Kyle Gentry has been named as new Vice President and General Manager at Valero Pembroke Refinery, taking on the new role on February 1.

The appointment follows the retirement of one of the company’s longest serving Vice Presidents and General Managers, Mark Phair, following 42 years distinguished service in the petrochemical industry.

Since joining Valero in 1998, Mark has held a variety of leadership positions including 11 years at the helm of the company’s Wilmington refinery in California and the past three leading Pembroke.

Married with three children, Kyle has ingrained himself within the local community over the past few years, volunteering with his family and completing Ironman Wales in 2023.

He has worked in several director level roles with Valero since joining the company in 2018, including his most recent assignment at Pembroke since arriving in 2022.

Kyle, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University, has supported Pembroke in many endeavours in the pursuit of Valero’s best practices.

He said: “I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Valero Pembroke Refinery and look forward to continuing to work with the outstanding people here.

“Mark has been a great refinery manager and we wish him the best in retirement.”

Mark, who will return to America on leaving the refinery, paid tribute to the workforce and the people of Pembrokeshire for the welcome he has received during his time here.

He says the refinery is in good hands, adding:

“I am incredibly blessed for having the opportunity to serve as refinery manager at Valero’s Pembroke refinery.

“In my short time here of three years, I have come to know and respect the great people of the refinery and Pembrokeshire.”

The refinery’s current Technical Director, Jen Swenton, will replace Kyle as Operations Director.