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As the end of the year approaches, Crosby Energy is gearing up to celebrate a remarkable milestone – Laura Sierra’s 10th anniversary with the company on December 30. A dedicated Billing Specialist, Laura has weathered the highs and lows of the oilfield roller coaster, and her journey is marked by camaraderie, growth, and cherished memories.

Reflecting on the First Day: A Surprising Start

Taking a stroll down memory lane, Laura fondly recalls her first day at Crosby Energy. The surprise on Ouida’s face, her new roommate and colleague, is etched in her memory. Little did they know that their professional journey would blossom into a long partnership, evolving into a bond that transcends the workplace.

Evolution of the Team Dynamic

In the early days, Laura shared office space with a handful of colleagues. Over the years, the team dynamic has evolved, and what started as a professional association has transformed into a familial connection. Laura expresses gratitude for the enduring friendship and family-like atmosphere that has developed within the Crosby Energy team.

A Decade of Professional Growth

Initially hired as a Billing Specialist to support the Shell account, Laura’s role has remained true to its roots. Despite changes in companies and billing programs, her dedication to the role has been unwavering. Surviving the challenges of the oilfield industry, Laura considers her ability to navigate the industry’s ups and downs as her most significant achievement.

Cherished Moments and Daily Devotions

What Laura cherishes the most about her decade at Crosby Energy is the opportunity to forge friendships with incredible people. Daily devotion time with the team stands out as a cherished ritual, emphasizing the importance of connection beyond professional duties.

Life Beyond the Office: Family and Hobbies

Beyond her professional life, Laura is a family-oriented individual. She enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons. Blessed with the presence of her parents, Friday night card games have become a cherished tradition. Laura’s interests include cooking, reading, volunteering, and engaging with her church family.

As Crosby Energy raises a toast to Laura’s decade of dedication, her journey serves as a testament to the values of resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring spirit that defines the company.

This Month, Rick Koch is celebrating 10 years with Crosby Energy Services.

“Rick is a tremendous asset and integral part of the Crosby family. From his time leading the HSE department to his new role as VP of Operations, Rick has and will continue to play a key role in our success at Crosby.” Stated Chris Brantley.

In this post, we asked Rick a few questions about his career…

Can you tell me a few things about you and your family?
Was born and raised in Pa and moved to LA several years ago. My wife is a retired teacher and I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. We love to spend time together, especially around the holidays.

What are your hobbies?
 Reading books and working out.

How did you get started in this business?
My dad worked for a company in the oil and gas business so he got me a roustabout job on drilling platform.

What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was transitioning from the operator side to the labor side.

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help and know when to delegate to other team members.

What is your best work memory?
It’s hard for me to one specific memory, all of my favorites have my co-workers as a common thread so my favorite memory is more like a favorite life asset.

What do you like best about working here?
I love having a voice. My boss listens to my ideas and the whole team works together to make them happen. We all support each other and work together to offer creative feedback and then make our ideas a reality.

What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from your co-workers?
One thing that has always stuck with me is from ownership; he always told me to be open with people, build trust with colleagues and be a good listener. If you make a promise, make sure to follow through, no matter how small.

What advice do you give someone starting out in this business?
 Keep an open mindset, focus on relationships and realize your not an expert on everything. Rely on your staff.

Can you describe your career in one word?
 Rewarding.

Crosby Energy Services Expands Management Team. Strategic Advisor to the Board, Vice President Operations, HSE Director, Operations Manager – Permian

Crosby Energy Services Strengthens Management Team

HOUMA, La., February 7, 2022—Crosby Energy Services, an industry leader in energy support services, today announced the following leadership appointments, effective immediately.

• Ed Thomas, General Manager West Region has been appointed Strategic Advisor to Board. Ed Thomas is an accomplished and respected industry veteran with over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Ed has held numerous roles in his 16 + years at Crosby, most recently as General Manager for Crosby Energy Services’ West Region.
  “Ed has far exceeded our expectations since the first day he came on board. His leadership, industry knowledge, and strong faith have helped us grow and provided a blueprint for moving forward. Ed’s new role as Strategic Advisor to the Board gives me confidence that we will continue to grow into the future.” said Chris Brantley, Executive Vice President/CFO.

• Rick Koch, HSE Director, has been appointed to Vice President of Operations. Bringing more than 30 years of oil and gas production experience, focusing on operational excellence and safety. Rick Koch brings a proven record of collaborating cross-functionally to implement, assess, and improve safety strategies and has led the company in the development of a strong safety program by creating a best-in-class safety culture.
  “Rick has a proven track record of effectively managing teams spread out across large regions, and I am confident that he will continue to exceed expectations in his new role as Vice President of Operations,” said Chris Brantley, Executive Vice President/CFO.

