Reflecting on 40 Years in the Motor Fuel Industry

Reaching a career milestone often brings a sense of accomplishment and reflection. For me, the thought of nearing retirement has been both humbling and encouraging as I look back on the past 40 years. While I’m not quite ready to retire, it’s rewarding to think about the legacy I’ve built in the motor fuel industry – a field that has been my career’s foundation and passion for decades.

Here’s a glimpse into my four-decade-long journey and the milestones that have shaped my career:

• Co-Chair of the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) Uniformity Committee.
• Trainer for over 1,000 students, including state auditors, consultants, and industry newcomers.
• Creator of the widely-used resource booklet “Motor Fuel Tax Information by State.”
• Integral team member in designing and developing the Commonwealth of Virginia Motor Fuel Tax Reporting system.
• Expert witness in various motor fuel cases, aiding in legal and compliance interpretations.
• Interviewed on Fox News to provide insights on motor fuel industry topics.
• Contributor to simplifying and streamlining tax determination, compliance, and reporting processes.
• Built lasting professional relationships and systems that continue to benefit the industry.
• Dedicated to sharing knowledge and expertise throughout a steadfast 40-year career.
• Continues to support clients and explore innovative solutions within the motor fuel field.

The First Decade (1985-1995): Laying the Foundation

It all began in 1985 when I joined a small oil company as a tax administrator. At that time, the company operated mainly in the Northeast, and my role encompassed tax preparation. Five years into my position, I was invited to attend my first annual Motor Fuel meeting hosted by the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was a turning point in my career.

Through the FTA’s Uniformity Committee – composed of representatives from state and federal governments, industry stakeholders, and Canada – I found valuable opportunities for professional development. I quickly became heavily involved, taking on leadership roles as the Co-Chair of the Communication Subcommittee and later as the Co-Chair overseeing all four subcommittees. These years were marked by invaluable connections with state tax representatives and colleagues from across the petroleum industry.

The Second Decade (1995-2005): Driving Evolution

The next decade brought growth and opportunity, both for my company and my professional development. With our company expanding, I began building my own tax team to tackle a rapidly changing motor fuel landscape. One of the significant shifts during this time was the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs). Offering incentives for EV adoption became a hot topic at both federal and state levels.

Understanding the need for clarity in the evolving tax landscape, I created a resource booklet titled State Incentives, laying groundwork for what eventually became the “Motor Fuel Tax Information by State.” This publication, still in use today, serves as a critical resource for industry professionals and is updated annually at FTA meetings.

Momentum continued when the FTA approached me in 2004 and asked if I would consider becoming an Industry Motor Fuel Instructor. Though uncertain at first, I accepted the challenge, and that decision marked the beginning of a fulfilling new role as an educator.

The Third Decade (2005-2015): Sharing Knowledge

Taking on the instructor role proved to be more impactful than I could have anticipated. Over this decade and beyond, I trained more than 1,000 individuals – from state auditors to consultants and new entrants to the oil industry. My focus was helping them understand motor fuel compliance, audit defense, and automation.

I also took on new challenges as I joined Ryan Group in Dallas, where I helped clients transition to automated compliance reporting and tackled data reconciliation. This experience allowed me to broaden my perspective on the industry while making meaningful contributions.

Whether through FTA training classes, individual state sessions, or workshops with groups ranging anywhere from 45 to over 100 students, I found immense satisfaction in passing on my expertise. Knowing that my lessons help others climb the ladder in motor fuel tax is a legacy I’m deeply proud of.

The Fourth Decade (2015-2025): Building Systems and Exploring New Horizons

This past decade has brought fresh opportunities to solidify my contributions to the industry. Upon being approached by a company in Springfield, Virginia, I collaborated with the Commonwealth of Virginia on an ambitious project to create a new Motor Fuel Tax Reporting system. Writing system requirements was uncharted territory for me, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding projects of my career.

The process involved applying over 30 years of compliance expertise to create a streamlined and user-friendly system. By December 2018, the system was successfully rolled out, reflecting the hard work and collaboration of my team.

Today, as part of IGEN, I continue to explore innovative ways to solve tax determination and compliance challenges. Supporting clients, refining processes, and helping them focus on data analysis instead of the complexities of tax preparation remains deeply fulfilling.