KEITH ALBERTIE:
 
Keith Albertie




 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President of RKA Petroleum Cos. in Romulus. As a member of the third generation at RKA Petroleum Cos., Albertie currently oversees sales in 27 states. He handles all throughput agreements with the RKA Terminal, oversees all government sales and is a leader in the overall RKA mission. The company made its first appearance on the Inc. 5000 at No. 1341 after reporting growth of 267.6 percent in 2007. In addition, RKA is the first company in North America with the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program's BQ-9000 marketer certification for handling multiple-feedstock-based biodiesel throughout its process. Albertie started his career with RKA in 1997 by restructuring the technology within the company alongside Jason Hittleman, RKA's director of biofuels and information systems. Once the foundation was formed, Albertie made improvements in the home heating division and card-lock network and also began the restructuring of the wholesale department. RKA won the contract to supply fuel for Super Bowl XL in Detroit in 2006. Prior to RKA, Albertie worked at NBC Studios in Los Angeles. He received his bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the ice hockey team for four years. In 2005, Albertie was named a Crain's Detroit Business "40 under 40".


WHERE BORN: "Michigan."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "My dad, Roger Albertie, who made me who I am. He taught me how to be an ethical, detailed businessman. I'm very dedicated to the company and my role within the company, and family balance is so important."

LAST BOOK READ: "The Prize by Daniel Yergin."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Persistent, very detailed, organized, dedicated, committed."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "Every day you open the paper and see something about the oil industry. There's a lot of emphasis on alternative fuels, domestic exploration, and the auto industry. But the demand will still be there, even with hybrids and alternative fuels. The last new refinery was built in the 1970s and they've shut down hundreds since then. Refineries are at 100 percent capacity; some are expanding but new ones are not being built. The country could have some of the supply-and-demand problems, and that won't change until we have more alternative fuels or more refineries. Ethanol will still be around and biodiesel will start to come into the market. Having more companies qualify for the biodiesel association's BQ-9000 certification will help get more out there into the market."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "I love my BlackBerry – it's kind of a problem. I'm not a video game guy, but I also like the Nintendo Wii I bought it for my kids."

FAVORITE PLACE: "I do love being at the ice rink playing hockey. That's my little getaway."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Ice hockey. I'm trying to make it golf, but I'm not that good."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Spicy pasta that they make at 220 in Birmingham."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "I play guitar."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "I'd like to be remembered as a genuine person."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.