Women in Energy: Pamela Roth, EOG Resources

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[Editor's note: Influential Women In Energy 2021 is a supplement to the May 2021 issue of Oil and Gas Investor magazine. Subscribe to the magazine here.]

Pamela Roth credits friends in the oil and gas industry for encouraging her to pursue a career path within the industry. At the time, the Colorado native was not aware that the industry was so ingrained in the history of the state, she admitted.

“I was very intrigued because of the important role it has in the state’s history and economy,” she said.

Roth’s first energy-related job was in human resources for a private E&P company in Denver. Today, Roth serves a vital role in government relations for one of the biggest E&P companies in the U.S., serving as vice president of government relations with EOG Resources in Houston.

Career milestone 

“Serving as vice president of government relations for EOG is a career milestone for me. There have been countless peers and informal mentors who have helped me grow over my career, so I feel like they all helped me achieve this accomplishment. I will also say that any long career in oil and gas requires perseverance. The cyclical nature of our industry creates continual change, but the one constant is the importance of building and maintaining relationships.”

Memorable moments 

“The most memorable projects have always been the ones that require collaboration, my favorite of which might be field tours. I’ve facilitated numerous field tours over my career—hosting stakeholders ranging from school children to governors and cabinet secretaries. I find them to be one of the most effective ways to educate a diverse set of stakeholders. Experiencing the innovation and technological advancements first hand is remarkable.

“From a policy perspective, I’ve worked on a vast array of both regulatory and legislative policies over the years. The subject matter is diverse ranging from tax matters to wildlife and habitat conservation. I have also engaged in multiple Resource Management Plan processes on Federal lands. These documents are developed over several years, so there are immense opportunities for collaboration with a broad set of stakeholders.”

Watch a recent discussion featuring EOG Resources Vice President Pam Roth on Hart Energy’s Energy ESG series.

Career perspective 

“I’ve never perceived being a woman as a challenge or an obstacle in the oil and gas industry. This industry has an abundance of talented people who are passionate about what they do. It is also important to believe in yourself and develop a strong work ethic given there will always be obstacles to navigate.”

Adapting to change 

“Government relations is a constantly changing field of new officials, new administrations and new policies, all requiring adaptation and flexibility. So there are always new challenges that require unique solutions. It’s a constant learning process that develops leadership skills, critical thinking and especially emotional intelligence. Oil and gas is a high-tech industry, but the public policy issues are very people-based, so you need exceptional people skills to solve these nonlinear issues.”

“I’m very proud to represent an industry that helps support the quality of life that we all enjoy. Energy touches every aspect of our lives and benefits us in innumerable ways.” 

Meaningful mentorship 

“I have had several supervisors who have mentored me and advocated for me, and I’ve also sought professional coaching throughout my career to identify opportunities for growth and improvement. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to always put people first and to make learning a lifetime endeavor. Those of us in senior roles should look for opportunities to serve as a mentor as well.”

Advice for industry 

“I think the industry needs to make sure it’s creating a culture that is attractive to young professionals. At EOG, we have a very bottom-up culture that allows anyone in the company to present and pursue their ideas. I think there is a lot of smart, young talent out there, and the oil and gas industry has evolved into a very high-tech industry, so there are many opportunities for young professionals.

“There is always a need to communicate more effectively and proactively about the benefits of oil and natural gas. We have a great story to tell and are vital to everyday life.”

Tips for young professionals 

“I highly encourage young professionals to identify their goals and commit to the work required to achieve them. If I could go back and do that earlier in my career, I would. I would also encourage every young professional to find mentors, both formal and informal, who can both advise you and advocate for you. Lastly, I suggest everyone should constantly build their skill set. Whatever it takes to push you out of your comfort zone will ultimately benefit you down the road.”

Motivation 

“I’m very proud to represent an industry that helps support the quality of life that we all enjoy. 

Energy touches every aspect of our lives and benefits us in innumerable ways. I’m also impressed by the level of talent and expertise that exists in this industry. It’s easy to be motivated when surrounded by such committed and innovative peers who also want to see the industry succeed and evolve.” 

“Oil and gas is a high-tech industry, but the public policy issues are very people-based, so you need exceptional people skills to solve these nonlinear issues.” 

Charitable work 

“I sit (or have sat) on a number of nonprofit boards, including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.” 

View the full on-demand video interviews featuring this year’s honorees at HartEnergyConferences.com/Women-in-Energy