven Laws had been working in Whiting, Indiana—away from home—for approximately one year. It was then a friend of Laws called and asked if he was interested in working for a terminal company.

“I wanted to get back home and had never worked in a terminal, so I saw it a new opportunity and started working for Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in 2009,” said Laws, who is still with the company today in in Deer Park, Texas as a Safety Specialist II.

For Laws, the best part of his job is getting the opportunity to work with a great team.

“ITC has allowed me to grow as an employee and afforded me opportunity to grow in my personal life as well,” Laws said, offering advice to those just starting out in the industry. “Look, learn and listen; be a sponge absorbing all the information you can. Also, if your new to the liquid terminal business, utilize your resources (veteran employees, policies and procedures, etc.)”

Washinton D.C., February 2, 2024 - 2024 marks a special celebration for the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) as it is the association’s 50th anniversary. Since 1974, ILTA has worked alongside bulk liquid terminal companies and their supplier partners to educate, advocate, and unify the bulk liquid terminaling industry. This year, we invite you to join us in celebrating ILTA’s history of leadership, growth, and service.

Bulk liquid terminals, as the critical storage and logistics nodes for products like oil and gas, biofuels like ethanol, liquid hydrogen, asphalt, food products like molasses, and beyond, play a significant role in our everyday lives.

Over the decades, ILTA has grown from a small body of only a few members to today representing over seventy terminal companies and three hundred supplier companies, from small facilities with only a few terminal tanks to multicontinental organizations employing thousands across the globe. Our annual conference and trade show has grown to be the industry’s leading convention, bringing together thousands in the industry to share their ideas and learn with one another. Likewise, our biannual committee meetings and annual Terminal Operating Practices Symposium offer further opportunities for the industry to grow.

Greg Mouras, General Manager of US Midstream Operations for Shell, got his start in the industry working at the company when he was fresh out of school 20 years ago. As an engineer providing technical support for operations, Mouras worked in upstream operations for 15 years before a new opportunity presented itself in midstream operations in 2018.

“That was when I really got opened up to the terminal industry, specifically in crude, refined products and chemicals,” Mouras said, touching on the two elements of his job he enjoys most. “Definitely the people. I get to work with a great team, extended team, and organization. That's what switches me on is getting to work with people.”

Mouras also enjoys the technical challenges and problem-solving aspects that come along with his role.

“In operations, there’s never a lack of things to work out, whether technically or commercially,” he said. “It really is a 24/7 fast-paced environment, which has always been appealing to me.”

Industry wide, Mouras says he’s noticed a shift over the last several years of companies focusing intently on their bottom lines, in addition to a major shift toward renewable, greener energy sources.

ILTA is excited to announce the launch of ILTA Connect, a new community platform for ILTA terminal members! ILTA Connect is meant for members to share relevant information and news about what’s going on in our industry, ask questions, and foster discussion. In this space, you will be able to join different communities based on committees and working groups.  

This platform is your new “go-to” site to explore environment, health, safety, security, and operations topics and receive rapid feedback from your peers. ILTA Connect serves as a place to continue your conversations from ILTA meetings and events and it is your gateway to members-only resources like safety moments and sustainability reporting shared by other ILTA members.

Log on to ILTA Connect today using your ILTA member account or create an account if you don’t have one! For further questions or resolving any issues with your account, please email membership@ilta.org.

ILTA President Dr. Kathryn Clay and VP of Marketing and Member Experience Leakhena Swett recently traveled to San Antonio to visit two of ILTA's terminal members, NuStar Energy and Howard Energy Terminal. Both ILTA staff members were eager to learn more about the companies' operations and have a listening session on how ILTA can better serve their members.

During the visit, Dr. Clay and Ms. Swett were warmly welcomed by the staff at both terminals, who took them on tours and shared insights into the challenges and successes of their operations. In addition, the ILTA representatives had an open and honest discussion with the members on how ILTA can be a better partner to them, listening to their feedback and suggestions.

The visit to San Antonio was an excellent opportunity for ILTA to strengthen its relationships with its members and gain insight into their challenges. By actively listening to the members, ILTA can better understand their needs and tailor its services to better support them. Dr. Clay and Ms. Swett expressed their gratitude to the members for their engagement and emphasized ILTA's commitment to supporting the industry.

As they departed San Antonio, Dr. Clay and Ms. Swett felt energized and motivated by the trip. They recognized that their representation of the members was making a significant impact. They looked forward to the future, eager to continue their work and strengthen relationships with their members. ILTA remains committed to providing value to its members and creating a community of like-minded professionals who can work together to overcome industry challenges.