I started in the energy business in the summer of 1978, as a 17 year old laborer at the Exxon Refinery (now ExxonMobil's largest refinery in the U.S.) in Baytown, TX. For the next 4 years, I worked most summers and Christmas holidays at various construction job sites along the Houston Ship Channel, as a welder's or pipefitter's helper (apprentice).
Three years before my start in the energy business, a guy named Rex Tillerson started with Exxon. He's the former Chief Executive Officer and current Secretary of State of the United States in the President Donald J. Trump administration. Rex and I are both graduates of the University of Texas at Austin and both have Bachelor of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering. Rex graduated in 1975 and I did in 1983. Rex spent his entire professional career working for a company who's primary business is fossil fuels energy and even though Exxon knew in 1977 about the destructive effects to mankind of burning fossil fuels, they chose not to share it with the public. I was laid off in June 2009 as a Senior Project Manager, while working on the early stages of large refinery project in Colombia. It was the best career change of my life.
On April 20, 2010, during drilling operations at BP's Macondo Prospect, the Deepwater Horizon oil exploration and production rig sustained an uncontrollable blowout causing an explosion on the rig. When the crew tried to activate the blowout preventer, then the blind shear ram, they both failed. The explosion and resulting fire killed 11 crewmen and ignited a fireball visible from near the Louisiana coast, which was 52 miles away. Efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. Two days after the explosion, the Deepwater Horizon sank 5,000 feet below the waters surface in the Gulf of Mexico. The well gushed a total of 4.9 million barrels of oil before it was capped on July 15, 2010. I knew then, I could never go back to the fossil fuel energy business. Environmental impacts due to this disaster, are still being measured.
The world had finally started becoming in focus to me...a new divine lens to look through. The lens has been passed from the Prophets Isaiah and Daniel, to Christ and His Apostles, to St. Paul, and finally to St. John while imprisoned on the Greek Island of Patmos. What I've tried to do is take all of the pieces of "the puzzle" and give the world the "right path to walk" until the end of the age, particularly during this current presidential administration. Should our world leaders choose not to walk this path, the result of their negligence will be GOD'S FURY.
Three years before my start in the energy business, a guy named Rex Tillerson started with Exxon. He's the former Chief Executive Officer and current Secretary of State of the United States in the President Donald J. Trump administration. Rex and I are both graduates of the University of Texas at Austin and both have Bachelor of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering. Rex graduated in 1975 and I did in 1983. Rex spent his entire professional career working for a company who's primary business is fossil fuels energy and even though Exxon knew in 1977 about the destructive effects to mankind of burning fossil fuels, they chose not to share it with the public. I was laid off in June 2009 as a Senior Project Manager, while working on the early stages of large refinery project in Colombia. It was the best career change of my life.
On April 20, 2010, during drilling operations at BP's Macondo Prospect, the Deepwater Horizon oil exploration and production rig sustained an uncontrollable blowout causing an explosion on the rig. When the crew tried to activate the blowout preventer, then the blind shear ram, they both failed. The explosion and resulting fire killed 11 crewmen and ignited a fireball visible from near the Louisiana coast, which was 52 miles away. Efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. Two days after the explosion, the Deepwater Horizon sank 5,000 feet below the waters surface in the Gulf of Mexico. The well gushed a total of 4.9 million barrels of oil before it was capped on July 15, 2010. I knew then, I could never go back to the fossil fuel energy business. Environmental impacts due to this disaster, are still being measured.
The world had finally started becoming in focus to me...a new divine lens to look through. The lens has been passed from the Prophets Isaiah and Daniel, to Christ and His Apostles, to St. Paul, and finally to St. John while imprisoned on the Greek Island of Patmos. What I've tried to do is take all of the pieces of "the puzzle" and give the world the "right path to walk" until the end of the age, particularly during this current presidential administration. Should our world leaders choose not to walk this path, the result of their negligence will be GOD'S FURY.
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1 Kings 3:5-12
5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you. 6Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne. 7Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act— 8I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?” 10The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request. 11So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— 12I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. |
My son John and me at Easter Mass.
