* Had no real "R&D" during my tenure. It was a pure refining company with some pipeline and retail. I think they are branching into cellulosic bio-fuels, ethanol plants and wind farming - not exactly game changing ventures. The business environment for this model will be extremely challenging, to say the least.
* Extremely formal, structured heirarchy - even beyond what one would normally expect from conservative corporate environments.
* Strict dress-code for men and women - think suit and tie + San Antonio summers.
* No 9/80's - was revoked during Greehey administration to increase worker productivity.
* Mandatory "voluntary" participation in United Way - minimum of 1% of annual salary for Managers/Supervisors. Annual "United Way" kick-off where Greehey extolled the virtues of giving and derided those employees who did not give.
* Mandatory "voluntary" community service - some departments had "unwritten" 24 hour annual minimums per year - service could not be on Company-time...had to be fulfilled on personal time, such as weekends and vacation.
* Spoken, but "unwritten" expectation to belong to ValPAC (Valero Political Action Committee).
* Entrenched, ultra-conservative "good 'ol boy network"....less than stellar mid-management population.
* A tendency to hire-in external people to "lead" teams and departments, while many loyal, long-term (and capable) employees were overlooked.
* Not a friendly environment for typical "out-groups" - women, non-whites, or members of the LGBT community. Even self-professed hippies (as in 1960's - not the new-age Southern California version) and liberals should tread carefully...it was not-uncommon for employees to be "strongly encouraged" (read cattle guarded) into attending high-profile PAC functions with conservative speakers like Rudy Guiliani.
