FINDLAY, Ohio, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- John P. Surma, incoming president of Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), announced today several organizational changes and related officer appointments effective Jan. 1, 2001.

D. Duane Gilliam has been appointed executive vice president, strategic planning, external & environmental affairs and services.

In this new position, Gilliam will direct the company's strategic planning process and will manage joint interest pipeline activities including service on the boards of LOOP and Colonial Pipeline. Additionally, Gilliam will coordinate state governmental affairs activities for MAP.

Reporting to Gilliam will be Randy K. Lohoff, senior vice president, health, environment, safety and public affairs, as well as the organizational managers of purchasing & commercial services and administrative services.

"We're fortunate to have someone of Duane's stature in the industry as one of MAP's key advisers and leaders and as an ambassador for our company," said Surma. "Duane's strong operations background and breadth of experience in areas such as international crude supply will serve us well in MAP's affairs both internally and externally."

Gilliam earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He joined Ashland in 1967 and served in a number of managerial positions before being named executive assistant, director and vice president of administration for Scurlock Oil Company in Houston in 1984. In 1991, he was named president of the new combined Scurlock Permian Corporation. He assumed responsibility as group vice president of Ashland Petroleum Company's crude oil supply & transportation group in 1992. He served as executive vice president, petroleum operations, and senior vice president for Ashland Inc. and president, Ashland Petroleum Company before assuming his current responsibilities as executive vice president, MAP on Jan. 1, 1998.

Gilliam will continue to be located in Findlay and will report to Surma.

Based in Findlay, Ohio, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) is the nation's fifth largest refiner with 935,000 barrels-per-day capacity in its seven-refinery system. MAP's retail marketing system comprises approximately 5,400 locations in 21 states, more than half of which are brand locations.

MAP serves the Midwest and Southeast as a wholesale marketer with 93 light product and asphalt terminals and access, through lease or ownership interest, to more than 7,500 miles of pipeline. MAP is owned 62 percent by Marathon Oil Company and 38 percent by Ashland Inc.

SOURCE Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC