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.