Just a Moment…..

Today I officially crossed a threshold, I was entirely oblivious to or existed. I’m going to give you a little background history of myself. I hope you have a moment and share your thoughts when done. I do feel it is important not only to me but others inflicted with the same.

I have been in the Oil and Gas for a day or two and have seen a great deal of change. I remember being safte while welding on a line consisted of, fire watch was a rope, and instructions to tie off to the welder and pull if needed. I remember before we started any work we would verify the line’s readiness by drilling a small hole in the top and wick thefor fluid then flash it. There always were ditch side discussions between two hands (fight) , then you find them in the bar after work. The first time moving a D-8 i had to have dirction on starting and what is this smaller motor for on the side? Remember the “ZutSuit” some of the first FR’s that were jump suits made from 16oz material. I could go on….I miss those times..

When I joined the “Oil and Gas” family I began as a haul truck driver. I loved making $9.00 an hour,??working 7 days a week in a 1977 Mac with the biggest steering wheel ever. Some other job’s were vac truck driver, crew pusher, crew lead, forman, operator, bending forman, spread boss, coating inspector, supervisor, superintendent, Sr estimator, project specialist, poly inspection, construction specialist, project manger, and a construction manager and much more.?

My journey started out on a r-o-w delivering a load of skid’s. The project manager name was Keith and I guess he identified something in my work and decided to offer me a new job. I will never forget when he asked “Do you want to push a crew for me?”. My reply was shock, I had never worked in a service truck or “Push a Crew”. As always I took the challenge and my journey began. Keith always pushed me to better myself today, then yesterday. He made me understand a man will learn something new every day, and good manger’s dont have know everything. A good manager knows his team and there skills and manipulates that. Alway believe in yourself, love your family, be proud of your job, and always give thanks for what you have. Work harder today than yesterday and everything else will find its place. He and I shoved pipe in the dirt from Vidor, Texas to Mansfield, Pennsylvania. If we did’t have pipe to lay we built pump station, compressor stations,??well hookups, brownfield or greenfield builds, and salt water disposal in Austonio, Texas. It didn’t mater what you needed, we where the crew to do it and had the ability to do it right. He pressed me to believe not only in myself but believe in my team . Make sure to raise your team, and never leave a man in a bind. He was the best “mentor”, friend, brother, teacher I could have had. I will never be able to thank Keith for the knowledge he passed to me.

I have worked for both contractor’s and producer’s like Chesapeake, Midway, KinderMorgan, Exterran, Archrock??and more. I obtained a clear understanding of each side of the wall.??I always believed, success in this industry means you are always developing your skills and learning. When opportunity offers you a chance to learn a new skill, you grab and it.??With that work ethic, slowdown’s,??layoff’s, downshift, market instability,??world instability don’t effect you. Your experience makes you so versatile it’s crazy. Fortunately I was taught and followed this through my journey. Then out of the blue, traversing not only the slowdowns, changes in the culture, confusion in the gender, prices up-prices down, market instability, even witnessing energy independence I receive a call that my position is being dissolved because and redundant. What????

The story above is a tiny clip of my life and where I have been. I never expected to be where I am today. I am thankful for the blessing I have received such as a house, health kids, my loving wife, and opportunities always. The quandary I am facing is O.A. (Old Age) If you don’t know what this is let me clarify. I always had no problem with work. When life gave me lemons, well I made lemon juice cause that is who I am.?

First, the organization I resided with for the past 4+ years notified me, your position was repetitious and being dissolved. What in the heck is that and is there a cure. Well I was given the remedy.??I found myself astonished. Having big shoulders, a strong back and a resume that I am proud of, I began phone calls, job boards,??sending my resume. Calls, emails, calls, video chat, calls and sending my resume to possibilities. I have skill, I will travel, day or night, good driving record, great work ethic, skills with everything from jeeping, coating, laying??1” to 42” including poly for ever. I have built stations that are pushing 3.6bcf, worked at Galena Park for the big KM. I love everything I have done and my mindset is “Whats Next”. I am lucky having a wife and family I adore and Love what I do for a living.

My management skills could be classified as “field hand”??and style is to cut no corners, sugarcoat nothing, I believe that asking a question is bad if you can’t handle the truth. I have always worked with talent team members. I am tuff, cranky, sour, and snarly but far and honest. I have seen some heavy back room deals but??believe karma in the oil-patch is always there. I have had 200+ people working under me, a job with a midstream company that had just starting up, building and start-up of facility being feed by dual 42” smashing 3.6bcf. In the past I have managed large and small projects and always getting emails and calls from someone wanting to talked, tell me about there position, what a great fit. I have always been easy in negotiating wages, benefits and loyal to a fault.?

What? Why would someone be concerned about my age. I’m only 55, there are youngster that cant keep pace with me. My age means knowledge, wisdom, insight and I love to teach. My age, I am wiser now than at 25. My age. Is this real, are you funning me. The news, the headline, the main was larger Oil and Gas companies are not looking for seasoned vets. They want youthful, lean, and 25 years old. Well this is a conundrum I found myself in.