NuStar Energy

Employees say:

"NuStar embodies its 'caring and sharing' culture through and through—all the way up to the CEO. It's common to see executives at volunteering events serving food, cooking, and welcoming guests. Seeing upper management volunteer their time, rather than just money, makes the culture of giving back to the community feel like the real deal."

Employees say:

"NuStar really cares about their employees not just as workers, but as people. I feel blessed every day to have such an incredible opportunity. I am fresh out of college and instead of looking at me as inexperienced, they saw me working at NuStar as an opportunity to bring new and fresh ideas to the company."

NuStar has continued to avoid layoffs despite cost-cutting efforts, and jumped 29 points since last year’s ranking. The company offers grants of up to $10,000 to employees who are struggling with financial challenges, the loss of loved ones, property loss, and other tragedies. The company has issued more than $968,000 so far in these SAFE Fund grants and doesn't require employees to pay them back. 

Employees with the best volunteer track record or who used their safety training to help someone in need are celebrated annually with the Volunteer of the Year and Heart of a Hero awards, while employees who opt in to the company’s Extraordinary Performer Workshop create individualized development plans that account for their strengths, passions, and the needs of the company.   

Managers are also encouraged to mentor employees through various training programs to help boost the morale of their employees, coach them for better performance, and encourage them to take on new responsibilities.

• In 2022, NuStar’s Brad Barron was one of 12 CEOs who formed Corporate Partners for Racial Equity in San Antonio. NuStar committed $1.8 million to the initiative, which will work toward “equitable education, economic opportunity and community safety and justice.”


• NuStar’s SAFE Fund Program helps employees facing hardships with grants of up to $10,000. In times of illness or bereavement, the company goes so far as to pick up prescriptions and help with travel arrangements or paperwork.


• In 2022, eligible NuStar employees received a 3.5% merit raise, plus an additional $1,000 cost-of-living payout for employees whose base salary was less than $100,000.


• NuStar offers several paths into leadership, including a talent development director who works with managers to identify, mentor, and provide management skills training to employees seen as potential leaders.


• “I have never worked for a company that cared so much about their employees,” said one NuStar worker. “My husband brags to people about NuStar, and he always uses the phrase ‘I have never heard of a company that took care of the employees as much as the company my wife works for.’”