Valued Veteran
United Refining Co. official’s path has taken him to far away places
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Scott Anderson grew up in St. Marys, and is a graduate from Elk County Catholic class of 2009.
He's taken quote journey over the past 16 years to end up as United Refining's director of media and advertising. That road began while Anderson was a senior in high school. He knew that he eventually wanted to attend college but did not know what he wanted to study. He decided to enlist in the Air National Guard. The opportunity was pointed out by his parents who encouraged him to enlist, serve the country and in turn, receive assistance for his education beyond that.
Anderson went through basic training for two months in San Antonio, Texas, before attending a technical school in Wichita Falls, Texas, to become an aircraft electrical environmental specialist. The long title is due to the variety of responsibilities including inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining an aircraft's electrical power grids and life-support systems.
Obviously, Anderson learned a lot while at tech school. As a high level aircraft mechanic, he dealt with the aircraft electrical and environmental with many aspects from pressurization of the aircraft to landing gear and many more aspects of the aircraft.
Upon entering the training, Anderson said, "I learned so much while I was at tech school. I honestly wasn't very mechanical before going to that school, but within five months, they had me ready to work on airplanes so that was really exciting."
After five months there, he returned to Pennsylvania, and spent two months on base in Pittsburgh.
"I learned the ins and outs of the KC-135 aircraft," Anderson said.
It became what he specialized and worked on for ten years. The KC-135 is an in-air refueling aircraft that meets up with other aircrafts mid-air to connect and refuel.
"An incredible feat to see that happen," Anderson said.
Anderson said that to see the coordination of the speedy aircraft was amazing and he noted that it helped extend the mission of some of these airplanes. Being able to experience and know about that was exhilarating for Anderson.
Fast forward a few years, Anderson attended Slippery Rock University, began in the communication emerging technology multimedia route. While there, he was still doing drill training once a month for the Air National Guard throughout college and two weeks in the summer. A deployment to Q'tar came in the summer of 2014. While there for two months, Anderson said he learned a lot, and one of the biggest shocks was the high temperatures of around 120 degrees each day. He learned a great deal of additional aircraft work as well as what it was like to experience an overseas deployment.
Anderson redeployed in 2015 for two more months there explaining what a great experience it was to be able to meet people from all over. His initial enlistment was for six years and reenlisted for three additional years. Within that nine year timeframe, he met his wife while in college through campus ministry, and they got married the summer of 2015 before his second deployment. Being close to the halfway mark of 20 years retired, Anderson enlisted one last year before making the decision to focus on family. He and his wife, Anna have five children. While he missed the camaraderie, he does not regret the decision. "Parenthood changes everything, in all the best ways," said Anderson.
His varied experiences in both military and collegiate background combined to where he is now, working as the Director of Advertising & Media for the United Refining Company.
"I've always had a passion for veterans and the military. Once I got out of the military, I still had the passion and was extremely excited in 2022 when the Operation Give Thanks program became a reality. It has really been a great avenue to focus that support for veterans."
Realizing a full circle moment, Anderson shared how the military experience taught him a lot about prioritization, organization and dedication as well as being able to take every obstacle head on. Connecting that with being family oriented, what Anderson wants to be known for most is for being a family man. Raising a large family with his wife is busy but he has learned to take things slow and work through issues as they arise in all aspects of life.