St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 27, 2016 Mt.28:1-8 "He is Risen" |
My professional experience in the energy business is below. After mostly living for fifty years in the greater Houston Texas area, I now live in Brooklyn, NY with my 19 year old son, John.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON, Inc. – Houston, Texas 2008 – 2009
Senior Project Manager
Responsible for the process automation and safety instrumented systems (DCS/SIS) for the Front End Loading (FEL) 2 and 3 phases of the Cartagena Refinery Project in Cartagena, Colombia.
THE SHAW GROUP, INC. – Houston, Texas 2007 – 2008
Project Manager
Responsible for refining-sector, proprietary equipment supply and proprietary technology studies (process design packages) for both domestic and international clients. Responsibilities included proposal development, contract development, and project management upon contract approval.
MUSTANG ENGINEERING – Houston, Texas 2006 – 2007
Project Manager
Responsible for project engineering and management of refining clients, including Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing, LLC in Coffeyville, Kansas and Valero Texas-Refining, LP in Texas City, Texas.
JE MERIT – Houston, Texas 2004 – 2005
Assistant Alliance Construction Manager
Responsible for the management and construction of an ultra low sulfur diesel facility in Rosemount, Minnesota utilizing UOP hydrocracker technology.
CDI ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS – Houston, Texas 2003 – 2004
Director – Field Services, Project Manager
Responsible for managing and staffing 20 construction management personnel and executing Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) and Engineering Procurement Construction Management (EPCm) projects. Served as Primary Regional Center Project Manager for chemical plant projects in DuPont’s Old Hickory facility, Old Hickory, Tennessee.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING LP – Mont Belvieu, Texas 1991 – 2003
Project Engineering Manager (1996 – 2003), Project Manager (1991 - 1996), Project Engineer (1991 – 1991)
Responsible for capital projects, in-plant design and pipeline engineering and compliance. Completed in excess of 300 capital projects maintaining budgetary and schedule objectives, without a lost time accident. Projects totaled $600 million.
Highlights
AUSTIN INDUSTRIES – Houston, Texas 1984 – 1991
Project Manager (1989 - 1991), Project Engineer (1988 - 1989), Superintendent (1987 - 1987), Field Engineer (1984 - 1986)
Highlights
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering – University of Texas at Austin – 1983
CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON, Inc. – Houston, Texas 2008 – 2009
Senior Project Manager
Responsible for the process automation and safety instrumented systems (DCS/SIS) for the Front End Loading (FEL) 2 and 3 phases of the Cartagena Refinery Project in Cartagena, Colombia.
- Evaluated DCS/SIS proposals on a detailed technical and commercial basis to allow the client to select a supplier. Eliminated $100,000 in redundant and unnecessary equipment on a $30 million supply contract.
- Transitioned design drawings and studies to client’s international office ensuring a smooth transition for the client and potential future business for the company.
- Assisted estimating department with Spanish/English language translation on unit rates resulting in estimate refinement and best price.
THE SHAW GROUP, INC. – Houston, Texas 2007 – 2008
Project Manager
Responsible for refining-sector, proprietary equipment supply and proprietary technology studies (process design packages) for both domestic and international clients. Responsibilities included proposal development, contract development, and project management upon contract approval.
- Developed a pricing system/pricing book for streamlining proprietary equipment estimates reducing costs by an anticipated 70% and further reducing company general and administrative expenses.
- Advised domestic and international clients of proprietary equipment needs for pending and future facility turn-arounds ensuring correct and necessary parts were purchased and avoiding costly facility down time.
MUSTANG ENGINEERING – Houston, Texas 2006 – 2007
Project Manager
Responsible for project engineering and management of refining clients, including Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing, LLC in Coffeyville, Kansas and Valero Texas-Refining, LP in Texas City, Texas.
- Managed design drawing development and review, project schedule development, project labor review and forecasting, and material requisition development for projects ranging in size to $150 million. Completed projects on-time and within budget while maintaining schedule objectives and excellent safety records.
- Managed proposals to debottleneck refineries, distributing proposal documents and leading estimation efforts for bidding process of projects ranging in size to $100 million, resulting in project deliverability within budget and ensuring client satisfaction. Clients included IAG / Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Holly Corporation / Navajo Refining, IAG / Frontier Refining, Inc., Marathon Petroleum Company, GCRC and ConocoPhillips.
