Martin Midstream Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: MMLP) has announced a significant leadership transition within its fertilizer operations, marking the culmination of a distinguished career for a long-serving executive and the beginning of a new phase of operational alignment across its sulfur-based businesses. The company confirmed that William “Jeff” Posey, Vice President of Fertilizer, will retire effective December 31, 2025, concluding more than two decades of dedicated service to the partnership.
Following Posey’s retirement, Martin Midstream will consolidate leadership of its fertilizer and sulfur services operations under Michael W. Lawrence, Senior Vice President – Sulfur Services. Lawrence will assume responsibility for the fertilizer division in addition to his current role, bringing both commercial and operational oversight of Martin’s sulfur and sulfur-based fertilizer businesses under a single executive structure. The move reflects Martin’s strategy to enhance synergies across closely related segments while maintaining continuity for customers, suppliers, and industry partners.
A Career Defined by Growth and Leadership
Jeff Posey’s tenure at Martin Midstream spans more than 25 years and mirrors the evolution and expansion of the company’s fertilizer operations. He joined the organization in December 1999 as Fertilizer Sales Manager for the Southern Region, at a time when Martin was continuing to build its footprint in sulfur-based fertilizers and agricultural services.
Over the years, Posey’s leadership and deep understanding of fertilizer markets positioned him as a key contributor to the company’s growth. In 2013, he transitioned into the role of General Manager of the fertilizer division, where he oversaw commercial strategy, customer relationships, and operational coordination across multiple regions. His ability to navigate changing agricultural cycles, commodity price volatility, and evolving regulatory requirements helped strengthen Martin’s position as a reliable supplier of sulfur-based fertilizer products.
In recognition of his sustained performance and leadership, Posey was promoted to Vice President of Fertilizer in June 2019. In this role, he guided the division through periods of both opportunity and uncertainty, including fluctuating demand patterns, supply chain disruptions, and broader shifts in the agricultural inputs market. Throughout these challenges, Posey remained focused on operational discipline, customer service, and long-term value creation for the partnership.
Bob Bondurant, President and Chief Executive Officer of Martin Midstream GP LLC, the general partner of Martin Midstream Partners, praised Posey’s contributions and legacy.
“Jeff has had a distinguished career spanning over two decades of leadership and service to the company,” Bondurant said. “He has led with integrity, deep industry expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the success of Martin’s sulfur-based fertilizer division. I extend my deepest gratitude for his years of service, leadership, and dedication.”
Industry Engagement and Advocacy
Beyond his responsibilities within Martin Midstream, Posey has been an active participant in industry organizations that shape the future of fertilizer and agricultural inputs. Throughout his career, he maintained strong involvement with The Fertilizer Institute, Texas Ag Industries, and the Southwest Fertilizer Conference. His participation extended beyond membership, as he also served on the Southwest Fertilizer Conference planning committee, contributing to educational programming and industry collaboration.
These roles underscored Posey’s commitment not only to Martin Midstream but also to the broader fertilizer industry, where he was widely regarded as a knowledgeable and respected professional. His engagement helped foster relationships across the value chain and supported the exchange of best practices among peers.
As Posey prepares for retirement at the end of 2025, Martin Midstream acknowledged his lasting impact on the organization and the foundation he helped build for future leadership.
Strategic Leadership Alignment
With Posey’s departure, Martin Midstream has taken a deliberate step to align its fertilizer and sulfur services leadership under Michael “Mike” Lawrence, a veteran executive with extensive experience in sulfur and sulfuric acid markets. Lawrence will expand his responsibilities to include fertilizer services while continuing to lead the sulfur services division.
Lawrence joined Martin in July 2008 as General Manager of the Sulfur Services division, bringing with him nearly a decade of prior experience at Koch Industries, where he worked within the sulfuric acid group. His background in commercial operations, logistics, and market development enabled him to quickly make an impact at Martin.
In May 2011, Lawrence was promoted to Vice President – Sulfur, reflecting his strong performance and leadership capabilities. Over time, he assumed broader responsibilities and currently serves as Senior Vice President – Sulfur Services. Across these roles, Lawrence has been instrumental in strengthening customer relationships, optimizing asset utilization, and navigating the complexities of sulfur supply and demand dynamics.
Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Kansas, a background that complements his technical expertise by supporting effective stakeholder engagement and commercial negotiation.
A Recognized Industry Leader
In addition to his executive responsibilities at Martin Midstream, Lawrence is a well-recognized leader within the global sulfur industry. He has been actively involved with The Sulphur Institute for many years, serving in multiple leadership capacities. His service includes two-year terms as Vice Chair, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair, reflecting the confidence and respect of industry peers.
Since 2009, Lawrence has also served on The Sulphur Institute’s Board of Directors and as a member of its Executive Committee, contributing to strategic initiatives, industry advocacy, and the development of best practices. His involvement underscores his deep understanding of sulfur markets and his commitment to advancing the industry as a whole.
Positioning for Continued Success
According to Bondurant, Lawrence’s expanded role represents a natural and strategic progression for Martin Midstream.
“With over 27 years of experience in the sulfur and sulfuric acid industries, Mike is the obvious candidate to lead Martin’s commercial sulfur and fertilizer businesses,” Bondurant said. “This organizational alignment allows us to fully leverage the technical and operational synergies between our sulfur and fertilizer divisions. Mike’s proven leadership, his industry expertise, and commitment to excellence will provide consistency for our business partners and strategically position this core segment for continued success.”
By unifying leadership across sulfur and fertilizer services, Martin Midstream aims to enhance coordination, streamline decision-making, and capitalize on shared infrastructure and market knowledge. The company believes this approach will support long-term growth while maintaining the high service standards customers have come to expect.
As Martin Midstream prepares for this leadership transition, the partnership emphasized its appreciation for Jeff Posey’s decades of service and its confidence in Mike Lawrence’s ability to guide the combined businesses forward. The transition, effective at the end of 2025, reflects both continuity and evolution—honoring past contributions while positioning the organization to meet future market demands.
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