Dec. 5 – Lori Flees, President & Chief Executive Officer, Valvoline, Inc.

LEXINGTON, KY – The Rotary Club of Lexington   held its weekly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 5, at The Mane on Main, Chase Bank building on Main St. The guest speaker was Lori Flees, Chief Executive Officer & Presdient Valvoline, Inc.

This meeting will also be on Zoom. For the Zoom link please email, trafton@rotarylexky.org.

If you would like to have lunch, please contact Jenny@rotarylexky.org to reserve your meal.

Lori Flees was named president of Valvoline in April 2022. In her role, she oversees the fast-growing retail services business in North America which operates more than 1,800 Company-owned and franchised service center locations (No. 2 in the U.S. under the Valvoline Instant Oil Change brand and No. 3 in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand as measured by number of stores) serving consumer and fleet customers, and nearly 300 Express Care locations.

Flees joined Valvoline after spending nearly a decade at Walmart where most recently she oversaw all aspects of Walmart’s Health & Wellness business across more than 4,800 locations, including the company’s COVID vaccination operations. She started at Walmart as the head of Corporate Strategy which also included responsibility for global Mergers & Acquisitions. She was promoted to Senior Vice President, Next Generation Retail & Principal, Store No 8., where she led the incubation of new retail capabilities via the deployment of emerging technologies and strategic partnerships (including Google and Microsoft). Lori then moved to running part of the retail operations as SVP and GMM for Sam’s Club Health & Wellness, the 590-site wholesale club’s pharmacy and optical business.

Prior to her leadership experience at Walmart, she spent seventeen years at Bain & Company Inc., where she did a variety of work in consumer goods and services, engineering and construction, industrial manufacturing, and oil and gas. Flees has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, and performance improvement, including experience developing growth strategies for retailers with a combination of company-owned and franchised stores. Early in her career, she worked at Intel and at General Motors.

A native of Michigan, Flees holds a bachelor’s degree in management systems from Kettering University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. She is a recipient of the Kettering University Extraordinary Leadership Award that recognizes leaders of global corporations who inspire their teams to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Valvoline publicly trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VVV.

Rotary in Review  

 THE 150-YEAR OLD ‘NEW’ VALVOLINE 

 On December 5, our Club was delighted to welcome Lori Flees, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Valvoline Inc., to the podium. Lori’s presentation, titled The 150-Year-Old ‘New’ Valvoline, offered an insightful look at the history, evolution, and future of one of Kentucky’s most iconic brands. 

 Valvoline, a leader in the automotive services and products industry for over 150 years, is best known for its motor oils, lubricants, and vehicle maintenance services. Lori began her talk by recounting Valvoline’s humble beginnings in the late 1800s and its pioneering role in the automotive industry. She emphasized that the company’s success is not just due to quality products, but also its ability to adapt in a rapidly changing world. 

 A key theme of Lori’s presentation was how Valvoline continues to reinvent itself for the modern marketplace. She shared how the company has embraced innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions to stay competitive. Under her leadership, Valvoline has expanded its quick-lube business model, which has been vital to its growth. Lori emphasized that, while Valvoline is proud of its legacy, it is now focused on redefining itself for the future. 

 Lori detailed Valvoline’s decision to focus on mobility services alongside its traditional product lines. She discussed how the automotive industry is shifting with the rise of electric vehicles and the need for more sustainable products. Valvoline, she explained, is committed to being at the forefront of this change, embracing new technologies and offering innovative solutions for car owners. 

 Another highlight of the presentation was Lori’s focus on Valvoline’s employees and company culture. She stressed that Valvoline’s global workforce is committed to delivering exceptional service while maintaining a culture of integrity, inclusivity, and social responsibility. Lori noted that Valvoline’s focus on employee development and customer satisfaction has helped maintain its strong brand identity and reputation. 

 Lori also reflected on Valvoline’s long history in Kentucky, its contributions to the local economy, and its commitment to giving back to the community. Valvoline, she explained, is dedicated to making a positive impact in the region, from supporting local charities to promoting sustainability. 

 Lori’s vision for Valvoline’s future is one of continued growth, adaptability, and leadership in the automotive services industry. As she concluded her remarks, she shared her excitement about the company’s future, particularly in expanding digital services, leveraging data and technology, and advancing its sustainability efforts. 

 In conclusion, Lori Flees’ presentation was a powerful reminder that, no matter how established a company is, constant evolution is key to remaining relevant and successful. Through innovation, a focus on customer and employee satisfaction, and commitment to sustainability, Valvoline is clearly poised to thrive in the years to come. 

 Dan Koett