George Colbert, Customer Success, Director at H&P, is a graduate of the Energy Workforce Executive Leadership Program. He recently shared his insights on the energy services and technology sector.
Energy Workforce: What is your role with the company? What are your core responsibilities? What does a typical day look like?
GC: I lead our Customer Success organization, ensuring we deliver measurable value to our customers while driving sustainable profitability for H&P. My core responsibilities include aligning customer feedback to operational improvements, building customer engagement frameworks, and supporting strategic initiatives that bridge the field to the C-suite. No two days are the same, but they typically blend time with customers, leadership planning, and operational execution.
EW: Why did you join the energy industry? Was there an individual who influenced your decision? Was there an event or piece of technology that got you excited?
GC: Growing up in Oklahoma, the energy industry was always part of the backdrop and part of my family’s story. My family has deep roots in Osage County, tied to the original oil boom, so there’s a sense of legacy in being part of this work. What ultimately drew me in, though, was the combination of complex problem-solving, high stakes, and real-world impact. I didn’t have a single pivotal moment. Just a growing awareness that this is an industry where those who are willing to lead, adapt, and challenge the norm can truly make a difference.
EW: What individual has been most instrumental in helping with your career? What did their mentorship look like, and how did it guide your path?
GC: I’ve been fortunate to learn from several great leaders, but one who stands out is Trey Adams, SVP, Global Commercial, Sales, and Marketing, who emphasized servant leadership and strategic adaptability. His mentorship reinforced the idea that true leadership is built on trust, resilience, and consistently doing the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing.
EW: What was your impression of the industry beforehand, and how has it evolved?
GC: Before joining, I viewed energy as a traditional, engineering-driven industry. While that foundation still exists, I’ve seen it evolve dramatically, becoming more customer-centric, technologically advanced, and focused on long-term sustainability. What’s often overlooked is that it’s our industry, oil and gas, that’s funding, piloting, and scaling many of the innovations driving the broader evolution of energy. From digital technologies to cleaner operations, we’re not just part of the energy expansion, we’re leading it. That level of adaptability and responsibility has reshaped how I view our role in the global energy landscape.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
GC: How quickly it can pivot when truly necessary. While change often moves slowly, when the moment demands it, the industry adapts at a speed few outsiders would believe. What makes that possible, and what’s surprised me most, is just how smart, versatile, and creative the people in this industry are. Whether it’s solving complex technical challenges or adapting to evolving market demands, the depth of talent and ingenuity across the workforce is what truly drives our resilience and progress.
EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
GC: I hope to see the industry continue embracing smart technologies, expanding automation, continuing to lead and enhance environmental stewardship, and strengthening customer-centric business models.
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
GC: I aim to help lead the industry’s evolution by building frameworks that align operational excellence with customer success. My focus is on creating systems that not only deliver immediate value but also adapt to changing demands, ensuring our customers, our teams, and our organizations remain resilient and competitive in the long term. I believe the future of energy will be shaped by companies that deeply understand their customers’ evolving needs, embrace innovation without losing operational discipline, and commit to continuous improvement. My role is to champion that mindset, bridging strategy to execution and helping organizations navigate change with clarity, agility, and purpose.
EW: How has your involvement in Energy Workforce supported your career goals?
GC: Energy Workforce has been invaluable in building strategic relationships and gaining deeper insight into what’s happening with our peers, our customers, and the broader industry. That context sharpens decision-making and strengthens leadership. Equally important is the role Energy Workforce plays in advocacy, educating lawmakers, empowering younger engineers, and ensuring that the story of our industry is told accurately and proactively. Without advocacy, none of us will have a long-term career in energy. Their efforts help protect and evolve the future of our industry, and being part of that mission has reinforced how leadership goes beyond the walls of your own company.
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
GC: I’ve met several outstanding leaders in the industry and through Energy Workforce who challenged me to think beyond traditional industry norms. Two individuals who’ve especially influenced my perspective are Trey Adams and Megan Oberly. Trey encouraged me to bring in ideas from outside our 100-year-old organization to help force meaningful change, even when it’s uncomfortable. Megan, who came from outside our company as well, reinforced that same mindset, pushing me to challenge the status quo and look for fresh approaches. Both helped me embrace the value of cross-industry thinking to drive innovation faster and more effectively.
EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?
GC: Automation technologies that enhance drilling efficiency and safety have been particularly impressive. One area that stands out is the advancement of software platforms designed to automate directional drilling processes. By enabling directional drilling experts to oversee multiple rigs simultaneously, these innovations improve operational consistency, increase efficiency, and allow highly skilled personnel to scale their expertise across a broader footprint.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the energy industry?
GC: Stay curious, stay adaptable, and never underestimate the value of building strong relationships. The technical skills matter, but long-term success comes from how well you connect, collaborate, and evolve.
EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
GC: It’s one of the most dynamic, resilient industries on the planet. Behind every project are men and women solving complex challenges that drive the modern world forward, often with remarkable innovation and pride.
EW: What do you do for fun, or what’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
GC: Anything that combines the outdoors, family, and a little adventure is ideal. I enjoy hiking and snowboarding in the Rockies, traveling to new destinations for trail runs, and spending time exploring new places with my family. Staying active is a big part of my life, whether that’s training for long-distance races, stepping into the boxing gym, or practicing jiu jitsu. A perfect vacation for me usually includes a mix of challenging myself physically, experiencing a new environment, and finding time to reset with the people who matter most.
EW: What’s a fun fact people would never guess about you?
GC: I’m the type of person who jumps in and gives it everything I’ve got. I’ve been a professional boxer without ever being an amateur, won my one and only pro MMA fight in 28 seconds, fronted a heavy rock cover band as the lead singer, and ran my first marathon with almost no training. I even own a small part of a third-tier soccer team in Spain. I’ll try just about anything once, and I’m usually the one convincing others to try something too, like karaoke, where you get to see people drop their guard and have fun in a whole new way.
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