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Energy Workforce & Technology Council 90th Anniversary
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High-Performer Spotlight: Jesus Terrones, Weatherford

Jesus Terrones, Senior Director Supply Chain Development, Weatherford, is a member of the Emerging Executives Committee. He recently shared his insights on the energy services and technology sector.

ENERGY WORKFORCE: What is your role with the company? What does a typical day look like?

Jesus Terrones
Jesus Terrones

Jesus Terrones: My role is two-fold:

  • To transfer processes, technology and capability from Weatherford facilities to more strategic locations.
  • To identify and develop strategic suppliers in order to outsource manufacturing in accordance with our overall Weatherford Fulfilment Strategy

EW: Why did you join the energy industry? Was there an individual who influenced your decision?

JT: After seven-and-a-half years in U.S. Army Aviation, I transitioned to the corporate world via business school. During the recruiting season, I met the leadership of Cameron International. With no plans to join any particular industry, I noticed the Cameron leaders were the more engaging and authentic people I met during the recruiting process. Additionally, they understood and valued the investment my family and I made in our two full-time years at business school, and they were further willing to invest in my development within their organization. Plus, I grew up in inner-city Houston, and I was eager to get back home. There were other offers from other industries on the table, but Cameron topped the list.

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?

JT: It’s tough to just say one name because I believe God has placed many “angels” in my path. Many of them I consider my heroes, and my story is a testament to them. These mentors have always expressed a genuine interest in my growth and always made time for discussions with me about work, family, life or pretty much anything that was on my mind. I never once had to ask anyone to mentor me; the relationships just naturally developed into one of mentorship, fellowship and friendship. Of course, I try hard not to abuse the privilege, but I know all I have to do is send an email or a text, and I can get time on the phone or in person.

EW: What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?

JT: I always saw myself as a career military officer, so I never quite put much thought into the oil and gas industry or any other industry outside of the U.S. Army. However, after joining, I quickly learned that our industry has some of the best and most diverse talent from many parts of the world. Thanks to our industry, my family and I have seen many parts of the world as I have lead teams out of Muscat, Oman and Singapore. I now believe that without this global talent pool and this industry, several other industries would not have been able to make the progress or technological developments from which they and the people of the world benefit today.

EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?

JT: I believe that the cyclical nature of our business sometimes leads our industry to bleed key talent that can set us back a few years. I see that different companies have made different levels of progress there, but we still have some work to do to retain our talent.

EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?

JT: Over the next five years, I look forward to seeing our industry incorporate more automation and remote operations. I would want to see fewer manual processes now that we have RFID, QR Codes, AI and robotics. Most importantly, I hope our industry is able to better attract young talent to keep us improving as a community and global servants.

EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future? 

JT: An active one! Many of my mentors have left our industry, and I feel I owe it to them to step into executive leadership roles where I can have an impact on the culture and results of my company and industry. It is something I take seriously, as I represent the legacy of those before me, especially those that took the time to mentor me and invest time and energy into my development.

EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?

JT: There are too many to mention. There are several leaders, especially from my Cameron International days, that contributed to my development both personally and professionally.

EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?

JT: By chance, I landed on the wellhead and gate valve side of the Cameron business. Therefore, I consider myself a surface guy. Any technology (surface or downhole) that can reduce installation time, touch points and safety/quality.

EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the oil and gas industry?

JT: Come hungry, motivated and disciplined to grow. Network and focus on building authentic relationships. Do not burn bridges. Believe it or not, it is a small industry and there is always a chance paths will cross again whether in a different role, a different company or a different part of the world.

EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?

JT: I wish people knew the things that we do not showcase often:

  1. How we contribute and invest in the countries where we work through local content / in-country value agreements
  2. The HSSE precautions we apply to everything we do
  3. The ongoing transformations in companies throughout our industry
  4. The diversity and inclusion throughout our industry
  5. That this is a people business, and we have some of the best in the world
  6. And so much more

EW: What do you do for fun?

JT: Faith and family mean everything to me. For fun, I enjoy my weekly Friday date nights with my wife. Even after 22 years, it never gets old. I also enjoy helping my two teenage sons and nine-year-old daughter develop in academics, leadership, physical fitness and spiritually. Anything that involves faith and family is at the top of the list.

EW: What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?

JT: While my wife and kids cannot wait to jump on the next plane for vacation, my idea of a perfect vacation is staying at home where I can enjoy the benefits of all investments that we have made in our house. I enjoy starting my day drinking coffee out of my favorite mug exactly how I like it, grilling fajitas in the backyard and enjoying the restaurants, stores and movie theaters in our surrounding area. Work has led me to spend so much time away from home and family that I just enjoy being at home a little more each day.

EW: What’s a fun fact that people would never guess about you?

JT: I used to fly AH-64A Apache attack helicopters in the U.S. Army.


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