Josh Roberts

Joining the oil and gas industry after working in commercial construction for four years, Josh Roberts hit the ground running, taking a leadership role in his first industry job managing the construction and implementation team. His team helped the company become the first primary mover of Eagle Ford crude oil from key regions of the play to the Texas coast. His achievements over the years led to him earning a position as an executive far sooner than he ever expected.

Why did you enter the oil and gas industry?

“After graduating college with a degree in civil engineering, I went into commercial construction for four years. It was about that time that I was feeling the draw of the industry that I had grown up around in West Texas. Simultaneously, the Eagle Ford Shale play was hitting its stride, and I had the opportunity to join a private equity-backed midstream company in San Antonio. While there are several reasons why I entered this industry, the two main ones are the people you get to interact with and the type of projects you get to take part in.”

Which of your professional achievements are you most proud of?

“Stakeholder Midstream LLC, which operates injection wells in Yoakum County, Texas, has recently received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency for its first Class II MRV permit for permanent CO₂ sequestration, marking it as the first of its kind in the state. There are several key individuals both within Stakeholder and outside of our organization that helped accomplish this monumental achievement.”

What is a professional experience that is especially memorable to you?

“A memory that I will highlight is centered on the time we were commissioning our crude gathering system in South Texas. Already drinking from a fire hose in the project management, right-of-way acquisition and construction portions of the project, the real challenge came when it was time to commission the pipelines. In a matter of weeks, I dove headlong into hiring contract employees to assist in bringing the system online.”

How have you exercised leadership to help shape your company?

“Culture is very important to me, and one of my favorite things to say is, ‘I’m not concerned with how we got to where we are, rather, how are we going to move forward?’ I believe that this has helped establish a culture of problem solving. Something we cannot afford in our fast-paced environment is a fear of failure, and it’s paramount that our team experiences the trust and autonomy to make decisions that drive our success.”

Who are your mentors?

“The first person that comes to mind is my father, JD Roberts. I have read many books and been both directly and indirectly mentored by many people, but the most valuable lessons, observations or advice that I have received have come from him. He taught me the importance of hard work, how to think and problem solve, the importance of your reputation, and how to lead by example.”

What professional advice would you give other young professionals in the industry?

“Ask questions and walk with humility. The temptation when you are growing in your career is to feel like you have, or give the impression that you have, all the answers all the time. Many people have come before you in this industry, and you likely work alongside a host of highly intelligent and experienced individuals. Ask them questions and learn from them.”

What transformations do you think the industry must undertake for it to thrive in the future?

“As an industry, we need to continue to be innovative and flexible, with an unwavering dedication to focus, specifically relating to sustainability. There are many companies and innovators advancing critical technology. As a culture, we need to see oil and gas as a principal resource in our society, and remain committed to producing these commodities responsibly.”