From service to Cenovus leadership: the journey of two veteran team members
On November 11, Canada and the United States honour those who have served and sacrificed their lives in defense of their nations, as well as those who continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. Cenovus Energy values its strong ties to the Armed Forces, with many veterans among its staff and through our special relationship with Royal Canadian Air Force, where our Foster Creek oil sands operations are uniquely situated on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
Randy Kline and Dean Perkins are two Cenovus employees with military backgrounds, both of whom find meaningful connections between their military service and their careers in the energy industry.
Often called reservists, members of reserve forces maintain military skills while also pursuing civilian careers and are “on-call” to support the military during emergencies, including conflicts and natural disasters. In addition to their military service, Randy and Dean share a unique connection. Although Dean is based at our head office in Calgary, he worked in Wisconsin from 2021-2023 to support the restart of our Superior Refinery, where Randy has worked for nearly 30 years.
Randy Kline, Process Shift Supervisor, Superior Refinery
Randy served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, including two years of active duty overseeing KC-135 refueler planes and B-52 bombers. He also supported C-130 missions to transport troops, medivacs and cargo for 19 years with the United States Army Reserve at the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Supporting pilots and ensuring mission success instilled a profound sense of pride and responsibility in him, values he carries into his career at the refinery.
While serving with the reserves, Randy joined the Superior refinery, and for over 28 years he has navigated various roles in operations, from working in the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit to serving as a lab technician, before stepping into his current supervisory position. His military background shapes his approach to leadership, emphasizing punctuality and attention to detail, qualities essential in both the military and refining.
Randy resonates deeply with our values of Do it right and Protect what matters, because he believes that ensuring safety and operational success is a way he can contribute to the output of Cenovus and its impact supporting the local community and broader economy. “Working at the Superior refinery has been a pleasure and a privilege. I cannot say enough about all the employees that help make the refinery a better place day in and day out, and who have made me a better coworker,” shares Randy.
Reflecting back on his time served, Randy says “It was an honor and a privilege to serve my country, an experience I share with my late grandfather.”
Dean Perkins, Senior Vice-President, Canadian Thermal & Conventional Heavy Oil Operations
Dean served as a Combat Engineer in the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserves. Dean completed his basic training in Vernon, BC and served with the 33 Field Engineer Squadron for two years. “I’m proud to have served in the armed forces and deeply grateful to all who have served and continue to serve today,” Dean shares.
“My time in the Canadian Forces taught me many lessons about effective leadership, teamwork and discipline. The military’s dynamic environment parallels many aspects of working in operations. Like the military, we focus on operational discipline and doing things the right way, while continuously adapting to dynamic situations. We use critical thinking and problem-solving skills daily, and rely on effective communication, clear roles and responsibilities and strong teamwork to achieve our goals.”
With over 19 years of experience with Cenovus, Dean has led significant initiatives including the restart of our Superior Refinery, a challenge that showcased the resilience and adaptability of the Cenovus team, reflecting our core values.
Protect what matters is a Cenovus value that resonates deeply with Dean. He emphasizes the importance of safety and operational discipline, ensuring that every team member returns home safely. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement in our operations, Dean exemplifies how military principles can drive success at Cenovus.
Today and every day, we thank individuals like Randy and Dean and all veterans and active service members in the United States and Canada for serving their countries and protecting freedom where our Cenovus staff and their families call come.
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2024
At Cenovus Energy, we respect the deep history and culture of Indigenous people and believe understanding is a key component of reconciliation. Read more about how our teams are engaging in a deeper understanding of the traditional lands.