Month: February 2013

Sat, February 23, 8am – 12pm

Petrologistics-newsletter-Feb2013-022113B

Like most K-12 schools throughout Texas, Rucker
Elementary faces a growing problem in reading, writing
and testing. As many of its students speak English as a
second language, they struggle with standardized tests
in English and learning critical reading skills.
Solving this problem has proved to be difficult.
Textbooks have yet to be successful, and computers —
while engaging and effective — are far too costly and
cumbersome to be placed in every classroom.
That’s when Mrs. Bradshaw — the fourth grade English
teacher at Rucker Elementary — had a brilliant idea. If
reading and writing curriculum could be taught using the
iPad, a mobile technology that children in all grade levels
could grasp, then she could finally have a way to get
around the language barrier.
When PL Propylene learned of the issue, they jumped in
to help. Mrs. Bradshaw sat down with the PL Propylene
team last summer to determine how many iPads they
were interested in donating.
“We thought they were going to say one or two, maybe
five,” Bradshaw says. “We couldn’t believe it when they
said 20.”
Before PL Propylene could move forward with the purchase,
it had to be approved by the Houston ISD School
Board. In July, the school board approved a $14,500
donation to purchase the iPads plus the necessary
reading software and equipment. By December, Rucker

Elementary had 20 brand new iPads loaded with educational software and ready to go.

The donation also included a movable dock and charging
station for the iPads. With this system, any teacher is
able to check out the iPads for her students to use. The
teacher also has freedom on where to test students —
they are no longer restricted to a specific desk, table
or classroom.

“ The iPads are a motivator for
students. They’ll work really
hard so that they get to use the
iPad at the end of the day.”

Council Member Dave Martin Hosts First Town Hall Meeting

Houston, TX – Houston City Council Member Dave Martin will host a Spring town hall meetingon Monday, March 4, 2013 at the University of Houston Clear Lake from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend to hear from community and city representatives about ongoing projects, issues and community news related to the immediate area.

“Constituent service is my main priority while representing District E,” says Council Member Martin. “These town hall meetings give constituents the opportunities to not only learn about new developments, but to also give them a platform to raise their questions, concerns and comments.”

Representatives from the City of Houston’s Fire Department, Police Department, Solid Waste Management, Public Works and Engineering and Office of Emergency Management will give project updates and be available to answer any questions the public may have.

Bob Mitchell with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will also attend to give a brief community economic development update. Lisa Holbrook from State Representative John Davis’ office will attend as well to brief the attendees about legislative priorities and issues resulting from the 83rd Legislative Session in Austin.

For more information, please contact Council Member Martin’s office at (832) 393-3008.

Subscribe to Council Member Martin’s e-newsletter and follow him on Facebook andTwitter.

Dear Neighbors of TPC Group:
As we move forward into 2013, we want to take a moment to wish you, our neighbor, a safe and healthy New Year.
Reflecting back on 2012, TPC Group had several successes that improved the way we do business and several opportunities that set the stage for new beginnings. We are happy to share some of the progress with you for which we are very proud.
In the spring, a continuous improvement initiative, The TPC Way, was launched. This initiative utilizes industry best practices to generate significant improvements in our operations, with a focus on increased maintenance efficiency, improved reliability and reduced energy consumption, all while maintaining our ongoing high level of commitment to safety and the environment. The work being done as part of The TPC Way is about our employees working together, to make a difference by living our values, which make TPC a leading company.
In September, TPC received final Board approval for funding of a strategic project that was announced in 2011 to refurbish and restart one of its dehydrogenation units at its Houston Operations. This project will provide isobutylene feedstock for the Company’s performance products and fuels businesses. Since our earlier announcement of this project in 2011, and most recently upon final approval, a great deal of planning and construction has been underway to ensure a safe start-up in the second half of 2014. This project is one of the key initiatives driving the future growth of the Company.
Rounding out the year, TPC completed its sale to First Reserve and SK Capital that results in TPC no longer being a publicly traded company. As we look ahead, we are excited because First Reserve and SK Capital are committed partners who share our goals, understand our industry and business, and will be tremendous assets as we execute our near- and long-term strategic initiatives.
While all these activities lend themselves well to the growth and development of the organization, we are also proud of the work TPC does, and the focus we maintain, on the investment initiatives we make in order to be good neighbors, and a vital member of the community. TPC partnered with the East End Chamber of Commerce in support of education in Houston’s east end, awarded $42,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Chavez High School, sponsored the Oak Meadows Civic Club’s National Night Out and Holiday Toy Drive, and continues its support of OFA Little League. Lastly, the Company’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $85,000 in support of eight non-profit organizations, including the Cossaboom Family YMCA, the East End Chamber Education Foundation and Precinct2gether, all located in Houston’s east end. As always, TPC is pleased to be a part of this community and is proud of the partnerships we have sustained to help foster a better environment for those who live and work in Houston’s east end.
Throughout the year, there may be opportunities for TPC Group to reach out to its neighbors and communicate news and information to the community. Whether it is information you need to know or information we want you to have – the Company wants to keep you informed. We will send periodic updates about our operations, events or emergency situations that may impact our community and our neighbors. Please let us know if you would prefer to opt out of receiving emails from TPC Group.
Should you have any questions or concerns, we encourage your phone calls and emails. We look forward to hearing from you and working together in 2013!
Sincerely,
Kirk Johnson
Plant Manager
713.740.4238
Sara Cronin
Director, Corporate Communications
713.475.5243

