As a turnaround manager for the HF Sinclair Corp., Jonathan Hawk specializes in improving communication between departments and enhancing their collaboration to ensure capital project goals and timelines are met.
Hawk’s expertise allows his co-workers to operate at higher capacities and push the limits of their productivity without risking adverse effects to safety, compliance or budget. He derives strong satisfaction from helping others grow in their own careers, which in turn enables them to lift up others and continue the cycle of leadership.
Academic Background and Early Career
Despite the industry he currently operates in, Hawk’s education initially focused on aeronautics. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in aerospace maintenance management from Middle Tennessee State University in 2006. He later changed careers, shifting away from the aerospace industry and pivoting toward oil and gas, necessitating a global master’s degree in supply chain and logistics he received from Friends University in 2020.
Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, Hawk served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2015. His time in the military taught him the importance of inclusion and the value of time. The various positions he occupied, particularly his roles as company executive officer and platoon leader from 2009 to 2011, provided him with the experience in logistics and leadership he would later apply in his civilian career.
Hawk also holds several certifications that have bolstered his leadership and management capabilities, including a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from Villanova University that he received in 2014 and a continuing certification from the Project Management Institute.
Developing Expertise in Mentorship
As his career progressed, Hawk found himself in more positions of leadership where he could mentor other leaders. This development began in 2015 at Koch Ag and Energy Solutions LLC, where he served in multiple capacities until he left the company on good terms in 2024.
Hawk recalls helping individuals grow their careers at Koch, an effort he describes as his most notable achievement. His time with the company left a lasting impact on other front-line operators, including one who went on to serve as a plant manager in Dodge City. The continued success of his mentees continues to motivate Hawk to maintain his commitment to empowering others.
Today, Hawk brings this same commitment to his role as turnaround manager for HF Sinclair Corp. In this position, he aims to drive the company’s success through effective leadership and performance, motivating the organization and his team to set higher standards and serve as industry leaders.
Extracurricular Ambitions
When not mentoring others in his profession, Hawk continues to elevate others through activities like serving Hope Community Church and coaching youth sports. As his career advances, he plans to spend more time with his family in the hopes that he can mentor his children before they start their own careers. Hawk also aims to continue serving as an adjunct professor at Friends University, providing him with another avenue to educate the next generation of leaders.
