Jenson Kerr, Territory Sales Manager, GD Energy Products, 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?
JK: My role within GDEP is to grow revenue within our Well Service pump line. I get the opportunity to cultivate new relationships and maintain our current list of accounts throughout the Western US and Canada. No day of the week is the same. If it’s a week when I’m traveling, I’m constantly on the go, meeting new and existing customers. If it’s a week when I’m home, it’s following up on meetings and quotes from my week of traveling and offering solutions when my customers come to me with issues.
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?
JK: I have always appreciated the energy industry, as it has supported my family throughout my life. My father has dedicated his entire career to this field; through him, I have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people. Tony McClain and Brandon Janda, both former GDEP employees, have helped influence my decision to be in this industry. They both courted me to be a part of the GDEP family, and I’m forever thankful to them.
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?
JK: This list could go on and on, but if I had to pick one specific person, it would be our former CCO, Tony McClain. He’s been my biggest encourager, provided me with advice when needed, and brought me back down to earth when I’ve let my ego get the best of me.
EW: What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
JK: I had a positive impression of the oil and gas industry from a very early age since my dad spent his entire career in it. Oil and gas provided for our family and everything in between. Now that I’m part of this industry, I am motivated to work even harder to give back to the sector that has given my family so much.
EW: What has surprised you most about the industry?
JK: As big as the industry is, it’s a very small world. From what I’ve gathered over the last three years, everyone knows everyone, from the Fortune 500 to the mom-and-pop businesses.
EW: Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
JK: I hope the energy sector can attract more young professionals entering the workforce. We have so many talented people in this industry who have so much knowledge but not enough people to share it with.
EW: What role do you believe you will play in the industry’s future?
JK: That’s a tough question. I doubt you will see me come up with the next greatest tool for the upstream market or an idea that will put me on the front page of Time magazine. I want my legacy to be how I improved the lives of my team members and customers.
EW: How has your involvement in Energy Workforce supported your career goals?
JK: Networking! I’m a huge proponent of building your network. EWTC does a great job of providing opportunities for anyone in the energy sector to connect, from the different committees they offer to industry events and so much more.
EW: Who are one or two individuals you’ve met while working in the industry who have impacted your thinking?
JK: I had the opportunity to participate in an internal leadership training program called the Rising Stars here at GDEP. During one of our sessions, we had a guest speaker, Julie Nee, come to talk to our class about positivity and the impact it has on an organization. One thing she said that resonated with me was having a “get to” vs “have to” attitude. For example, I have to go make sales calls today. Versus, I get the opportunity to drum up new business. Allowing myself to switch my mindset to this approach has significantly impacted how I think about opportunities daily.
EW: What’s a technology or innovation you’ve seen in the sector that impressed you?
JK: Zipper Fracking is not the newest innovation in the industry. However, it blew me away when I learned that we can work on multiple wells simultaneously on the same pad.
EW: What advice would you give someone just getting started in the energy industry?
JK: Build your network and say yes to everything! I’ve found that building a network of like-minded people is the biggest key to success. In doing so, I succeed by providing solutions to customers whenever they are in a jam. Whenever I do not know the answer, I can rely on my network as a lifeline, which has helped me countless times.
EW: What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
JK: I wish more people knew we are making significant progress related to well-site efficiencies and taking actionable steps to make our processes more sustainable for the environment.
EW: What do you do for fun or what’s your idea of a perfect vacation?
JK: When I’m not at home spending time with my wife, I like to play golf!
EW: What’s a fun fact people would never guess about you?
JK: I’ve never broken a bone. I guess you could say I’m as strong as Superman, ha!
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