chevron marine people profile: frank fillingim
please tell us about what you do at Chevron and your journey with the company so far?
Having served as a Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Duty Officer in the United States Navy, I have firsthand experience with the operational demands of life at sea and a deep respect for mariners worldwide. I joined Chevron 12 years ago as an engineer in the Manufacturing organization and have since progressed through domestic lubricants sales to my current role as an area manager for international marine sales. I am a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the United States Naval Academy, hold an MBA from the University of Mississippi, and currently serve as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve.
what do you believe Chevron Marine has to offer customers?
Chevron Marine is committed to being a trusted partner to our marine customers. We collaborate closely with them to advance our technology and to deliver on capability and performance. By staying attuned to the evolving marine industry, we strive to consistently meet and exceed customer expectations.
what aspect of your role do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is ensuring mariners have reliable, high performing products to operate their vessels safely and efficiently. They place their trust in us to support their vessels at sea, and to provide high performance solutions to help reduce the challenges they face in a demanding operating environment.
what do you think is the biggest challenge facing the industry at the moment?
The everchanging environment of regulatory compliance is a challenge for the industry today. We must continue to transform how we do business to adapt and navigate these dynamics successfully.
what piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in the energy industry?
Never be afraid to ask questions. “How,” “why,” and “why not” are powerful drivers of progress and innovation. Asking questions is essential not only for learning, but also for challenging existing ways of working. Continually questioning our processes and remaining adaptable is what enables us to improve as a company today and in the future.
what’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful leadership advice I received came from my Commandant at the United States Naval Academy, who encouraged us to continually build our ‘seabag’ of leadership—recognizing that everyone has something valuable to offer. By consistently developing strong habits, problem solving skills, leadership approaches, and professional frameworks, you grow into a more effective leader over time.
what behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success, and why?
I am guided by a quote from General Norman Schwarzkopf: “You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.” I strongly believe in teamwork and in recognizing the contributions of others. By fostering collaboration and mutual support, we achieve far more together than we ever could individually.
what specialised skills, knowledge and/or talents do you use in your work?
I value standardized approaches to project management and problem solving, such as Lean Six Sigma. These proven frameworks promote clarity, effective communication, and collaboration, enabling teams to deliver sustainable solutions.
in one sentence — what makes HDAX 9700 a gamechanger for modern cruise engines?
HDAX 9700 is the next step in the evolution of dual fuel engine oils, providing performance and efficiency in this growing engine segment.
how is real‑time monitoring changing the way cruise fleets manage lubricant performance?
Ships at sea operate as self-contained environments where reliability is critical. Our onboard real-time monitoring technology FAST™ enables informed decision making to help keep fleets operating at optimal performance.
