Stillwater Associates is pleased to welcome John Askounis to our team! John brings over four decades of distinguished experience in the downstream oil sector. His extensive background in refining economics, fuels strategy, and regulatory affairs positions him as a valuable resource for clients navigating today’s complex energy landscape.
With a career spanning more than 40 years, John began at Texaco and progressed through senior leadership roles at Tosco, ConocoPhillips, and Phillips 66, before retiring in 2024. Throughout his career, John has demonstrated expertise across multiple critical areas including refining economics and strategy, project analysis, fuels and environmental regulations, and climate policy. He has held refining and headquarters assignments throughout the United States – from California and Washington State to New Jersey and Illinois, finally spending 20 years in Phillips 66’s Houston headquarters.
His leadership experience includes managing teams of various sizes across planning, accounting, compliance, and laboratory groups. He regularly provided strategic guidance to executive leadership and maintained direct communications with regulatory agencies. During his most recent 12 years at Phillips 66, he led the company’s U.S. environmental and fuels policy and compliance teams, representing the organization on key refining, regulatory, and climate issues. The teams under his leadership played a pivotal role in advancing balanced environmental and climate policy outcomes.
John’s hands-on experience with complex regulatory frameworks – from gasoline benzene programs to evolving climate policies – gives him unique insight into how regulatory changes impact refining economics and strategy.
He remains engaged in the transportation fuels space because of its fundamental importance to the economy and everyday life. As John puts it, “Our economy is driven by mobility, and ensuring that mobility remains both sustainable and affordable continues to be a motivating challenge.” This perspective, combined with his practical experience in major investment decisions and regulatory navigation, positions him well to provide valuable insights to Stillwater’s clients facing similar challenges.
Based in Houston, Texas, John enjoys giving back through education and music. He tutors high school students in math, something he sees as increasingly important as more students struggle with the subject. He also plays in jazz and rock bands and enjoys reading.
We’re glad to have John as part of the Stillwater team and look forward to the perspective he brings to our clients and colleagues.
From understanding policy shifts to emerging technology, we'll help you navigate the challenges in the transportation fuels market.We see things others miss.