Tyler Voth, Vice President of Sales, A&W Energy, 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?
Tyler Voth: My main responsibilities revolve around our customers. Maintaining relationships and staying in tuned with the ever-changing landscape of their business. It is my job to work with our sales and operations teams to make sure we are planning our business according to the needs of our customers, ensuring that we have product and service support when needed.
EW: Why did you join the oil and gas industry? Was there an individual who influenced your decision? Was there an event or piece of technology that got you excited?
TV: Growing up with my dad in the natural gas transmission business, I thought I wanted a career in anything but energy. We relocated a lot, and his days were long. When I moved from Kentucky to Texas after college, I quickly saw the importance of the oil and gas industry, and the many aspects of the industry. Most importantly, the people I met working in oil and gas had a sense of pride and excitement about their work that you don’t see in many industries.
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?
TV: Michie White is one of the founders of A&W Energy, and I’m lucky enough to work with him every day. He has spent his life around oil and gas, and has worked all over the world. With his experience he carries a wealth of knowledge I can tap into no matter the situation. He has showed me the true importance of turning customers into partners. Most importantly Michie and the other leaders of A&W lead by example when it come to stewardship. Luke 12:48 says “To whom much is given, much will be required” and using our time, talents and treasure to help others is something that is very important to Michie.
EW: What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
TV: I had a very simplified view of getting oil out of the ground and turning it in to a useable product. The number of companies, products and processes it takes to go from a new well pad to the downstream market is incredible.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
TV: After 14 years in the industry, I’ve gone from being surprised by everything to just having to be ready for anything. The most recent thing I would say I was surprised by was the rebound of our industry coming out of the pandemic. Even with constraints on material and personnel, the number of rigs that came back online in a short amount of time was great to see.
EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
TV: I would like to see the industry improve its messaging. The assault on what we do and how we do it is relentless. We need to do a better job of communicating the vital nature of our industry so that people understand the value we provide.
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
TV: Hopefully, I can represent our industry well and motivate and mentor young people to get involved in what we do. This is a great industry, and we need to bring more people along for the ride!
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
TV: Chuck Allen, one of our founders, has taught me to look at the sales process differently. He encourages me to concentrate on much more than top line sales numbers. He challenges us to analyze our customers, value profit and build relationships up and down our customers org chart. He demands attention to detail throughout the process.
EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?
TV: The rapid development of frac technology has been amazing. From single-well jobs, to multi-well pads, to zipper and simulfrac operations has changed our whole idea of what is possible.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the oil and gas industry?
TV: Hang on! It’s a wild up and down ride, but I have loved every bit of it. Always remember that the network of people is small. If you go about your business with integrity, being fair and honest with yourself, coworkers and customers, you can have a career in oil and gas for a long time. Bad reputations can come about quickly, and they are hard to overcome.
EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
TV: I wish people realized how oil and gas truly affects their everyday lives. A lot of people are quick to point out downsides to oil and gas production without knowing the consequences of not having it. When you sit back and look, nearly every product we have in our house would not be there without it.
EW: What do you do for fun?
TV: I love golf and play as much as I can, but with my travel schedule most of my time at home is spent with my wife and kids. I really enjoy getting to coach and support them in athletics.
EW: What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
TV: May not be realistic but perfect would be three weeks. First week with just the wife somewhere like Napa Valley, relaxing with great food and great wine. Second week with wife and kids at the beach, letting the little ones plan the days of activities they enjoy. Third week would be with just my buddies playing golf and having a good time.
EW: What’s a fun fact that people would never guess about you?
TV: I took my son to see Tiger Woods play for the first time at the PGA Championship this year, and Tiger gave him a glove and a ball walking off the putting green.
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