Meet Our Team: Jim Tefft

Jim Tefft joined Crystal Flash in September 1982 as a truck driver in CF’s burgeoning used oil collection business. As the business became more established and grew, Jim was promoted to manager over the division. Another promotion came along shortly thereafter, putting Jim over CF’s lubricants business as well.

As his role within Crystal Flash developed, Jim made the decision to further enhance his career by earning his Bachelor of Business Administration from Davenport University in Grand Rapids.
Jim’s duties, responsibilities and positions continued to change as the company evolved over the years. Since 1982, Jim has held 10 different positions throughout all aspects of Crystal Flash’s business lines — from driver to Vice President. Over 42+ years, Jim has either worked in, or managed, the lubricants, propane, fuel oil, heating service, transport, retail service station, and Environmental Services business units.

Jim was instrumental in expanding CF’s bulk plant footprint and developing the used oil business into a full line Environmental Services business. The unit eventually grew to collect over 10 million gallons of used oil/waste waters annually, while recycling thousands of tons of oil filters and used antifreeze. He was on the ground floor of NORA, an Association of Responsible Recyclers, formerly known as the National Oil Recyclers Association, and held multiple leadership and board positions in his 25 years as a member.

In 2011, during the sale of CF’s Environmental Services group, Jim transferred to Heritage Crystal Clean, where he worked until 2016. At the end of 2016, Jim returned to Crystal Flash in his final role as Director of Commercial Business, which he will retire from at the end of 2024.

When reflecting on his decades at Crystal Flash, Jim highlights the countless opportunities he was given for professional development and the “42 years of education, learning, and friendships from so many people”. He credits much of the success of his career to the support of his wife.

Jim has been married to his high school sweetheart, Donna, for 41 years. They have four adult children and five grandchildren. Together, they plan to continue their way through their bucket list which includes a trip to Greece and adding more pins to their map as they RV their way through our country’s 63 National Parks.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Jim for his extraordinary contributions to Crystal Flash. Jim exemplifies Crystal Flash’s core values of Pride in Crystal Flash and Safety for People and the Environment. One of his personal missions is to “leave a place better than he found it”—a mission triumphantly achieved, leaving us profoundly grateful and infinitely better for his indelible mark.

 
Jim Tefft