• Rick Alphonse, HSE Manager, has been appointed to HSE Director. Rick Alphonse brings more than 20 years of offshore production experience. Most recently, Rick has played an important role in the success of our safety programs.
  “Rick’s new role as HSE director will continue to lead us in a positive direction by maintaining our excellence in safety,” said Rick Koch, Vice President of Operations.

• Dee Thomas, Business Development Manager, has been appointed to Operations Manager – Permian. “Dee’s experience in the oil and gas industry, along with his past experience working for Crosby in other areas of the country, make him an excellent fit to continue and improve on our success in the Permian region.” said Rick Koch, Vice President of Operations.

“These new appointees are proven business leaders with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. Their experience will be key to helping us fulfill our mission to deliver the highest quality employees and finest support services to the oil and gas industry,” said Mike Crosby, CEO, Crosby Energy Services.

About Crosby Energy Services
Founded as C&D Wireline in 1968, Crosby Energy Services is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise National Council member (WBENC) that has established itself as an industry leader, providing exceptional service to oil and gas producing companies across the Gulf of Mexico and North America. We strive to hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of our business and remain vigilant toward safety, health, and the environment. For more information, visit www.crosbyenergy.com

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CONTACT:
Chris Brantley
Executive Vice President – Crosby Energy Services
Tel: 985 693 7322
cbrantlley@crosbenergy.com 

This June, Freddie is celebrating 20 years with Crosby Energy Services. “A committed employee and an extraordinary human being. That’s who Freddie is, and we are proud to have someone like Freddie in our workforce.”  Stated Mike Crosby.

In this post, we ask Freddie a few questions about his career…

Can you tell me a few things about you and your family? How many kids /grandkids, married – how many years,  etc.
5 kids all grown & gone, 3 grandkids, married 18 years to my high school sweetheart Gayle.

What are your hobbies?
Fishing when I can, watching any Alabama sports & them Who Dat if you know what I mean.

How did you get started in this business?
From my softball teammate at the time Rodney when he hired me to work for Mobil Oil 4/18/1983 worked for them for 16.5 years before they merged with Exxon.

Do you remember your first day at Crosby?
6/5/2001-contracting with SHELL.

How has your job changed over the years?
Was an operator on the Enchiladas/Salsa platforms for years & was asked to go to Galveston, Tx in the decommission field as a PIC [Person In Charge] Prepping platforms to be taking out the gulf for Shell, didn’t know they were going to take mine out, ha!

What has been your biggest challenge?
Dealing with the different cultures while overlooking 30 employees under me, but we got the job done you just have to let people talk & listen the best you can.

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
Just listen & don’t let people know you’re the boss, they know! and don’t be scare to use the phone to call for help.

What is your best work memory?
When I was working in the Salsa/ Enchiladas field I trained 4 young ladies 3 got hired, I still get a Christmas & New Year card from Janice from Canada that always put a smile on my face.

What do you like best about working here?
How people help others & how we get along here on the central sides.

What advice do you give someone starting out in this business?
Take notes, never feel like you’re alone, ask questions, and call for help.

Any additional comments?
I will be retiring in Dec of next year it’s time. I’ve been at this longer than I thought. Enjoyed it though, God is good all the time!

This January, Philip is celebrating 15 years with Crosby Energy Services. “Philip is a tremendous asset and we are thankful he is part of the Crosby family. He has always shown integrity, leadership, and professionalism in his role as HR Director,” stated Chris Brantley.

In this post, we ask Philip a few questions about his career…

Tell me about your family.
Married over 33 years to former Caroline Descant.  Have three daughters and five grandkids (3 boys and 2 girls)

What are your hobbies?
Love to follow college athletics.  Really enjoy fishing, and seeing new places that I have never seen when I get the chance.

How did you get started in this business?
I taught math and coached various sports in high school, primarily basketball. I actually coached Mike Crosby’s daughter’s AAU team, and it was shortly afterwards that Mike offered me a job to come to CES.

Do you remember your first day at Crosby?
Yes, I do and it was in the office in Cut Off, and I actually started in the safety department so it was a matter of getting acclimated at my desk feeling a bit out of my element from the classroom.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning the different aspects of providing contract labor to all the various clients we had, and then learning as much about the human resources aspect of business much via being self-taught and through seminars.

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
Research all you can and never stop learning and evolving.