JE MERIT – Houston, Texas 2004 – 2005
Assistant Alliance Construction Manager
Responsible for the management and construction of an ultra low sulfur diesel facility in Rosemount, Minnesota utilizing UOP hydrocracker technology.
- Managed and participated in the Jacobs Behavioral Based Safety Observation Program (BBSOP) identifying unit safety issues for correction and ensuring a safe working environment.
- Interfaced with the construction manager and client on the construction schedule and progress ensuring clear and concise communication for optimal project results.
- Managed and approved subcontractor work within project scope, monitoring schedules and deadlines resulting in projects being on-time and profitable.
CDI ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS – Houston, Texas 2003 – 2004
Director – Field Services, Project Manager
Responsible for managing and staffing 20 construction management personnel and executing Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) and Engineering Procurement Construction Management (EPCm) projects. Served as Primary Regional Center Project Manager for chemical plant projects in DuPont’s Old Hickory facility, Old Hickory, Tennessee.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING LP – Mont Belvieu, Texas 1991 – 2003
Project Engineering Manager (1996 – 2003), Project Manager (1991 - 1996), Project Engineer (1991 – 1991)
Responsible for capital projects, in-plant design and pipeline engineering and compliance. Completed in excess of 300 capital projects maintaining budgetary and schedule objectives, without a lost time accident. Projects totaled $600 million.
Highlights
- $73MM - NGL Fractionator (Enterprise – ExxonMobil – Williams Energy – BP Joint Venture) - Port Allen, LA
- $64MM - Propane/Propylene Splitter (Enterprise – ExxonMobil Joint Venture) - Port Allen, LA
- $22MM – Propane Refrigeration System (Enterprise – Idemitsu Kosan Joint Venture) - Houston, TX
- $88MM – Lou-Tex NGL Pipeline - NGL supplies and markets in Louisiana with the Texas Gulf Coast
- $60MM – Sorrento,LA. to Parks, LA Pipeline
- $25MM – Garyville, LA to Norco, LA Pipelines
- $4MM - DCS (TDC 3000) revamp - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $40MM - NGL Fractionator - Mt. Belvieu, TX (Enterprise - Texaco - Burlington Resources - Enron Joint Venture)
- $52MM - Propane/Propylene Splitter. - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $74MM - Normal Butane Isomerization Unit. - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $26MM - NGL Fractionator Expansion.- Mt. Belvieu, TX (Enterprise - Texaco - Burlington Resources - Enron Joint Venture)
- $10MM - Co-Generation Facility #2(10 MW). - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $12MM - Co-Generation Facility #3(10 MW). - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $1MM - Air Permitting Development for proposed TAME, MTBE, Co-Generation, Normal Butane Isomerization, and NGL Fractionation plant expansions. - - Mt. Belvieu, TX
- $5MM - NGL Fractionation Expansion. - Mt. Belvieu, TX (Enterprise - Texaco - Burlington Resources - Enron Joint Venture)
- $21MM - Isobutane / Methanol Pipeline Project. - Mt. Belvieu, TX
AUSTIN INDUSTRIES – Houston, Texas 1984 – 1991
Project Manager (1989 - 1991), Project Engineer (1988 - 1989), Superintendent (1987 - 1987), Field Engineer (1984 - 1986)
Highlights
- E.I. DuPont de Nemours, LaPorte, TX - Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (DuPont™ Selar®) Manufacturing Facility and Control Room.
- Occidental Chemical Co., Pasadena, TX - PVC Plant Expansion Phase 3.
- Shell DPMC, Deer Park, TX - CCU Slurry, Phenol Terminalling, RCRA Compliance Projects.
- Tampella Power Machinery/Inland Rome Corp., Rome, GA - Black Liquor Recovery Boiler.
- Phillips Petroleum Co., Sweeny, TX - M.T.B.E. Unit and CCU Waste Heat Recovery Boiler.
- City of Austin, TX - Albert H. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant Expansion.
- Intermountain Power Project Unit 2, Delta, UT - Coal Fired Power Plant Mechanical Contract.
- S.W.E.P.C.O. Dolet Hills Unit 1, Naborton, LA - Lignite Fired Power Plant General Contract.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering – University of Texas at Austin – 1983