Mary January reflects on 50 years at TC Energy

The year was 1976. A gallon of gas cost less than 60 cents, Rocky was premiering in theatres across the country and Jimmy Carter was running for President. While the rest of the nation was celebrating America’s 200th anniversary, Mary January was beginning a journey that would turn into a fulfilling 50-year career.

When Mary first joined the Michigan-Wisconsin Pipe Line Company in Detroit, a subsidiary of American Natural Resources (ANR), the workplace looked very different than it does today. There were no laptops, no instant messages and certainly no artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Financial reports were typed on 13- and 24-inch columnar paper, numbers were entered using punch cards and many everyday tasks that now take seconds required a far more manual approach.

It was a different era for both the company and the industry. Over the next five decades, Mary would witness firsthand how both evolved, navigating company transformations, major technological advancements and a rapidly changing industry.

Mary in 1980.

Where it began

After graduating from college, Mary accepted her first full-time role in the financial planning group in Detroit.

As the company evolved from Mary’s early days with Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline Company, through a number of major transformations and eventually into TC Energy, Mary saw firsthand how each chapter helped shape the organization we know today.

Over the course of her career, Mary’s responsibilities evolved alongside the business, yet her connection to finance remained constant.

"The financial side is critical," Mary says. "You have to understand the numbers in order to properly support the business—something a lot of people don't necessarily get to see."

Embracing what comes next

Few employees can say they’ve witnessed the transition from punch cards to AI—Mary has.

Throughout her career, she has approached each new system, process and challenge as an opportunity to learn.

"I've grown up in this company," Mary says. "And all of the transitions that have occurred have increased my growth capacity. That's the way I see it."

For Mary, one of the most notable changes has been the size and scale of the company. What began as a small, standalone company has grown into a leading North American energy infrastructure business with more than 7,000 employees, spanning multiple regions.

Mary playing softball. 

Mary embraced the evolution, finding meaning in being part of so many of the company's defining moments.

“Sometimes change is hard,” she says. “From my perspective, every change we’ve gone through has been a good thing. It’s been challenging, but it’s good to be challenged because that’s how you learn.”

That growth mindset carried Mary through major changes both at work and in life. After relocating from Detroit to Houston, she continued supporting ANR Pipeline, staying connected to the business while building a new chapter in her career.

Culture built through connection

While the tools, technology and size of the company have changed dramatically since Mary's first days in Detroit, she said one thing has always remained the same—our people.

"The people are always friendly," she says. "They've always been willing to help me with my growth and learning. That happened 50 years ago, and it's still happening today."

That sense of connection often extended beyond the office where Mary made some of her favourite memories. During her time in Detroit, she played on company softball teams for years, participating in women’s and co-ed leagues. She was also active in employee-led community initiatives, helping raise scholarship funds for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and supporting local charitable programs.

For Mary, building those relationships helped shape her experience at work—and her appreciation for the culture around her.

ANR softball teams in 1990, featuring Mary.

A legacy of learning

Fifty years after joining the Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline Company, Mary now works in a world that would have been difficult to imagine in 1976. Looking back, she's grateful for the opportunity to build a career in one place. A place where her work has meaning and she's been able to contribute to our shared success.

As we continue to evolve, Mary's story is a reminder that our legacy is carried forward by our assets and business accomplishments—and more importantly, through the people who have helped shape them.

Her advice after five decades is simple: embrace every opportunity to learn, grow and adapt. Use each experience as a chance to improve, move forward with purpose and remain flexible through change—a mindset that reflects our commitment to growth and active learning.