Craig Conner, Sr Manager of HR Shared Services & HRIS, Mattr, is a graduate of the Energy Workforce Executive Leadership Program. He recently shared his insights on the energy services and technology sector.
Energy Workforce: What is your role with the company? What are your core responsibilities? What does a typical day look like?
CC: I serve as Senior Manager of HR Shared Services and HRIS, supporting HR operations including payroll, benefits, and our HR technology ecosystem. My role sits at the intersection of people, process, and systems—making sure our HR services run smoothly while continuously improving how we deliver them. A typical day includes a mix of problem-solving, partnering with stakeholders, leading projects, and helping teams remove roadblocks. No two days look the same, which keeps things interesting.
EW: Why did you join the energy industry? Was there an individual who influenced your decision? Was there an event or piece of technology that got you excited?
CC: I landed in the industry almost by accident. The company I worked for at the time was a high-tech manufacturer of custom filtration and separation systems. They were expanding from the medical to oil and gas industries. I ended up expanding with them, one might say. Over time, I’ve also come to appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit of the people in the industry—practical, driven, and focused on getting things done.
EW: What individual has been most instrumental in helping with your career? What did their mentorship look like, and how did it guide your path?
CC: There are many people who have had a positive influence on my professional life, but I must acknowledge the HR leader I worked with when I first joined my current company. We only worked together for a short time, but she had confidence in me and pushed me to try things I would never have considered myself qualified for. She saw a skill set that I had not yet realized and opened the door and, in some ways, pushed me right through it. I still look back on those days with appreciation. Her mentorship was rooted in trust, encouragement, and high expectations.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
CC: I’ve been most surprised by how collaborative and innovative the industry is. For such a large and complex space, people are surprisingly open to sharing ideas, learning from one another, and embracing new technologies to improve how work gets done.
I hope to see the industry continue to invest in both people and technology—building strong talent pipelines, modernizing systems, enhancing safety, and using data to make smarter decisions —all while preserving the reliability the industry is known for.
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
CC: I see my role as bridging people, process, and technology—building systems that scale with the business while making work simpler, more consistent, and better for the people behind it.
EW: How has your involvement in Energy Workforce supported your career goals?
CC: Energy Workforce has expanded my network and deepened my understanding of workforce challenges, but what resonates most is the reminder that what got you here won’t get you there. It has reinforced the importance of regularly reassessing how we work and staying committed to change and continuous learning.
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
CC: I’ve met several people through Energy Workforce events whose perspectives on leadership, culture, and talent development have influenced how I approach my own work. One class participant shared a personal example that clearly illustrated the importance of not just communicating the goal, but also the why behind it—and that story has stayed with me. Experiences like that seem to happen at every meeting, with meaningful takeaways coming from the interactions within the EWTC.
I also worked with an individual who was very influential during a time of significant change. He once said, “If a process or procedure doesn’t make sense, don’t assume the people who created it are wrong—these are smart people, and there’s likely a constraint or a reason we’re just not seeing yet.” That perspective reshaped how I approach problem-solving and change management and demonstrates the importance of extending the benefit of the doubt and staying curious.
Overall, these experiences have reinforced the value of learning from others, staying open-minded, and continually challenging how we think and work.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the energy industry?
CC: Be curious, take initiative, and don’t be afraid to stretch yourself. Build relationships, learn the business, and look for ways to add value—those habits pay off. Don’t just focus on completing what you’re asked to do; take time to understand why you’re doing it and what the business truly needs. Sometimes a request is a solution looking for a problem. Take the time to understand what problem people are trying to solve. Asking the right questions early can lead to better outcomes.
EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
CC: It’s a highly technical, innovative, and people-driven industry with a strong sense of responsibility to keep the world moving. It’s filled with people and culture that are willing to take on big challenges while looking out for those on their right and left.
EW: What do you do for fun, or what’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
CC: Spending time on the Texas coast—usually in Rockport—with friends and family is my go-to. My wife and I also love hosting, whether it’s a holiday dinner or creating a five-star Airbnb experience. We enjoy paying it forward by serving others, helping create meaningful moments and memories.
EW: What’s a fun fact people would never guess about you?
CC: Fun Fact: Some time ago, I was visiting my sister who was studying in Paris, France. On our tour of Notre-Dame’s north tower, we slipped into the bell tower through a small door after a tour group exited. Naturally, they lock the door prior to noon (the ringing of the bells). Not knowing we were in the bell tower, the tour guide secured the door behind the departing tour group just before the bells began to ring. My sister and I were locked in the bell tower at high noon! Being next to the bells while they started to ring their 12 o’clock chime was a pretty intense experience, but it turned into an unforgettable experience, a fantastic memory, and a story we’ll never forget.
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