EN ESPANOL
Estimados Vecinos del TPC Group:

A medida que avanzamos en el 2013, queremos tomar un momento para desearle a usted, nuestro vecino, un año nuevo seguro y saludable.
Reflexionando en el 2012, el TPC Group ha tenido varios éxitos que mejoraron la forma en que hacemos negocios y varias oportunidades que establecen las condiciones para nuevos inicios. Estamos felices de compartir algunos de los avances con usted, por los que estamos sumamente orgullosos.
En la primavera se puso en marcha una iniciativa de mejora continua, The TPC Way. Esta iniciativa utiliza las mejores prácticas de la industria para generar mejoras significativas en nuestras operaciones, con un enfoque en la eficiencia incrementada del mantenimiento, una fiabilidad mejorada y menor consumo de energía, todo ello manteniendo nuestro nivel actual de compromiso con la seguridad y el medio ambiente. El trabajo que se realiza como parte de The TPC Way trata de nuestros empleados que trabajan juntos, que marcan una diferencia al vivir nuestros valores, que hacen que TPC sea una empresa líder.
En septiembre, TPC recibió la aprobación final de la Junta Directiva para el financiamiento de un proyecto estratégico que se anunció en 2011, para restaurar y reiniciar una de sus unidades de deshidrogenación en sus operaciones de Houston. Este proyecto proporcionará isobutileno como materia prima para los negocios de productos y combustibles del trabajo de la Empresa. Desde nuestro primer anuncio de este proyecto en 2011, y más recientemente con la aprobación final, una gran cantidad de planificación y construcción ha estado en proceso para garantizar un inicio seguro en el segundo semestre de 2014. Este proyecto es una de las iniciativas clave que impulsarán el futuro crecimiento de la Empresa.
Para redondear el año, TPC completó su venta a First Reserve y SK Capital que se traduce en que TPC dejará de ser una empresa que cotice en el mercado público de valores. De cara al futuro, estamos muy entusiasmados porque First Reserve y SK Capital son socios comprometidos que comparten nuestros objetivos, entienden nuestra industria y negocios, y serán de un enorme valor a medida que ejecutemos nuestras iniciativas estratégicas a corto y largo plazo.
Si bien todas estas actividades se prestan al crecimiento y desarrollo de la organización, también estamos orgullosos del trabajo que hace TPC, y el enfoque que mantenemos, en las iniciativas de inversión que hacemos con el fin de ser buenos vecinos y un miembro vital de la comunidad. TPC se asoció con la East End Chamber of Commerce en apoyo de la educación en el extremo oriental de Houston, y otorgó $42,000 en becas a estudiantes del grado doce de la Escuela Secundaria Chavez, patrocinó Oak Meadows Civic Club’s National Night Out y a Holiday Toy Drive, y continúa su apoyo a la OFA Little League. Por último, el Annual Charity Golf Tournament de la Empresa recaudó más de $85.000 en apoyo de ocho organizaciones no lucrativas, incluyendo Cossaboom Family YMCA, East End Chamber Education Foundation y Precinct2gether, todas ubicadas en el extremo oriental de Houston. Como siempre, TPC se complace en ser parte de esta comunidad y se enorgullece de las asociaciones que hemos sostenido para ayudar a fomentar un mejor ambiente para los que viven y trabajan en el extremo oriental de Houston.
A lo largo del año, puede haber oportunidades para que TPC Group se contacte con sus vecinos y les comunique noticias e información a la comunidad. Ya se trate de información que usted necesita saber o información que queremos que usted tenga – la Empresa quiere mantenerlos informados. En caso de estar interesado en recibir actualizaciones periódicas sobre nuestras operaciones y eventos, por favor envíe su dirección de correo electrónico a communications@tpcgrp.com.
Si tiene alguna pregunta o duda, le animamos a que se comunique por medio de llamadas telefónicas y correos electrónicos. ¡Esperamos con interés tener noticias suyas y trabajar juntos en 2013!
Cordialmente,
Kirk Johnson
Gerente de Planta
713.740.4238
Sara Cronin
Directora de Comunicaciones Corporativas
713.475.5243