August 8, 2005

For Immediate Release

Contact: Virginia Parker
Phone: 801-624-1000

FLYING J’S SR. VICE PRESIDENT OF REFINING OPERATIONS
DIES IN WEEKEND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Ogden, UT – Flying J announced today that Jeffrey Keith Utley, Sr. Vice President of its Refining Operations and Big West Oil, LLC died Friday, August 5, 2005, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on U.S. Highway 31 about seven miles southwest of Victor, Idaho. He was 48 years old.

Utley was traveling on the mountain road with a group of colleagues enroute to Teton Village, WY (with a final destination scheduled the next day in Livingston, MT), when a mule deer “came out of nowhere” about 5:30 pm and collided with the Utley vehicle. His wife, Kathleen, was a passenger on the bike and received minor injuries. She was treated and released from the Eastern Region Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, about 3:00 am Saturday morning.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their three children, Eric, 27; Jesse, 24; and Stefanie, 15.

In announcing Utley’s death, Flying J’s president, J. Phillip Adams, said: “Jeff exemplified everything we all wanted Flying J to stand for: highest qualities of integrity, work ethic, and unselfishness. He was admired by all for his total consideration, respect and appreciation for others both inside and outside of the company. Jeff had a strong impact on the lives of everyone with whom he came in contact, always leaving a positive and lasting impression. Many were anxious to do business with Flying J because of Jeff Utley. For those of us who had the opportunity to work directly with him, we were privileged to experience an unshakable confidence no matter what the circumstances. In fact, I think the only thing holding Jeff back was our ability to build the support around him fast enough to keep up with him.

“I know Jeff wants Flying J to keep moving forward and we will move as quickly as we can, getting those things in order that will allow us to do that. Individuals and talents like Jeff Utley come along once in a lifetime and we all need to understand that we will never be able to replace Jeff and all of his unique qualities. However, I know everyone will step up to the plate as we move forward.”

One of the most respected men in the petroleum and refining business, Utley was the key figure in Flying J’s overall refining business and instrumental in its recent acquisition of Shell Oil Company’s refinery in Bakersfield, California. Mr. Utley’s 19 year career with Flying J began with the 1986 acquisition of the U.S. downstream assets of Husky Canada which included a refinery in North Salt Lake City, Utah, where Utley was employed as Chief Process Engineer. He was promoted to Refinery Manager in 1987. Utley attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Chemical and Fuels Engineering. Mr. Utley is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has held several positions in professional organizations. He has also served on the State of Utah Hazardous Waste Board and is a current member of Utah’s Air Quality Board.

About Flying J Inc.

Of the 10 million privately held companies in the U.S., Flying J, an Ogden, Utah, based corporation has the distinction of being ranked number 35 among Forbes’ 500 Largest Private Companies in America with 2004 annual sales of $7.3 billion. This fully integrated oil company employs over 13,000 people nationwide through its interstate operations, transportation, refining and supply, exploration and production, as well as its financial services and communications divisions.