What is your best work memory?
Looking back after 15 years it is hard to pinpoint a single memory.  Ideally, it is the vast number of people that I have worked with and have gotten to know.  Workwise, it would have to be the whole transitioning of well over 500 employees when we took on the Energy XXI contract.  Aesthetically, it would be the lovely parts of our wonderful country that I was able to see and visit branch offices for one reason or another, whether it was PA, WY, NM, CA or TX.

What do you like best about working here?
Again, it is the people I work with.  The Crosby’s have been so generous to me giving me a job when they had no reason to do so, and have been that way throughout.  Although I have seen a lot of staff change during my time here those that have been around for a good bit are those that understand that we must work cooperatively for the company to be successful. Those that do are what makes working here all the more special to work alongside.

What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from your co-workers?
Everyone has ideas and there is not always one way to do things, so talk it out and learn to collectively come to decisions when possible.

What advice do you give someone starting out in this business?
I would say in this business or any business ask questions as often and from as many sources as possible. One can never get enough knowledge or learn enough.  It may be only one simple thing you remember, but it may be the one thing that can help you later in work or perhaps in promotion.  Second thing is anyone can be a problem announcer, but to be a good employee try being a problem-solver instead.

Can you describe your career in one word?
Never been good at self-reflection but I would hope others would say hard-working.

Any additional comments?
I again cannot thank the Crosby family for giving me this opportunity and I hope that I have shown the trust and loyalty they had hoped for, or more, when I first started 15 years ago.

This Month Vincent Benoit is celebrating 15 years with Crosby Energy Services.  “I am grateful for the hard work, loyalty, and dedication Vince has shown for the past 15 years and we(Crosby) are glad to have him on our team,” stated Valerie Villion, Crosby Energy

How did you get started in this business?
After graduation from Nicholls in 2005, I began working as a dispatcher and purchasing agent for Major Equipment and Remediation in Amelia. In March of 2006, I was hired by Crosby (then known as C&D) to create requisitions for Shell using their global SAP enterprise software.

What was your first job?
I was a student employee for the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Bayou Boeuf Lock in Morgan City.

Do you remember your first day at Crosby?
I’ve been a Shell contractor for my entire tenure with Crosby. I believe on my first day, I sat behind Mr. Roy Donaldson and began learning the SAP Requisitioning process.

What is your best work memory?
I think the MCT SPU (Morgan City Terminal – SAP Processing Unit) crawfish boils would rank pretty high in this category!

What has been your biggest challenge?
Keeping up with SAP system upgrades and updates. Learning how to manage new workflow processes and figure out best practices to ensure that things continue smoothly for our customers and stakeholders.

What skills are you most proud of?
I’m pretty proud of my SAP expertise mentioned above. I have a knack for spotting and preventing errors. I don’t catch them all, but my teammate Jarrod Leblanc and I have a pretty good track record so far. I’m also proud of my ability to interface with folks from all facets of the organization to help get the job done. I’m also pretty good at troubleshooting computer issues before we have to call the helpdesk!

What were the greatest challenges you faced at work?
As an SAP Requisition specialist, the greatest challenges have been in this realm. SAP is a very temperamental piece of software, and you have to adapt to change to keep the procurement of goods and services going smoothly.  

How did they help you grow as an individual?
These challenges have taught me to try and have patience with myself and others and that nobody is perfect.

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
Have patience with yourself and others, and nobody is perfect. Keep showing up every day and chip away until you get it right. Take good notes!

What were you working at when you most enjoyed work? What was the work environment like then?
I think the time I most enjoyed was when we had the big team over at the MCT SPU trailer complex. We were all together in one building and worked as a cohesive unit.  

Is there a colleague from work that has inspired you in your life?
Jarrod Leblanc. I consider him a friend as well as a coworker.

What do you regret most in your tenure?
I’ve been fortunate enough to say that I have no regrets in my tenure. I keep looking ahead and take it one day at a time.

What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from your coworkers?
Slow down and be patient, and keep going.

Can you describe your career in one word?
Dedication.

Add additional comments?
I appreciate the recognition here. It’s been an honor to serve for these last 15 years, and I look forward to the next…

On February 17th Michael Berly retired after 37 years in the Oil and Gas business. We are so proud to have been part of his journey. In this post, we ask Michael a few questions about his career…

How many years in this industry?
37 years in the oilfield since I took an eight-year break while I was in the army at age 30

How did you get started in this business?
My dad put me to work one week after graduation. At the time, it was best.

What was your first job?
My first job was painter sandblaster.  

What skills are you most proud of?
Most proud of my troubleshooting skills and knowledge of P&ID’s. 

