Morgan Gilmore-Hawkey
Sales Manager, FairfieldNodal
(Photography by Shawn Millsaps)
What influenced your decision to enter the oil and gas industry?
Most of my life I lived in St. Louis and had never considered the energy sector as a career choice. After visiting Houston multiple times in 2011, I was drawn to the opportunity and change the city had to offer. During my visits, I met many bright, young professionals with intriguing careers, mainly in the energy sector and wanted to be a part of it.
What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
My ill-informed impression of the oil and gas industry was a narrow window of characters presented in the media as less than elegant operations and oil barons. The technology and skill involved in discovering, producing, and manufacturing oil and gas products has far exceeded my imagination. I also know now that our industry is full of brilliant and compassionate people.
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the industry or your work?
Despite the downturn, I am impressed with our organization’s ability to compete. There is an ever-increasing amount of competition in the Permian Basin, and our success in growing a multi-client seismic database has been immensely rewarding.
Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next 5 years?
In general, I believe the Oil and Gas Industry has the opportunity, talent pool and resources to contribute to the development of alternative energy sources, in conjunction with our current agendas.
What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
I hope to be more involved in company and industry relations. People make the industry tick, and I never want to lose step with customers, investors, and organizations involved in the energy industry’s success.
How has your involvement in PESA supported your career goals?
PESA and the Emerging Leaders Committee provides a wonderful opportunity to network with my peers and industry leaders. Each person has a unique role and experience different than the next and it has reshaped the way I view our industry and my role.
Tell us about some of the people you’ve met while working in the industry and how they’ve impacted your thinking?
It was an exciting time to enter the industry in 2012. I learned quite a bit from my current mentor and past mentors. I also see a new wave of millennials challenging the culture of the industry. The world is changing around us, and as a technology driven industry, it is important for us to adapt and welcome new generations and ideas.
What are you most excited about for your career, your company and your industry?
Opportunity. Complacency is deadly, I’m excited for my career, organization and industry to push the boundaries and create more value.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about entering the oil and gas industry?
This is a lifelong opportunity. Work hard and find a role that gives you daily satisfaction.
