KEVIN CASTILLEQ: Describe a memory from your first years at Champion?
A: One memory that stands out to me comes from my first few weeks at Champion. I was assigned to my first project and was very nervous. I was introduced to several of our engineers that would be working on the project with me. Everyone was very friendly and went out of their way to help me learn the ropes. I quickly knew that I made the right choice to work for Champion.
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: One of the most interesting projects I’ve been involved with was the Freeport-McMoRan (now Anadarko) HMI and PLC upgrade on their Marlin platform. It was very interesting to me because
Anadarko Marlin Offshore Platform
I had never been on an offshore platform before, and it was exciting because we all knew it was a great opportunity for additional projects. Also, the helicopter underwater egress training had a cool factor. They put you in a simulator that resembles the inside of a helicopter, dunk you underwater in a large swimming pool, flip you upside down, and you have to escape. It was really fun! Since the Marlin projects Champion has continued to develop a relationship with Anadarko, and they have come back to us for many projects.
Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?
A: I have many great work-related memories. One of them that comes to mind, is when 3 of us responded to a late night service call to rebuild an HMI server that had failed. We worked into the early AM hours. We all would rather have been in bed sleeping, but we worked together as a team and came up with a great plan of action. When we finally had their system up and running, I remember us all high fiving. We were proud of the work we had done.
Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company/individual) and why?
A: My favorite customer has been Phillips 66 in the Sulphur area. I’ve really enjoyed working with these guys. Many of them exhibit the same qualities that we have here at Champion. Any time I get assigned to project work there, I know It will be a good experience.
Q: When were you proudest to be part of the Champion team?
A: As an office we gathered to pray one day. Everyone in the office chose to participate. People of different beliefs and different religions gathered in one room all with a common goal of asking for help for one of our own who was going through a difficult time. This was very heartwarming and is a perfect example of why I love this company and why I’m proud to be a Champion.
Q: What company/office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?
A: One recent event stood out to me that I really enjoyed was our recent Lake Charles office camping trip at the Coushatta tribe ranch. It was lots of fun and I enjoyed getting to meet the families of my coworkers. I also must say the annual Christmas Party is always amazing!
Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?
A: I feel the number one improvement in my 5 years, has been our methodology for providing engineering excellence. I’ve seen much improvement in the tools, structure, and standards that we use provide a great product to our customers.
Q: How are the dynamics at Champion different than when you first started? How are they the same?
A: Plenty has changed since I started 5 years ago, Our methodology, standards, and company structure just to name a few. I believe all have become better. Two things that haven’t changed and I would love to see stay the same are the quality of people working for Champion and the atmosphere they create. We spend a large portion of our daily lives working. It makes that time much more enjoyable when you love the people you work with!
Q: What would you like to be working on here at Champion in the future?
A: This is a tough one. I’ll just say that right now I hope that I’ll be working for Champion in any capacity. Champion is one of the best companies I’ve come across. I hope to continue to gain experience across many technologies and plant processes and grow into whatever opportunities come my way.
Q: What is something you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: One thing that I’d like to see Champion do, we’re actually currently working on. I’m excited to see the direction the company will take with IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). IIoT promises to revolutionize many industries and will incorporate many cutting edge technologies. I was excited to see that Champion started a committee for IIoT.
Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: My favorite lunch routine is when a large portion of the office gets together to go have lunch as a group. It’s really fun to have non work related conversation with everyone and get to know them better.
NITIN GUPTAQ: What company/office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?
A: We used to go play volleyball at Mango’s after work hour once in a week for about a month or two. It was a lot of fun and also good exercise.
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: I would like to reflect on my first project with Motiva, Convent which is now Shell, Convent. I was both technical lead and project manager on this project. The project started in October 2012 and went through June 2014 and had revenue around $1.8M. The challenging part of this project was to replace a Honeywell legacy system (CLM) and Bristol Babcock PLC by upgrading both to a Honeywell Experion System. This project experience enabled me so much technically and from a project management end too. It’s so nice to see that Shell, Convent is expanding the upgraded infrastructure we installed as part of this project to various units of the plant.
Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company/individual) and why?
A: Shell, Convent and Anadarko which used to be FMI. We mainly work on Anadarko’s three offshore platforms (Marlin, Holstein and Horn Mountain). Our points of contact for both Shell and Anadarko trust our team and treat us as their extended part of their automation group.