 What were the greatest challenges you faced at work? How did they help you grow as an individual?
My greatest challenge was making it through numerous oilfield crunches. And my time in Africa planning shut down turn arounds.
This helped in improving my P&ID skills and my cultural knowledge of other countries. 

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
The advice I would give is never to be afraid to ask questions, find your P&iD’s and start tracing lines.  

What were you working at when you most enjoyed work? What was the work environment like then?
I most enjoyed my Overseas work; it was fast-paced and multicultural. Some of the stories you would hear of their countries were awesome. 

What is your best work memory?
 My best memory should have been my last day of work. But wow, the weather made it truly difficult.

 Who and what will you miss most?
 I will miss Crosby, for they have probably been the best company in caring for the worker and taking care of any matter they had control of.

What was the best thing about this industry?
The industry’s best thing is finding and working with a crew that supports each other without hiding knowledge of growth.

 Can you describe your career in one word?
 “interesting”

Any comments that you want to add?
I want to thank Crosby for allowing me to work for them and always being there and taking care of their personnel. May God bless your company in growth and prosperity.
Thank you, Megan and all of Crosby, for always being there and helping to the best of your abilities. Over and beyond.

Roger Kearnes is celebrating 11 years with Crosby Energy Services. 

I asked Roger if I could interview him about his career, and with Roger’s classic northerner response, he said
‘You Betcha”…

What are your hobbies?
Golf weather permitting, visiting new places to paddleboard, spending as must time Face timing with my three grandchildren. And of course, spending time with those friends with boats or snowmobiles, I am always up for a good time. And now that the gyms are open again, I’m getting started back into that.

How did you get started in this business?
I was working as the Operations Manager for Lowes home improvement (worked my way up from the bottom “17 years”), but I wanted to move my life in another direction, so I applied for a position with C&D Production. I did a skype interview with Rob Juul and Mike Crosby, and after maybe a week, I was hired. I started as an HSE Manager/Payroll/Assistant Manager/Accounts for our area. Not long after, my Operations Manager resigned, so I took advantage of the opportunity and proved to everyone in the Cutoff office that I could do this job and not fail. Obviously, they had the right person for the job.

Do you remember your first day at Crosby?
I do. At first, I was overwhelmed, but when things started coming into play, and with a lot of help from the office, I quickly got a handle on things.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Weather-SNOW is about my biggest challenge. If you don’t like it, wait 5 minutes, and it will change. I have been in some very hair-raising situations throughout my career with Crosby driving on various highways, especially Interstate 80. The wind blows here all year round, and with snowdrifts 3 feet high.
Another challenge is making sure we hire people looking for long-term employment and not just here to collect a paycheck. I guess these days, this is a universal problem.

What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
Take your time selecting the right person for the job. Ask yourself if you would want this person working for you directly or if you owned this business would you spend all this money to hire, train and develop this person.

What is your best work memory?
Meeting my wife, Tammy !! We had operators working for shell in Colorado when they were doing exploration there. While staying at the Holiday inn for weeks on in, she would always be my waitress. She knew I had an Ice tea with lemon, and as soon as I sat down at the table, she would bring it.

Well, I kept on telling myself I would never date someone working in a Bar/restaurant, but as fate would have it, we started dating. However, she still had to make it through the process of approval. The first would be my Daughters, of course. Next is my personnel Manager Jayme. I bet you are asking why Jayme? Since Jayme started ten years ago, we have been in each other’s corners ( the right hand always knows what the left hand is doing). Then we had a golf tournament in Pinedale, WY, that Mike Crosby, his wife, Rob Juul, and his wife attended, so they got to meet Tammy first hand. They both really liked her, and later on, Rob Juul attended our wedding in Colorado. Tammy and I have been married for five years. So it is obvious… we are all family here at Crosby.

What do you like best about working here?
Everyone throughout the company is like family. You are not just a number. The Crosby Family knows how to treat their employees and retain them.

What advice do you give someone starting out in this business?
Work hard and have a vision for success, even through challenging times. Never tell a customer NO because somebody out there is willing to tell them YES. Always have a plan. Treat your employees with respect, as you would want to be treated. Lastly, get to know your employees and build your inner circle.

Add any additional comments:
I would like to say THANK YOU, Jayme. She has been a big part of our business out here. Jayme has done many things behind the scene. We have worked together for ten years with ups and downs but have always managed to pull it all together.

