Remy Hallam, IPO Readiness Leader, HMH, is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program. She recently shared her insights on the energy services and technology sector.
ENERGY WORKFORCE: What is your role with the company? What does a typical day look like?
Remy Hallam: My role is to manage the activities necessary for our company to go public next year. My core responsibilities include working with the different departments such as finance, legal, IT, HR and ESG to understand the current gaps in our company’s process and policies, develop the necessary documents and implement any changes that need to be in place before we go public.
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?
RH: After my undergrad, I started in the power side of the energy industry. I had interned with Delta Air Lines and loved everything associated with aviation. When I graduated from college, Boeing and the aviation industry were not doing so well. However, similar aircraft engine technology was used in the energy industry with gas turbines and compressors, so I started my journey there.
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?
RH: There have been many great individuals who have helped me in my career. I have been very fortunate that I have had great managers and each one of them has helped me in their own unique way. There is one common thread that they all have: They provide encouragement and have faith and trust in my abilities. When assigning a task, project or vision, they leave me to figure it out, but have always been available if I had questions or needed to overcome a challenge. It takes a lot for a boss to take that risk, even when they may know a better or faster way of doing something.
EW: What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
RH: My first impression of the oil and gas industry was that it only involved the big oil companies; however, I have since learned there are many more aspects to the industry and many companies that support it.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
RH: Coming from the power industry, I was used to the lack of diversity, and I was most surprised the oil and gas industry is actually more diverse. We still have a long way to go, but it was certainly very encouraging when I started on the oil and gas side.
EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
RH: I hope to see the industry create a better story and better communicate how we convey to subsequent generations the way we will all meet our energy needs. I feel both sides of the table are not listening to each other and as unfair as it may seem, it is our responsibility to listen first to get to an understanding.
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
RH: Integrating advanced technology to make the process of delivering energy more efficient.
EW: How has your involvement in Energy Workforce supported your career goals?
RH: Working with my amazing mentor and coach in the Executive Leadership Program, they opened my eyes to working in other areas and showed me how my skills can be applied to many other departments. I really owe them a lot for giving me direction of who in my organization I should speak to and what questions should be asked.
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
RH: As described above, Etienne Roux, Weatherford, my mentor, and Robert Peterson, my coach, have really impacted my thinking. Both have challenged me, given me very important tasks, and made me realize that you don’t always have to agree on everything with a person whom you respect. Also, it is important to have the confidence to be happy with your decisions.
EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?
RH: I have two. One from my company, which is our new Sentry 13” Ram Blow Out Preventer used predominantly in the land market. I was involved in the initial development of this product when I was in Product Management. We were looking for a way to provide a more affordable ram BOP for the land market but have the robustness of a subsea ram BOP. This impressed me because we started with almost a clean sheet of paper to address another market, as opposed to trying to force an existing product that wasn’t going to work.
Another product that I saw at OTC one year before COVID was the aircraft engine in a box, using flaring gas for fuel from fracking locations to provide the electricity needs at the site. This impressed me because of the simplicity and how many needs were being met: environmentally, logistically and economically.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the oil and gas industry?
RH: Ask questions, be humble, network and get involved in as many different departments as you can. On the last point, it is not necessary to actually work in a department but be a part of a project that a department is running, or an initiative where they need volunteers. Getting to know people and how their department works is half the journey.
EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
RH: Oil and gas is so much more than what is portrayed on the news and social media. Innovations and advancements in the oil and gas sector help many other industries and the basic everyday needs of most individuals.
EW: What do you do for fun?
RH: My spouse and I ride horses. We compete in jumping competitions, as well as take leisurely trail rides. It is amazing the life lessons that you gain from riding and taking care of horses. The harshest of course is getting thrown off at a jump and having to get back on right away and do it again. Some may think this is crazy, but it definitely instills bravery and determination.
EW: What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
RH: A horseback safari. There is nothing more amazing than looking at wild animals in their element. Typically, when you are on horseback, wild animals do not fear you and run away because you just look like another animal and not a predator to them.
EW: What’s a fun fact that people would never guess about you?
RH: I like karaoke, but I can’t carry a tune to save my life.
EW: We look forward to singing off-key with you soon.
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