The Energy Pipeline

What separates a good event from a day attendees will never forget?
 
On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Mark Immekus, President of Events at Upright Digital, to discuss his journey through oil and gas, media and the evolution of O&G industry events.
 
Mark shares how he helped grow the DUG conferences, navigated industry downturns and COVID-19, launched the Thrive Energy Conference, and how he has built memorable experiences by focusing on customer experience, attention to detail, and long-term relationships.
 
00:00 Podcast Returns
00:43 Meet Mark Immekus
02:10 Why Mark Matters
03:36 Handball to Houston
09:21 Breaking Into Events
11:55 Crisis and Hart Energy
13:58 Building DUG Powerhouse
20:30 Deals Made on Show Floor
23:10 COVID and New Chapter
32:15 Launching Thrive Blueprint
34:30 Building Thrive Fast
35:11 Why Its Called Thrive
37:05 Thrive 2021 Breakthrough
39:55 DEP Barbecue Takes Off
40:50 Ranch Chaos And Rainout
43:42 Camaraderie Over Trade Shows
44:58 Exclusive No Soliciting Rules
47:59 Caterpillar Booth Strategy
50:58 Obsessing Over Details
54:55 Team Culture And Praise
57:51 Post Event Self Critique
01:00:39 Bands Riders And Wrap Up

What does it take to find the leaders shaping the future of energy?
 
On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Caterpillar Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Stephen Preng, Consultant and Practice Leader of Global Energy Services at Preng & Associates, to discuss executive search, talent strategy, and the future of leadership in the energy industry.
 
Preng shares how Preng & Associates has built its reputation through deep industry expertise, retained executive search, and a rigorous evaluation process. He also explores leadership trends across oil and gas and power, the impact of AI-driven energy demand, the "great crew change," and the qualities that define exceptional leaders in today's evolving energy landscape
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:11 Preng Global Reach
03:34 Not Just Recruiters
06:57 Stephen’s Career Path
09:37 Why Companies Outsource
10:49 Networking at Conferences
13:05 Research Team Insights
16:18 Hottest Talent Markets
17:49 Great Crew Change Debate
20:43 Assessments and Culture Fit
27:09 AI in Executive Search
30:01 Defining Great Leaders
30:46 Servant Leadership Traits
31:48 Leadership In Different Markets
32:45 Books And Influence Lessons
35:05 Transferable Success Debate
37:04 Culture Clash In Energy
40:33 AI And Power Shift
43:46 Leaders Who Inspire
52:07 Preng Firm Differentiators
54:44 Favorite Placement Story
59:03 Wrap Up And Where To Find

How can companies stay resilient in the age of AI?

On this episode of the Energy Pipeline Podcast, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, Josh Lowrey sits down with Richard Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of ClearSync Solutions, to discuss cyber resilience, AI governance, cloud strategy, and the growing demand for data centers.

They also explore why many data center projects fail and how AI can help organizations make faster, smarter decisions.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor Intro
00:28 Studio Banter and Watch on YouTube
03:04 Why Richard Matters
04:14 NOV Days and Early Career
07:40 Acquisitions Spark Tech Shift
10:08 Rubicon Oilfield Rocket Ship
13:35 ClearSync Launch After COVID
14:35 Cybersecurity Rescue Story
16:55 What ClearSync Actually Does
25:08 Cyber Resilience Explained
25:49 AI Adoption and Governance
28:07 Cloud Costs and Strategy
31:34 Convergence Moment in Energy
32:45 AI and Peptides Banter
33:34 Data Center Build Blueprint
35:21 From Land to Cooling
39:41 GPUs and Supply Reality
41:33 Is AI a Bubble
43:36 AI Agents for Operations
49:09 Bridging Business and IT
53:38 Governance and Data Readiness
56:37 Wrap Up and Where to Find

What does it take to rebuild and reposition an oilfield services company in one of the industry’s most challenging markets?
 
On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Marshall Dodson, President and CEO of Key Energy Services, to discuss the company’s transformation, strategic focus, and vision for the future.
 
Dodson shares how Key Energy is returning to its core strengths, navigating industry cycles, leveraging technology to improve safety and preserve institutional knowledge, and building a culture focused on excellence, authenticity, and long-term value creation.
 
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:22 Authentic Leadership
02:55 Work Ethic and Loyalty
05:03 What Key Energy Does
07:11 Focus on Being the Best
10:15 Cycles and Survival
14:14 Violence of the Market
16:43 Early Signs of an Uptick
18:44 Recovering More From Wells
21:49 Boots on the Ground CEO
23:48 Meeting Employees in Midland
25:15 Mystery Shopping Hiring
26:26 Safety Tech Not Big Brother
27:43 Cameras Deliver Results
30:08 Future of Well Servicing
33:33 AI Demand and Energy
35:51 AI Bubble Economics
39:06 Ask Bob Safety AI
42:49 Automation Versus Economics
43:58 Culture and Career Reps
49:39 Wrap Up and Farewell

Can America Meet the Energy Demand Surge?
 
In this episode of The Energy Pipeline Podcast, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Molly Determan and Tim Tarpley, Presidents at EWTC, to discuss how AI, data centers, and industrial growth are reshaping energy demand.
 
The conversation covers energy infrastructure, permitting reform, workforce evolution, energy security, and what it will take to power the next generation of growth.
 
Tune in for an insightful look at one of the biggest challenges facing the energy industry today.
 
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
02:02 Understanding EWTC Organization
05:35 Advocacy and Lobbying Efforts
07:49 DC Fly-Ins Experience
10:40 Personal Stories Matter
13:16 EWTC's Industry Impact
17:23 Collaboration and Committee Work
19:49 COVID Response and Support
20:44 Tariffs and Current Challenges
21:44 Venezuela Market Opportunities
23:38 State of Energy Workforce
25:30 AI and Data Centers
27:18 Energy Demand and AI
27:51 The 100 Gigawatt Challenge
29:05 Balancing Focus and Awareness
30:11 Permitting Reform Explained
30:59 Pipeline Capacity Constraints
31:53 State Level Barriers
33:11 New York NIMBYism Story
35:27 Shifting Energy Security Mindset
36:22 Value of EWTC Membership
38:36 Digital Workforce Evolution
40:52 EWTC Events Overview
41:44 Committee Events and Conferences
44:20 June 17th Energy Forum
45:49 Leadership Forums and Networking
47:29 Exciting Times in Energy
48:07 Reflecting on COVID Era
49:27 Consistency and Legacy
51:50 Closing Remarks