This January, Ed is celebrating 15 years with Crosby Energy Services and 54 years in the Oil and Gas business. “Ed Thomas has been an essential part of our organization’s journey and success. I am eternally grateful for the dedication and passion he has shown,” stated Mike Crosby

In this post, we ask Ed a few questions about his career…

Can you tell me a few things about you and your family?
Sarah and I celebrated 54 years of marriage this past October. We are thankful that the lord has granted us these years together. We have been blessed with two children, Dee and Dajuan, additionally. We have 5 grandchildren of which we are so proud.

What are your hobbies?
Golf has been my only Hobby, however: due to back problems, that’s not an option. I also enjoy spending time with family and traveling.

How did you get started in this business?
I began working in the Oilfield for Kerr McGee in 1967, then went to work for Shell Oil and retired after 31 years. This was great training grounds.

Do you remember your first day at Crosby? What was it like back then?
Very interesting question; C&D/Crosby did not have any onshore operations. I was asked by (Bobby St Pierre) if I was interested in working for C&D back then. My immediate response was, “Work” I had been retired for 6years, and I really wasn’t interested in working. I asked what the job expectations were. They said to call on Shell out in Granbury, Texas, take them to lunch and play a little golf with the customers. So I am thinking I play golf every day because I was marshaling at a golf course and was definitely eating. So you are going to pay me to do that. When I started calling on other companies, it was a challenge because most of my career, I was on the other side of the desk where people were calling on me. But it did not take me long to catch on.

How many people in the office back then?
I was initially a one-man show, and I worked out of my house, used hotel rooms to conduct interviews, and hired people. Years later, as the business grew, Mike wanted to set up an office. We had a total of 3 people to handle recruiting, hiring, buying trucks, tools, and HSE. It has come a long way.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Trying to cover a large region and keep up with clients that change constantly.

What do you like best about working here?
It’s hands down the family and small company environment. It doesn’t take long to get decisions made.  

What advice do you give someone starting out in this business?
Be patient, build relationships, maintain those relationships, and operate ethically. Note: If you don’t like what’s happening today, it will change tomorrow.

Crosby is a good family-owned company, and they care about their people. I can tell you; I have been treated like family for years. It was not an easy task growing the onshore business, and it took a lot of help from the Larose office staff. Mike Crosby spent a lot of time with me traveling to North La, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico; most of it was driving. We really got to know and respect each other.

The question I often get is when will I retire; the answer is when I become non-productive.

In August Stuart Edmondson retired after 46 years in the Oil and Gas business. We are so proud to have been part of his journey. In this post, we ask Stuart a few questions about his career…

How did you get started in this business?
I got a summer job in 1974 after high school at Shell and got hired after.

What was your first job?
I was hired as a maintenance c roustabout with Shell.

What skills are you most proud of?
My ability to work with others and be a mentor to the younger guys.

What were the greatest challenges you faced at work? How did they help you grow as an individual? What advice would you have for other employees facing similar challenges?
Shut-ins, they helped me be calm in a critical situation. Don’t panic when something happens. Think about what is going on and go from there.

What were you working at when you most enjoyed work? What was the work environment like then?
When I was operating at GI 22L was the most enjoyable job. It was the best group of guys who worked well together, which created a great environment.

What was your best work memory?
It was a bonding experience when we stayed for a hurricane and maintained the generator and caring for ourselves. We really created a bond.

Is there a colleague from work that has inspired you in your life?
Andrew Carr the lead at GI 22L. He was the most inspiring person I worked with. His people skills and calm manner and patience as he assisted with problems and showing you the right way to do things.

What do you regret most in your tenure?
I regret that I never really got the hang of pneumatics and troubleshooting panel problems.

Who and what will you miss most?
I will miss all the guys at GI 22L. They were all a great group of guys especially the young guys I was working with.

What was the best thing and worst thing about this industry?
The best is you only work 1/2 a year. The worst thing is you miss your family and important family events. It’s important that you get along with those you work with because that’s your other family.

What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from your co-workers?
My co-workers at GI 22L showed me that if everyone works together the work atmosphere is better, which leaves everyone with a better attitude and work is easier, less stressful and safer because you are focused on the job at hand.

Can you describe your career in one word?
Gratifying.

What were some of the unexpected challenges that you faced in your current position, and how did you overcome them?
The shut-ins because it involved so many components. I overcame them with the help of the lead operator. I slowly learned the steps to get it back online.

and

Did you really expect your supervisor to be so awesome?
The two foremen were great, they never barked even had hands-on when things went south. I enjoyed working for Eric Jester and Grant Guinn, two great guys. Megan Hebert was always there for any need and always responded quickly. I also enjoyed working with her.