With nearly 30 years in the petroleum business, Mayne Hill knows that risk is always part of the equation. Through the MRA program, he’s gaining the tools to manage that risk strategically – transforming challenges into growth opportunities.
Get to know Mayne
Program: Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA)
Start date: Spring 2023
Anticipated graduation date: Fall 2025
Current location: Advance, NC
Life before Jenkins
Work experience: 29 years
Industries: Petroleum
Roles: Operations, Project Management
Fields: Wholesale Distribution
Undergraduate education: B.S. in Management with a concentration in finance, NC State
Career goals
After nearly three decades in the family business, Mayne has developed a sharp eye for identifying opportunities in everyday challenges. “Problems are opportunities in reverse,” he says—a mindset that aligns perfectly with the principles of risk management and analytics.
“When I started the MRA program, I was at a convention and heard a Charlotte company talk about how they used analytics for Shell Oil,” he recalls. “They reviewed store-level data and improved sales by 10% across 10 locations. That’s the same as building a new store.”
Mayne saw a direct connection between what that company was doing and what he was learning in class. “This industry is moving toward analytics, and this program has given me the tools to be part of that shift,” he says. “I’ve always had to manage risk, but now, I have a process for doing it.”
Why Jenkins?
For Mayne, NC State was a natural fit. “I’m an NC State alum and we’re an NC State family,” he says. “I worked on a project with the NC State Solar Center over a decade ago, and now one of my sons is a biology major at NC State. Another is planning to study biomedical engineering.”
So when Mayne saw the MRA program featured on social media, it immediately caught his eye. “Whenever I want to learn something new, NC State is my first choice,” he adds.
Daily life
Juggling family, work and graduate school takes creativity – and flexibility. “My wife is a teacher, and we have three kids,” Mayne explains. “My schedule is flexible, which means I’m always working. Even at the soccer field or a tennis match, I’m on call. If there’s a supply or operations issue, I’m the one troubleshooting it.”
Despite the demands, he finds ways to make it work. “I try to think ahead, even if I don’t always work ahead as much as I’d like,” he says. “The collaborative nature of the program really helps. I get to coordinate with classmates and work around our schedules.”
What makes it great
After nearly 30 years in his role, Mayne welcomed the opportunity to re-engage his mind in new ways. “When you’ve been in a job that long, sometimes it can feel like autopilot,” he says. “The MRA program challenges me to think differently and approach problems from new angles.”
He especially appreciates the structure and resources he’s been provided. “The program gives you insights, tools and a framework to work from,” he says. He also credits the faculty with making a lasting impact. “Ericka Kranitz is one of the hardest-working professors I’ve ever seen. She’s passionate about what she does and truly cares about her students’ success. There are several faculty members like that in the program.”
Career impact
Mayne sees risk management woven into every part of his role—from supply and operations to project management, construction and equipment.
“I’ve started thinking more critically about the options in front of me and the risks that come with each one,” he explains. “The program has added a new level of complexity and depth to how I manage risk in my daily work.”
Final thoughts
“For anyone considering the MRA program, remember: data is king – but what you do with it matters most,” Mayne says. “This degree isn’t going to make you a data scientist, but it will turn you into a businessperson who understands data, risk and how to prepare for uncertainty. And that’s something every business needs.”
Get in touch
Connect with Mayne at tmhill@ncsu.edu.
Learn more
To learn more about the Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.
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This post was originally published in Master of Management Risk & Analytics.
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