The Asphalt Institute named William L. (Bill) Thorpe, Jr. of ALON USA/Paramount Petroleum Corporation as 2010 Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Institute’s annual meeting in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Bill Kirk of Associated Asphalt was named Vice Chairman of the Institute for 2010 at the meeting, where the Institute also celebrated its 90th anniversary.
“I am honored to serve the industry as chairman of the Asphalt Institute,” says Thorpe. “We have reached record high membership in our 90th year with 104 member companies, and we have a bright year ahead of us in 2010.”
The Asphalt Institute was founded in 1919 and is the international trade association of petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers and affiliated businesses. They promote the use, benefits and quality performance of petroleum asphalt.
Thorpe is Senior Vice President of the asphalt division of ALON USA/Paramount Petroleum Corporation and has been in the petroleum refining and marketing industry for 39 years. He has served in the asphalt industry specifically for 30 years, holding senior management positions with Conoco, Charter Oil Company and Paramount Petroleum Corporation.
Thorpe is currently responsible for all aspects of the ALON USA/Paramount Petroleum Corporation’s asphalt operations, including oversight of supply and transportation, technical services, asphalt product research and development and the company’s 12 asphalt terminals and refineries, primarily located in the western U.S. and west Texas.
A long-time, active member of the Institute, Thorpe has served as a board officer, including Vice President and on a number of AI committees. He chaired the Personnel Advisory committee and the Public Policy/Relationships committee and served on the Meetings Task Force, Marketing and Technical Advisory committees. Thorpe completed his undergraduate degree in Economics and Marketing. He currently resides in Laguna Hills, California.
