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PESA High Performer Spotlight: Joe Murphy, VP Sales, Forged Products

Joe Murphy, Forged Products

Joe Murphy, VP Sales, Forged Products

What influenced your decision to enter the oil and gas industry?
I started my career in aviation electronics in the Marines but was unable to find a related job when I left the service in 2003. My father worked in oil and gas and helped me get my foot in the door as an NDE technician. That position led to an interview at Forged Products where I’ve been ever since. My grandfather was also a metal worker so you could say the industry is in my blood.

What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
I would have never realized how scientific this industry truly is. Through every stage of the process, the amount of detail involved in the chemistry of the steel and the method of forging and heat treatment is astonishing. It’s a blend of grit and innovation that improves daily.

What have you found to be the most surprising about the industry? 
The oil and gas industry is about so much more than just the gas that goes into your car, it is also in millions of other products people use every day. The negative connotation from people outside of the industry is also surprising because there is a lack of understanding and misinformation.

What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the industry or your work?
The influence of an incredibly cyclical market is difficult. When it’s good, it is really good but when it is bad it is a tremendous struggle. However, the determined people who stick it through take a great deal of pride in their role to provide the world with energy.

Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next 5 years?
In spite of the depressed market, we see true ingenuity in our industry by cutting costs and increasing production, safety and efficiency, more so than ever before. I hope this drive continues so we can achieve domestic energy independence in the near future.

What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future? 
I’d like to be part of the voice that helps teach the real story of the people behind the oil and gas industry. In spite of the criticism and regulation, our industry is not self-serving. We are men and women with families and goals all working hard to ensure the people of the world are supplied with energy in a safe and effective way.

How has your involvement in PESA supported your career goals? 
My exposure to industry leaders and their stories has shown me the kind of leader that I want to be. I have had the opportunity to meet some great people, hear their stories and gain a better understanding of our industry which allows me to better serve my customers.

Tell us about some of the people you’ve met while working in the industry and how they’ve impacted your thinking.
The opportunity to meet industry leaders such as Saeid Rahimian, Galen Cobb, Chris Cragg, and Jeff Boettiger has been inspirational to my career. Hearing their stories and seeing how they have carved through their professional careers provides direction in a sometimes-chaotic industry. The underlying theme seems to be that success follows those who are willing to take chances, lead with a servant heart and do what you can to help those around you succeed.

What are you most excited about for your career, your company and your industry? 
Forged Products is in the early stages of supply chain but has tremendous potential to positively impact the industry. By partnering with groups like PESA, I want to improve our industry both internally and externally. I look forward to making my mark in the industry and hope to be one of few to truly stand out and make a difference.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about entering the oil and gas industry?
Take advantage of the good times to save and prepare for the future because it is a cyclical industry. The challenging times are when the industry pushes forward and the world reaps the benefits of our innovation. Although the road can be tough, it is very rewarding.

What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
The impact of the market is so much more than the oil in your car and the gas in your heater. Take the time to understand the benefits of the industry and our exceeding commitment to safety. We are not evil and we are not against nature. We are families trying to make a difference in our lives, and yours, in an industry responsible for driving the world’s energy.

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