Latest NPMA News

The NPMA Chairman of the Board recently announced that Mr. John F. “Jack” Lavin has been selected as the associations’ Managing Director (MD) effective  1 October 2009.    The Managing Director is the chief executive for the association and is responsible for both day-to-day running of the association and developing business plans for the long term future of the NPMA.  Mr. Lavin will fulfill a motivational role for the fuelhandler in addition to an operational role in running the association.    Mr. Lavin comes to the NPMA following a half century of public service.  He leaves behind a record of unparalleled  accomplishments.  His dedication and commitment to the logistics fuels community and the United States Air Force is unprecedented and his contributions countless.  He has made a lasting footprint for future generations to see.

He is a graduate of Northwestern, Executive Civilian Leadership Seminar Program and the U.S. Army Engineering Management Center’s, Emerging Trends in Engineering Technology at Rock Island, IL and the US Army Petroleum Quartermaster Laboratory School at Fort Lee VA. He has served in key advisory positions to the American Petroleum Institute (API), Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Energy Institute (EI) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and other DOD, DOE, DESC and NATO organizations. His expertise is constantly being sought by academia, government and industry.  A recognized fuel systems expert, he was the one sent to England, Germany Thailand, Singapore, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain when major fuel support issues were at stake or operational capabilities at risk.  He is a published author, Petroleum Logistics Planning.  Effective 1 August 2009, The Air Force Fuels Civilian Leader of the Year Award was renamed the John F. Lavin Air Force Fuels Civilian Leader of the Year.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

Retired from USAF active duty as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), his military assignments have taken him to Alaska, Vietnam, Greenland, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Hawaii, Egypt and Sudan. From operating fuel serving and heavy equipment on a small desolate island in the Arctic Ocean to managing the largest and most complex fuels operations in the Air Force at Clark AB, in the Philippines his entire military career was in the petroleum logistics field. He has held key managerial positions at air base, numbered air force, major air commands and HQ USAF organizational levels.   He is a distinguished graduate from USAF Senior NCO Academy and recipient of the Commandants’ Award as well as two Speech Awards from the Tactical Air Command NCO Academy and Leadership School. His experience and expertise led to his selection as the USAF Outstanding Fuels Manager of the Year in 1977 and in 1982 he was selected for retention beyond 30 years in the very selective 33 HYT program. He has chaired and served on numerous committees and study groups who have improved safety and efficiency of fuels operations around the globe. He created the Logistics Education Advancement Program (LEAP) and established the Petroleum Logistics Management Course (PLMC) to train and mentor fuel handlers.  He is the founder and current Managing Director of the National Petroleum Management Association (NPMA).  An ICON possessing “Deep Smarts” in the fuels business, he is affectionately and widely known as “The Godfather of AF Fuels”.  

After 55 years of public service, Jack Lavin leaves behind a record of unparalleled accomplishments. His dedication and commitment to the logistics fuels community and the United States Air Force is unprecedented and his contributions countless. He has made a lasting footprint for future generations to see.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry

Outstanding Civilian Career Service Medal

Exemplary Civilian Service Medal

Civilian Commendation Award

Honor Graduate, USAF Supervisor Management School

Honor Graduate, TAC Fuels Mobility Support Equipment School

Honor Graduate, USAF & USA Petroleum Laboratory Schools

Certified Professional Petroleum Manager, CPPM

Order of the Arrow, BSA

Order of the SPR, NPMA