Q: When were you proudest to be part of the Champion team?
A: Whenever I present our capabilities to our potential clients about our successfully executed projects on Honeywell, Emerson and Rockwell systems on projects ranging from small to big.
Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?
A: The #1 improvement is that we follow the project processes and project documentation (FRS, FAT, SAT procedures etc.) during the project lifecycle.
Q: What is something you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: Develop process control software products, provide turnkey solutions like MAC, execute $5M+ projects/programs.
Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: My favorite lunch routine is enjoying lunch prepared by my wife, be it eating at home or as bagged lunch at the office.
MATT BRUNETQ: Describe a memory from your first years at Champion?
A: Very early on, Joe Driver white boarded a Modbus RTU message from his head. I went home that evening and started studying because I didn’t want to be exposed by how far behind I was!
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: My favorite projects as an engineer were the Motiva Tank Farm Modernization and Westlake Chlor-Alkali Expansion. Both were early in my automation career and were tremendous growth opportunities that confirmed I made the right choice coming to work here. As a PM, I’m really proud when we follow the project execution methodology and it pays off by identifying issues through our quality plan, being more efficient, and delivering at the level our customers expect.
Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?
A: Pat Tharp changing Ed Bentin’s tire in the parking lot at Westlake.
Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company/individual) and why?
A: My favorite customer to work with has been Motiva. Everything from the graphics standards to the way they develop and project scope is done with purpose and the results are apparent.
Q: When were you proudest to be part of the Champion team?
A: This team is very supportive of individuals or offices that experience personal tragedy or disaster. That’s a good thing.
Q: What company/office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?
A: BBQ Rib Cook-off at Lee Daigle’s shop was 100% the most fun office event I’ve ever been part of. The fantasy football draft isn’t sponsored by Champion, but it is my next favorite even with all Champion employees.
Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?
A: The attitude was more laid back 5 years ago, and our success was more of a product of having really good engineers figure everything out on their own. Now we have better processes in place to identify risks or problems and address them, so our success is a combination of good engineers working in a better organized system. Things are the same because lunch is still at 11 CST, as is tradition.
Q: What would you like to be working on here at Champion in the future?
A: I’ve always had an interest in cybersecurity and networking. I’d love to see us grow our capabilities even more in that area.
Q: What is something you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: Further refine our cybersecurity and networking expertise to offer more services as a standalone product to our customers.
Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: My wife’s work schedule gives her every other Friday off. My favorite lunch routine is when she brings my almost 2-year-old son along and we have lunch together on a Friday.
MICHAEL SHELLEYQ: What is your favorite lunch routine?
A: I try to take a break from work at some time during the day, so I usually go out and take a book with me. It helps me reset for the afternoon. One thing I like about going to different jobsites is finding the local hole-in-the-wall restaurants instead of eating at the big national chains. I probably haven’t set foot in a McDonald’s in twenty years.
Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?
A: The 3M SOSHO project was interesting and challenging. The project was on a tight schedule, had an unusual process, and needed lots of sequential batch logic. I’d done similar logic configuration but not on this scale. The physical plant was small when compared to the giant refinery and petrochemical sites that I’m more used to, which saved lots of wear and tear on my feet. I also enjoyed working with the Baton Rouge Personnel, both in the office and at the site.
Q: What would you like to be working on here at Champion in the future?
A: I’m curious about cybersecurity for industrial controls, even though I don’t know very much about it. I suspect that not all of our customers have put much thought into it. I’m also interested in project engineering procedures, which sounds really abstract, but I find that defining all the steps and activities helps me stay on track. I try not to be too picky, so I’ll work on most anything.
Q: What is something that you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?
A: I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think that there will be more opportunities in upgrading infrastructure both for public and private customers. Things like water treatment plants, communication networks, and power plants are all getting older and will need to be upgraded or replaced. For all I know, it may turn out to be solar panel farms in people’s backyards. I keep expecting to see one of the major oil companies move into alternative energy in a big way as a hedge against oil and gas prices, but it hasn’t happened yet. (I also know nothing about business, so don’t pick your 401(k) stocks based on anything I say.)
Q: Why did you decided to join Champion?
A: I was really impressed by the person-oriented environment. My previous employers were all large companies, and while there are some advantages to working there, at the end of the day you’re just tiny part of a huge machine with very little effect on what happens. I was excited to be part of setting up a new office location and felt I could actually make a difference here.
