The dedicated workforce behind our operations in Ohio

The "us" in Cenovus

At Cenovus Energy, our people are the most important part of what we do. We believe that the diversity of experiences and perspectives within our team is key to our success. Our employees bring unique skills and insights that drive operational excellence, safety and innovation across our business. 

In Ohio, where Cenovus operates refineries in Toledo and Lima and a marketing office in Columbus, employees at all levels and with different backgrounds and experience play an integral role in contributing to our success. Learn about three of our people in Ohio at different stages of their professional journey and the impact they make every day.

Seasoned expert: Mike Springer, Senior U.S. Technical Training HR Advisor 

Mike Springer’s remarkable 50-year career at our Lima Refinery began after he graduated from high school and became a Process Operator. During his tenure, Mike held several leadership roles, including being the first Black Refinery Shift Superintendent at the Lima Refinery. In his current role, he is responsible for hiring new process operators, overseeing regulatory training and onboarding staff. Reflecting on his long career, Mike says, “I take pride in having an extensive knowledge of the refining process and being able to share my story of refining with the community.”

Experienced professional: Nicole Minor, Senior Operations Manager, Lima

Nicole Minor has over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, beginning as a Process Engineer at our Toledo Refinery in 2010. She played a pivotal role as the Operations Excellence Manager, coordinating and leading the safe restart of the Toledo Refinery in 2023, after it was idle for more than 250 days.

This safe, one-time restart earned Nicole and the team at the Toledo Refinery one of Cenovus’s highest achievements, a 2023 President’s Award for exemplifying our value to Do it together. Now, as Senior Operations Manager at the Lima Refinery, she is responsible for managing the shift team, driving reliable refinery production, implementing consistency in our operations and strengthening our operational discipline and teamwork at the site.

“I am very competitive, so I tend to be motivated by a desire to make things the best that they can be,” says Nicole. “When I see an opportunity for improvement, my first instinct is to jump in and help because I want to make things easier for others, make the refinery a better place to work and create a business with longevity. In order for Cenovus to be successful, we need to work together and we each have a part to play when it comes to running the business.”

Emerging talent: Andy Spooner, Petcoke & Sulphur Sales Advisor

No day is the same when marketing commodities and products to our customers across the U.S. Midwest. Since joining our U.S. Marketing & Trading Office, Andy Spooner’s ability to adapt and strategically analyze a wide range of logistics and fundamentals has been of great benefit to Cenovus in an evolving and dynamic commodity market.  

“I began my career in 2016 after graduating from Ohio University and with the assistance of Cenovus’s New Grad Program, and finished my MBA in 2022,” says Andy. “I worked with the customer service and marketing departments for several years, enabling me to work with countless different teams on strategies and projects. This exposure on the job and education opportunities set me up well to progress in my new role marketing sulfur, petcoke and decant oil.”  

His excitement about the company’s future and his role is palpable. 

“We’ve got a great team with a breadth of experience to draw on, giving me the confidence to go out into the market and supply new customers directly instead of through intermediaries. Working with customers further down the value chain, coupled with some emerging optimization projects, will make for a challenging and exciting 2025.” 

Together, Mike, Nicole and Andy showcase the depth of talent and diverse roles at Cenovus, and how experience, education and exposure on the job can shape meaningful careers. Their journeys also highlight Cenovus’s focus on development and continuous improvement to drive the overall success of our company and our people. 

LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 2025

Investing where we live, work and play at the Cenovus Superior Refinery
Cenovus's Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, has been an active member of the community since 1951. Read more.
Our people in the U.S.
We put thousands of employees and hundreds of local suppliers and service providers to work to make products that help millions in their daily lives. Find out how our people drive the local economy forward in the Midwest.
Cenovus celebrates milestone refinery anniversaries
Our Lloydminster Refinery in Alberta has been in operation for 75 years and our Lima Refinery in Ohio has been in operation for 135 years and have become local mainstays and active community members. Read more
Share this page