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For the past several years Rubicon has sponsored St. Amant High School as their Adopt a School.  As an Adopt a School, Rubicon sponsor school organizations, volunteer time and recognize teachers for a job well done.  

On May 25, 2018, Rubicon presented St. Amant High School retirees and teachers with perfect attendance with gift cards to Tanger Mall to kick off their summer break. 

​St. Amant High School is a leading school in the state and has a strong focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

A league of volunteer pilots is serving Louisiana in a remarkable way.  The organization Pilots for Patients, established in 2008 and based in Monroe, is flying patients in need of treatment and diagnosis to specialized facilities—at no cost.

The non-profit organization is working on its 10th year of successful missions in which they have completed more than 4,000 flights. There are currently 140 volunteer pilots on the rolls for the organization, more than 80 of whom flew a mission in 2017. Each mission is completely covered by the pilot and they receive no compensation—yes, even down to the fuel.

The flights are organized through a database on the Pilots for Patients website, where pilots can pick certain missions that fit their schedule, as well as a form for patients in need of assistance to fill out. 

Senior Reliability Engineer and Volunteer Pilot – Mark Blair

Rubicon Senior Reliability Engineer, Mark Blair, is a Pilot for Patients volunteer and has been flying since age 18. He found out about Pilots for Patients from his wife who found a brochure for the organization in a local airport.

“To me, it’s a form of Christian ministry,” Blair says. “To help your neighbor—similar to the good Samaritan—helping those who are medically needy gives me a good reason to fly and help someone at the same time.”

Seeking Expansion

Pilots for Patients is currently looking to recruit volunteer pilots to compensate for the growing number of missions. The organization hopes to expand its outreach to more areas of Louisiana that may not be familiar with who they are. All you need to qualify to become a volunteer pilot is 250 hours of flying experience and to own an aircraft—or have the accessibility to rent one.  

For more information about becoming a volunteer, please visit www.pilotsforpatients.org.

Rubicon was recently awarded a silver International Green Apple award for the Aniline Unit Benzene Recovery Project. The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 by the UK-based ‘The Green Organization’. The Green Organization recognizes and awards companies across the globe for environmental best practices. 

Rubicon’s Benzene Recovery Project was completed in 2016 and is projected to recover and recycle nearly 1,400,000 pounds of benzene in 2017. Graham Satterwhite, Process Engineer, and Mickey Campagna, NB/Aniline Area Superintendent, received the award on behalf of Rubicon at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. 

Also, The Green Organization will make a donation is made on behalf of Rubicon to the Green Earth Appeal, and the United Nations Billion Trees Project will plant 100 trees on behalf of the site over the next 12 months.

Chem Friends was launched in 1997 to increase awareness of science and chemistry among our local middle school students. This two-day event includes industry leaders that impress students with hands-on experiments like creating silly putty, slime, lava lamps, soft foam (courtesy of Rubicon) and much more!

Previously, this annual event was held at the Gonzales Civic Center on Irma Blvd, but after the great flood of 2016, the Civic Center has not been able to reopen.

For the 2018 Chem Friends event, industry leaders traveled to various Ascension Parish middle schools and showcased their businesses, products and of course, hands-on experiments.

Rubicon hosted its annual barbecue luncheon for the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on August 18, 2017. Each year Rubicon has this fun-filled event as a thank you to the Sheriff’s Department for all they do to support our site and its employees. 

This year’s event was held at the APSO shooting range facility across from Lamar Dixon. After enjoying lunch, two heartfelt speeches were given by both Sheriff Jeff Wiley and Rubicon General Manager Mark Dearman. 

Concluding the event the Rubicon HR department raffled eleven Pelican ice chests to the lucky attendees.

For several years running, Rubicon has provided food and school supplies for The Christian Assembly (TCA) Summer Learning Program, and this year is no exception.

On July 19, 2017  Rubicon employees went to meet founder, Mrs. Eartha Rayborn, teaching staff, and children attending the program.       

This camp not only focuses on character development but also gives the children a head start for their upcoming school year. 

On the final day, Rubicon handed out backpacks filled with school supplies.  The children were grateful to receive these gifts and are now ready for their first school day!

Leadership Ascension is an annual program sponsored by The Ascension Chamber of Commerce to assist in preparing emerging community leaders for leadership positions in local government, business and community affairs. 

Rubicon’s Employee Relations Manager, Lynell Zirkle, was a part of Leadership Ascension’s 22nd class and a part of the “Rockin’ Through the Ages” team. This team was one of four teams that took home the victory for the best community project!

The “Rockin’ Through the Ages” team provided an outdoor gazebo at the Ascension’s Council on Aging’s facility. The well-designed area is a place where seniors can gather and relax. The gazebo area includes rocking chairs, fans and beautiful landscaping. 

Congratulations to Lynell and the 22nd class of Leadership Ascension!

For several years, Rubicon has provided food for lunches during the Caring Parents of Geismar’s summer camp program, and this year was no exception.

On June 13, Rubicon employees met Doris Green, founder of Caring Parents, and the children participating in the program. 

Caring Parents is a nonprofit organization that hosts a summer camp to reinforce common core Math and English skills through a reading challenge. The children in the program earn prizes for the most books read and correct Math problems completed.