MFA Oil Welcomes Summer Interns

May 28, 2025

MFA Oil is providing 13 students with valuable, real-world experience through its summer internship program. The interns will be working with a variety of departments throughout the Home Office.

During the program, interns will contribute to meaningful projects that align with their interests and career goals. The internship program began in late May and will conclude on Aug. 8. The interns will deliver a presentation to highlight their contributions and what they learned in their time with MFA Oil.

Get to know the interns:

Thomas Black, Big O Tires operations

Thomas Black, from Urich, Mo., is an intern with the Big O Tires operations team. He studies agriculture business management at the University of Central Missouri. This summer, Thomas hopes to make new connections and gain valuable knowledge and information to support his career. After graduating, Thomas plans to become a loan officer and potentially return to school to get an MBA. When he needs to grab a bite to eat, Thomas’s favorite choices include Buffalo Wild Wings and Chipotle.

Gabe Fizette, information technology

Gabe Fizette, an intern in the information technology department, is from Golden City, Mo. He has always loved being around technology, which inspired him to study computer networking and cybersecurity at State Technical College. Gabe is looking forward to gaining technical experience that he can use to better understand and prepare for the future of IT. Gabe will graduate in May 2026 and plans to pursue a career as a security analyst or an IT specialist. One of Gabe’s favorite places to eat is HuHot Mongolian Grill because he loves seafood, but especially hibachi grills.

Luke Fougere, Break Time operations

Luke Fougere, originally from Columbia, Mo., will be interning with the Break Time operations team this summer. He is studying supply chain management and business analytics at the University of Arkansas. Luke looks forward to encountering and solving real-world supply chain problems. After graduating next May, Luke plans to travel before settling into a full-time job where he can use his data and analytics skills to optimize a supply chain’s efficiency. Outside of work, Luke looks forward to getting outside, golfing and spending time with family and friends.

Kaylee Gaines, accounting

Kaylee Gaines, an intern in the accounting department this summer, is from Shelbina, Mo. She studies accounting and agribusiness management at the University of Missouri. Kaylee has always enjoyed math and staying organized, so accounting aligns well with her interests. During her time as an MFA Oil intern, Kaylee looks forward to gaining valuable skills that will benefit her education and future career. She is also hoping to gain a sense of what it is like to work in a corporate environment, which is likely where she will be after graduation. Kaylee’s favorite place to eat is COMO Smoke and Fire, as she loves barbeque and has never ordered anything there that wasn’t a 10/10.

Hunter Helmke, operational efficiency

Originally from Rogersville, Mo., Hunter Helmke is working as an operational efficiency intern this summer and is studying economics and statistics at the University of Missouri. During his time with MFA Oil, Hunter hopes to gain valuable industry skills and develop connections within the community. Hunter lives by the Kurt Vonnegut quote, “I urge you to please notice when you are happy and exclaim, or murmur, or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”

Natalie Kientzy, marketing

Natalie Kientzy, originally from Silex, Mo., is an intern in the marketing department this summer. As a strategic communications and agribusiness management student at the University of Missouri, Natalie has always enjoyed writing and connecting with others. During her time at MFA Oil, Natalie is excited to gain experience in the field and learn more about internal and external communications in a corporate setting. One of Natalie’s role models is her grandma, who has always encouraged her to develop her communication skills. Natalie strives to embody her grandma’s hardworking, generous and kind spirit.

Anna Markway, operational efficiency

Anna Markway, from Jefferson City, Mo., is currently dual-majoring in physics and computer science at the University of Missouri. While working as an intern with the operational efficiency team this summer, Anna hopes to improve her knowledge of corporate data structures and develop her data analysis and networking skills. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a corporate path—either utilizing her physics and math skills in an engineering position or her computer science skills in a software engineering position. One of Anna’s role models is physicist Paul Steinhardt, who was a key player in the discovery of quasicrystals, which are now used in a variety of products, including non-stick coatings for pans. Anna admires his drive to pursue what he loved and believed in despite criticism or discouragement from others.

Madison Mitchell, human resources

Madison Mitchell, a human resources intern, is from Springfield, Mo. She is studying psychology with a minor in human development and family science and a certificate in human resource management at the University of Missouri. Through her position with MFA Oil, Madison is hoping to gain real-world experience and broaden her knowledge of HR. She is also excited to build relationships with her peers and learn from her supervisors to better develop her skills. Madison likes to eat at Texas Roadhouse, and she especially enjoys the rolls and honey butter. She likes to eat a lot of rolls, and when her meal comes out, she puts it in a box to save for a second dinner.

Kaden Patel, Break Time operations

Kaden Patel, from Grain Valley, Mo., is an intern in the Break Time operations department. He is studying business management at the University of Missouri, a path he was inspired to take by his dad and grandpa, who both own small businesses. During his time with MFA Oil, Kaden looks forward to gaining insight into how a successful business is run. He plans to graduate this December and pursue a career, possibly in finance or project management. Kaden also hopes to own his own business someday. Outside of work, Kaden is looking forward to going to several Kansas City Royals games over the summer.

Elliot Perrin, information technology

Elliot Perrin, who is working as an intern with the information technology department, is originally from Independence, Mo. He has always been rather tech savvy, which led him to study cybersecurity and criminal justice at the University of Central Missouri. This summer, Elliot is looking forward to gaining a variety of skills that will help him become a more valuable employee. After graduating, Elliot hopes to attend the Kansas City Police Academy, get computer certifications, and become an investigative analyst for the Kansas City Police Department. Elliot’s favorite place to eat is in the backyard on a nice day, as he enjoys quality time with family and friends and would much rather cook his own food than go out to eat.

Ellie Pezold, IT development

From Auxvasse, Mo., Ellie Pezold is joining the IT development team as an intern this summer. Ellie is studying computer science and math at Columbia College. After graduating in the spring of 2026, she plans to pursue a career in software development. During her time at MFA Oil, Ellie is hoping to gain knowledge of software development and other fields within MFA Oil, as well as explore possibilities of future careers. Outside of work, Ellie is looking forward to making progress on her coffee truck, which she is currently in the process of planning and building. Once completed, Ellie hopes to take her coffee truck out on the weekends and to various events.

David Schneider, sales

David Schneider, originally from California, Mo., is interning with the APM sales team this summer. He studies business management and administration at Westminster College. David plans to graduate next spring, pursue a career in agriculture or corporate sales, and eventually work his way through the ranks to become an executive or CEO. David views this internship as the perfect opportunity to get his foot in the door of corporate sales, and he is hoping to gain a lot of new contacts and more knowledge about corporate sales and business operations. A quote that David lives by is, “I’ll show you how great I am” – Muhammad Ali.

Aidan Turner, information technology

Aidan Turner, who will be interning with the information technology department this summer, is from Battlefield, Mo. He is currently studying information technology and cybersecurity at Missouri State University and hopes to gain real-world IT experience and form valuable connections during his time with MFA Oil. Aidan will be graduating next fall, and he plans to find a full-time position after graduating. Outside of work, Aidan looks forward to spending as much time with his friends and family as possible.

MFA Oil looks forward to working with these talented interns throughout the summer.

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