LES COKER
Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: Eating Shepard’s Pie at Swanny’s. Yummy!
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: Natgasoline to P66 Wireless Link
The project was for “Telemetered Data to DCS – Pipeline Pressure and Tank Levels”.
Two licensed 900 MHz hops from Natgasoline to P66 (OCI was a repeater in the middle).
The OCI repeater had two directional (Yagi) antennas mounted at 190′ underneath the man walk on a 200′ Ammonia column.
A special mount was made to mount on the bracing underneath the man walk.
Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company / individual) and why?
A: CenterPoint Energy, because they have been 95% of our telecom revenue for the past 10 years.
Q: What company / office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?
A: Christmas party in Park City, UT.
Q: What would like to be working on here at Champion in the future?
A: A project using a Drone with high quality video and still shots.
Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?
A: The time Gary and I went to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and almost got arrested for wearing a cross. Gary and I had our photo taken together at the top floor of the Markaz al-Mamlakah (“Kingdom Centre”).
Gary and I at the Markaz al-Mamlakah (“Kingdom Centre”)
Q: When were you proudest to be a part of the Champion team?
A: When we completed the Equatorial Guinea Offshore MW Network Replacement where we installed 4 MW hops between 5 oil well platforms off the coast of Equatorial Guinea. One of the oil well platforms filled up (moved up and down by several feet) in 30 days so we had to catch it at 15 days (mid-span) for path alignment.
Q: What is something that you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: Partner with SPACEX or NASA to support a space project.
Q: Describe a memory from your first years at Champion?
A: The first Houston office was at the Tomball Jet Center which is located at Hooks Airport. We had access to a 35,000 sf hanger where we could stage any size project we needed.
Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?
A: I think hiring Ken Hackler as VP of Operations to help create more structure (implement processes and procedures) which is helping Champion position itself for future growth.
Q: How are the dynamics at Champion different than when you first started? How are they the same?
A: Champion has restructured itself to be able to grow. Champion is still family!
Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: It’s not much of a routine but, I really enjoy it when everyone in our office eats together. I believe knowing each other’s personal interests makes for better teamwork.
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: Reflecting back on day one, I’d say the most exciting project has been the challenge of learning our process of meeting all safety requirements then figuring out a way to streamline every aspect of our safety program. I’ve always had a knack for figuring out ways to use the latest technology to help people comply with safety expectations while making my job easier. I couldn’t really apply all my ideas the way I would’ve liked to in the Maritime Oil & Gas industry. So, I’m grateful to have this opportunity and excited to see that I’m making a difference.
Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company/individual) and why?
A: I am enjoying interacting with the safety personnel at SHELL. I was the safety/company liaison for a SHELL contract for years at my previous employer. So, I’m very comfortable with SHELL’S safety culture and expectations.
Q: What company/office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?
A: I really enjoyed meeting everyone at the Christmas party. I like meeting new people when they’re with their family, because you’re able to relate on a more personal level.
Q: What would you like to be working on here at Champion in the future?
A: Honestly, I’d like to continue to improve upon exactly what I’ve been doing.
Q: What is your favorite work-related memory?
A: My favorite memory was the happy laugh I heard when I told Kelli that our safety quizzes would be automatically graded. 🙂
Q: When were you proudest to be a part of the Champion team?
A: My family and I volunteer and donate as much as we can to different charities. So, when I learned about all of the different charities Champion donates to, it made me proud to be part of this team.
Q: What is something that you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: It’s too early for me to have a specific idea in mind, but I would definitely like to see Champion continue on the growth path we’re on.
Q: Why did you decide to join Champion?
A: Champion is a relatively young company with some big name clients. I figured the team at Champion has to be doing something right.
Q: Describe a memory from your first year at Champion.
A: I’ll never forget that I felt completely at ease during my interviews with Gary, Ken and Laurie. I haven’t worked for many companies, but I don’t ever recall feeling at home in an interview as I did with Champion.
Q: Who has been most influential on your role (mentor), and how/why?
A: Ken’s mentorship is the most influential on my role with Champion. I’m very appreciative of his advice, and the respect and confidence he’s shown to me from day one. That puts me at ease and helped me settle into my role.
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