Group tries to save Flint Hills

Inside the cold Ector Theater, 26 people gathered in the early evening Thursday to lend their support to an effort to save the place where they've spent part of their lives.

Some were dressed in Flint Hills Resources coveralls, others wore old Rexene or Huntsman jackets, but they all came to hear about an employee stock ownership plan designed to find someone to keep the plant going.

On Nov. 5, Flint Hills announced its intentions to close the plant later this year. But Michael DeShazo, a longtime employee of the plant, decided to do something about it.

"If you put 34 years of your life into a company you're proud of, would you like to see it go down the tube?" he asked. "This company's got a lot of life left."

So DeShazo took $5,000 left over from the old Rexene Employees Association and hired Benefit Capital Southwest Inc. of Dallas. He said the company has already located one interested buyer and several prospective investors.

The group is hoping to convince Flint Hills that it's in the company's best interest not to shutter the plant, DeShazo said. So each of the attendees at the first of two meetings Thursday - designed to accommodate people at the plant who work different shifts - were asked to pay $1 and buy a share in the stock ownership plan.

"I believe we can save them a great deal of money if they work with our investors," DeShazo said.

Around 30 people attended the evening's second meeting at the Ector.

With an employee stock ownership plan, the employees would have a right to approach Flint Hills officials in order to negotiate, DeShazo said. But he added it's important to cooperate with the company, a division of Koch Industries.

"You don't get mad at somebody and expect them to do business with you," he said.

DeShazo said the plant has a future serving a "niche" market, while Flint Hills is interested in a commodities market.

The stock ownership plan is open to all current or former plant employees or contract workers, DeShazo said.

Wayne Palmer, an employee at the plant for 37 years, said he would hate to see the plant go.

"I'm all for anybody that wants to buy that plant," he said. "It's still a viable plant. It can make money for anybody that owns it."

Richard Barrientes, an employee at the petrochemical complex for nine years, said he had a simple reason for showing up Thursday night.

"As an employee, I want to do what I can to help," he said. "I'm aboard 100 percent."

Want to join?

Jack Westerfeldt will be selling memberships in the Flint Hills Employee Stock Ownership Plan today.

>> When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

>> Where: Complex Community Federal Credit Union, 2201 S. Grandview Ave.

>> Call: (432) 638-1299.