John Moore, senior vice president and general counsel for Murphy USA, was the keynote speaker at the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Tuesday.
Moore is responsible for legal, insurance and corporate communication function at Murphy USA. He is an El Dorado native, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ouachita Baptist University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas Fayetteville.
Moore joined the Murphy Oil Corporation in 1995 as Associate Attorney in the Law Department.
Moore spoke about the long history Murphy has with gas stations and said at the time he began his career with Murphy Oil, they were beginning the process of partnering with Walmart.
In 2016, when Walmart announced they would be building and operating any additional gas stations placed on their properties, Murphy was prepared.
“We immediately went out and started executing and communicating a big plan,” Moore said.
Moore said the “big plan” was to build out the Murphy Expresses. Murphy USA continues to operate 1,100 locations in front of Walmart, “so our partnership with Walmart has not ended, but it’s definitely changed,” Moore said.
By the end of 2017, there were 1,446 stations and they plan to add about 30 more in 2018. They are also going back and upgrading older Murphy gas stations that are already in operation.
Murphy USA has stations in 26 states and serve 1.6 million customers daily. With over 9,000 employees, about 600 are located in El Dorado.
Moore said El Dorado is in the center of Murphy USA’s universe. Most of the stores are located in the southwest, south and southeast.
“Murphy USA strives to support El Dorado and Union County,” Moore said. “Murphy Oil set the bar high with the El Dorado Promise and we’re trying to do our part by supporting the United Way and other local charities.”
Moore said that supporting the Murphy Arts District is one of their main priorities. “We’re so fortunate for the time and effort that has been put in by so many people in this community to make that happen and to make it what it is today.”
Moore said he has heard rumors in the past that Murphy is relocating and to those rumors he says, “look at the evidence … look at what’s going on around you. Murphy Oil and Murphy USA are invested in our community, we’re invested in buildings, in the Murphy Arts District and we’re invested in our people.”
Also announced at the Chamber Banquet, Debbie Harbour was named Ambassador of the Year.
“For the Ambassador of the Year, (Harbour) was very active with all of our events,” said Jaren Books, vice president of membership and events at the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce. “I could call on (Harbour) to help take pictures, record video and much more on a moment’s notice.”
The winner of this year’s Nonprofit Excellence Award was HOPE Landing, with Kristi Lowery and Jenny Williams accepting the award for $5,000.
The two runner-up organizations, both accepting $2,500 awards, were South Arkansas Fights Aids and the South Arkansas Children’s Coalition.
Pamela Griffin, Outgoing Chair, announced Christy Gunter as the Incoming Chair. Gunter said in the new year the chamber will continue to provide networking opportunities, including the Business After Hours, Economic Outlook Luncheons and other special events.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].