When John R. Hall began his professional career at Ashland Oil, Inc. in 1957, he did not know the extent of his future with the company. Within 22 years, Hall made it to the top as chairman of the board and chief executive officer. As chairman of one of the community's largest industries, Hall had a great deal of influence on the economic well-being of Huntington.
Equally important was his influence on the quality of life in Huntington. Hall gave generously of his time and money to Marshall University and was a member of the John Marshall Society, serving on the national board of directors of the Society of Yeager Scholars. He was the national chairman for the Marshall University Foundation's fund drive.
