Is Valero’s Gorder ready to embrace his leadership role in San Antonio community?

Now that Valero Energy Corp. officially has a new chairman, president and CEO at the independent refining company, there are certainly some questions of how Joe Gorder will lead the 34-year company.

Valero spokesman Bill Day downplayed any major management changes planned at the company, since the decision to name Gorder the top executive once Bill Klesse retires had been part of the company's management succession plan for some time.

From the company's perspective, the board's recent action might not seem very newsworthy. But for San Antonio's business community, a change of leadership at one of the city's most prominent corporations is of great interest. The company that Bill Greehey built in 1980 from a court-ordered spin-off from Coastal States Gas Corp. continues to have a strong reputation in the community as a great place to work and a philanthropic partner for a number of organizations. Many of those accomplishments stem from the corporate culture Greehey instilled during his tenure.

Valero employees donated more than 131,000 volunteer hours in the communities where they work. Locally, the company supports charitable organizations and scholarships through its sponsorship of the Valero Texas Open and the Valero Alamo Bowl. Since San Antonio is a military community, the company also financially supports USO, Fisher House, the Warrior Support Foundation and WFW.

Neither Klesse, 68, nor Gorder, 57, were available for any interviews today. However, Gorder has worked in a variety of leadership positions at Valero and predecessor companies Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. and Diamond Shamrock. He comes to his position with 27 years of experience. Valero bought Ultramar Diamond Shamrock in 2001.

James Aldridge oversees online content of the newspaper; edits and reports stories for the online edition.