Members in Transition Seminar #18

Speaker #1 Name:  Russell Parker

Speaker #1 Title: Chief Executive Officer

Speaker #1 Company:  Phoenix Natural Resources

Speaker #1 Bio:

Russell Parker currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Phoenix Natural Resources, a startup upstream E&P company focused on redevelopment of unconventional resources in the Lower 48.  Mr. Parker began his career at Platt, Sparks & Associates, a petroleum engineering consulting firm. In 2001, he joined Hilcorp Energy Company as a Reservoir Engineer. During 12 years with the company, he held a variety of roles working assets, corporate reserves and A&D as a Reservoir Engineer. In 2007, he became the Asset Team Leader for Tom O’Connor which later became the South Texas Region. In 2009, when Hilcorp began its first unconventional project, Mr. Parker served as the Asset Team Leader executing development of the Eagleford program from inception to the ultimate sale to Marathon in late 2011. After the sale, he led the first Asset Team to work the Appalachian basin for Hilcorp. In 2012, Parker joined Chief Oil & Gas based in Dallas and focused on the Marcellus.  After serving as VP of engineering and acquisitions and SVP of engineering and operations, Parker was later promoted to President.

Event Description/Presentation Abstract: Can’t Find the Opportunity You Want?   Just Create It! 

How many times have you found yourself in a corporate situation and thought, “I know there is a better way to do this”?.   The question is, how do you create the organization that can execute “the better way”.    That is the subject of this presentation, how does one take a concept and turn it into a company?    Through our various roles, SPE Members develop the skills and expertise needed to develop and produce hydrocarbons.    Turning that process into a profitable business venture, however, requires skills, networks, knowledge and sheer drive that you will not find as the subject matter of any course required in Petroleum Engineering.     

Speaker #2 Name:  Ramesh Anand

Speaker #2 Title: President

Speaker #2 Company:  American Personnel Resources LLC, A Tysonite Partners Company

Speaker #2 Bio: 

Ramesh started his company in 1985 in Mumbai, India. Over the years, through his corporate office in Houston and a global network, he has facilitated hiring for diverse positions for clients across industries and across the world. His clients have included Halliburton, KBR, McDonalds, Monsanto, DHL, Bank of America, Hilton group of hotels, Wipro Technologies among many others. Ramesh is very involved in giving back to the community. Ramesh has recently embarked on a paying it forward program with ‘workshops on finding a job’, for professionals in transition. He serves as the Planning & Zoning Commissioner of the City of Missouri City and his passion is rescuing animals - he has rescued about 300 dogs and cats. Ramesh’s recent passion includes participating in marathons, long distance biking and triathlons.

Event Description/Presentation Abstract: How to Prepare for a Job Fair

Most professionals attend job fairs as one of the ways to secure their next assignment.  Ramesh has participated, as a recruiter, in job fairs across the world. He will share common-sense strategies to derive the maximum return from attending a job fair. The discussion will include simple ‘Dos and don’ts’ that one needs to keep in mind while attending a job fair.

Speaker #3 Name:  Jim Raney

Speaker #3 Title: Director, Engineering 

Speaker #3 Company:  Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Speaker #3 Bio: Jim Raney is the Director of Engineering for Anadarko. He is responsible for the development of 20,000 psi equipment for the Deepwater GOM. Prior to his current position, Jim was responsible for technology developments and technical services on a worldwide basis. With 36 years of experience at Anadarko, Mobil and ExxonMobil in a variety of technical and management roles, COL Raney also served in support Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom before retiring in 2005. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jim is past-Chairman of the CSOEM and Chairman of the GISC.

Event #3 Description/Presentation Abstract: Oil and Gas Industry Jobs for Veterans

Returning from military service represents a career transition for military veterans.  Resources like API’s Veterans Energy Pipeline program are designed to address the challenges of discovering what your military skills translate into with the oil and natural gas industry. Learn more about potential careers, review profiles and search jobs to find tremendous opportunity.

Speaker #4 Title: Director of Operations and Strategy

Speaker #4 Company:  IPT Global, LLC

Speaker #4 Bio: Alan Sansovich spent nine years in the Marine Corps as a Reconnaissance Marine.  Following his time in the service, he joined IPT Global, a technology start-up, in the Oil and Gas Industry.  Since 2012, he has worked in operations, sales, and business development, and currently serves as Director of Operations and Strategy.  He sits on the Board of Directors for Houston Veterans in Business, and serves on the Advisory Board for NextOp.  Alan earned an MBA from Tulane University, and holds a BA in International Studies from the University of South Alabama.

Event #4 Description/Presentation: Veteran Transition to Oil and Gas

Transitioning from military service to civilian employment can be quite difficult.  Articulating the relevance and transferability of skills honed during military service is not easy.  As a result, veterans have a higher rate of unemployment than civilians do.  There is however, a robust network of non-profits that help place veterans into Oil and Gas jobs.  More specifically, Houston, Texas has some of the best veteran resources in the country.  The goal of this presentation is to discuss some of the challenges in veteran transition, and to introduce some key veteran support organizations in the Houston area.