Drilling To Bridge the Gap

Clarke Turner, Director of the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center (RMOTC), says his organization fills a niche in the research and development cycle for small and large companies inside the energy industry .

“We deal with a broad spectrum of industries and then try to apply their technology in the oil and gas industry,” Turner said.

This not-for-profit organization is part of the U.S. Department of Energy. Their facility is located north of Casper, Wyoming in the Teapot Dome Oil Field. RMOTC is committed to staying on the leading edge of oil field technologies.

 

 Clarke Turner of Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing [27:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Training Workers for the Future

The Wyoming Contractors Association, felt that the contractor business was “really feeling the crunch” from lack of employees in every sector, from road building and truck drivers to the energy sector. The WCA was approached by employers in the Oil and Gas Industry who requested they put together a training program for workers interested in the industry.

Thus began the impetus for the McMurry Regional Training Center in Casper. “It is a great benefit to the state,” said Dave Freudenthal, Governor of Wyoming.

 

 Bill Murphy of the McMurry Training Center [20:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Day 15: Animal House

WHEATLAND, WY– Someone asked me today what has been the biggest surprise of the trip. In general, it has been the quality of the people I have met. Genuine, straight-forward, hard working and passionate about their business.

They are also humble. In some ways, I think “humility” is overrated. If you’re not going to recognize your own contribution, someone else will have to and they may not spell your name correctly.

Day 14: Help Wanted

CASPER, WY– Looking for a new opportunity? A place where you can stretch your legs, your imagination and your wallet? Then, Wyoming is waiting for you. We’re looking for able-bodied and able-spirited adventurers wanting to help us grow our state and business base. Training is available both in a pre-employment setting and on-the-job. We’re looking for people of all experiences, especially craftsmen, engineers, welders and all trades. We offer unlimited opportunity, healthy compensation, clean air, room to grow, and hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation, abound. No resume necessary. Just show up with a strong back and a willingness to work.

Day 13: Happy Labors

LANDER, WY — Happy Labor Day!

What does that mean to you? According to the organizers more than 125 years ago, it is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers… a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

If you listen to Lowes or Home Depot, it’s just a good excuse to start a new home improvement project that you won’t complete before company arrives in December.

Day 12: Following the Pink Line

RIVERTON, WY– That’s how we get from point “A” to point “B” and from “X” to “Y.” We’ve had multiple stops and followed many promptings from the Garmin Nuvi. As we continue to tread the western trails, I am struck by the contrasts of traveling today -vs.-yesteryear.

Day 11: Work Where You Live

JACKSON HOLE, WY — The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) put forth a program they call, “KC 2.0″. The idea is that the next generation of employee will chose where they live, then look for a job where they locate. Therefore, in order for Kansas City to attract the “best and brightest” they will have to make the area appear more livable to the twenty-somethings looking for a career.

It’s not just the young folks that want to work where they live.

Day 10: Geography & Environment

GRAND TETON, WY– What a beautiful part of the country this is. Soaring mountains, pine trees that outnumber the stars and the rare explosion of pent up gases that steam out of the ground. Despite the fact that we’ve had near perfect weather (and, I can’t imagine what perfection might feel like), I can still imagine it’s beauty in the middle of Winter. With apologies to California and Southern states, there’s nothing like all four seasons.

There are just some businesses that have to operate in this part of the country.

Vacation Refresher

Wow! What a difference some vacation time can make. There’s a little bounce to your step, the brain is refreshed and if you did it right, you were exposed to some different ideas and approaches from wherever you visited. Since I took the recording gear with me, you’ll get to hear some of these best […]

 

 Gary Bruns [29:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup