What did you do after Valley?
RY: I went on to Azusa Pacific University where I graduated with a business degree and where I also met my beautiful wife, Amy. We were married shortly after I graduated and then we moved to Houston to join Shell, following Brian’s lead. Sixteen years, 3 children, many jobs, and 3 countries later, I find myself living in London still working for Shell.
BE: Since graduating from High School I’ve lived the bulk of the time in Houston, Texas. Over the years I’ve also done stints in Flagstaff; Bloomington, Indiana; Pittsburgh; Manchester (UK); London and I’m currently living in The Netherlands.

You’ve each worked for Shell Oil for many years; how did you get involved with Shell?
BE: I started at Shell straight after college and fairly quickly convinced Ryan to come and have a look. The hard part was Ryan convincing his new wife, Amy, to make the move to Texas! We both started with Shell in 1999 and were even working in the same office, literally with desks right next to each other… not too different from some classes at Valley!

Tell us a little about your daily work:
RY: My current title is Global Business Supply Manager. I look after 4 global businesses that Shell has including Marine, Aviation, Grease and Base Oils from a supply chain perspective. My team makes sure that the plans each of these businesses have are aligned with our with our products, plants, transportation and logistics capabilities.
BE: I work as the Vice President of Finance for Shell’s global exploration business. It’s our job to go out and find “new” oil and gas. While the majority of my time is spent in the office, I most enjoy getting out in the field to places I never imagined that I would visit. My personal favorites are Alaska, Australia, Brazil and Nigeria.

What’s one surprising thing we don’t know about you?
RY: Each of my 3 children were born on different continents.
BE: I was recently certified in emergency evacuation of a submerged helicopter.

While you were at VCHS, which teachers, coaches or classmates had the biggest impact on you?
RY: Obviously my Mom and Dad (Steve and Linda Yarbrough, both of whom played roles at VCHS during my years) had the biggest and most positive impact on me. Second to my parents were probably my coaches who taught me discipline (Benson), kindness (Barnes), integrity (Broek), scholarship (Kuiper), with many others being very influential.
BE: Dan Kuiper and Greg Haagsma, my coaches in Cross Country and Baseball. They taught me that even though I wasn’t particularly athletically gifted (on my best of days!), that “heart” is the key to doing anything well.

How do you stay connected with your friends from Valley and with VCHS?
RY: I usually make one trip back to Arizona per year to see my family and also get to see some high school friends. I also have 3-4 buddies that I make a point of keeping track of. Otherwise it is social media or getting the scoop from my parents, brothers, and cousins who also went to Valley.
BE: Of course there’s the occasional phone call or email, but I most look forward to the rare chance to connect in person with my old friends and classmates. There are some people that no matter how many years have gone by, we can always pick up right where we left off.

What kind of relationship did the two of you have while at VCHS?
RY: We were very close and share many experiences that we love to laugh about today. Brian has, and always will be, one of my closest friends. I look forward to getting to spend more time with Brian if we can ever manage to synchronize our relocations!
BE: We were best friends in High School, although at the first meeting it didn’t seem that way. Both of our older brothers went to Valley and were in the class of 1990, four years ahead of us. The first day of Freshman year Ryan walked up to meand asked, “Hey, is your older brother Aaron Eggleston?” Convinced I was about to be beaten up for the transgressions of my brother, I eventually acknowledged he was. Thankfully there was no ill will and the friendship grew from there.

Do you have any advice for current students?
RY: Keep the Lord at the center of everything you do and NEVER underestimate the great sacrifice He has made for you. Cherish every moment of those amazing high school years.
BE: Trust in the Lord to help you find your passion. When He leads you to it, follow!