James Burgess

James Burgess

Marketing and Business Development

Midstream, Downstream, Upstream
 
United States, Canada

1. What is your profession? Or if you are retired, what was your profession?

Director of Gas Marketing (retired)

2. What are your areas of expertise?

Midstream: Commercial, Trading, Corporate Development and Projects

Downstream: Retail, Project Management, Marketing, Trading, Corporate  Development, Commercial

Upstream: Asset Management, General Management, Sales, Project Management, Corporate Development, Commercial, Marketing

Upstream Areas: Offshore, Onshore

3. Current employer:

Burgess Advisors, LLC (self-employed)

4. Previous employers:

Chevron Corp., Noble Energy, Inc., Texaco, Inc., Arkla, Inc.

5. How did you end up in the Energy Industry?

I guess you could say I was born into it. I am a third generation energy industry participant. My father was a geologist and a landman in his career and I spent a lot of time with him and asked a lot of questions. I was fortunate to be in natural gas marketing when the government deregulated it. I have seen a lot of change since the early 1980's and it has been extremely exciting and fun.

6. Why do you like working with Start-Ups?

I really like helping people see the possibilities and what success could look like. I spent a lot of time in my career helping the early career individuals understand the value of good career planning and good project management skills. I really enjoy using my positive nature and creative skills to envision the future.

Okay, now for some fun things about James…

7. What are three of your interests outside of work?

  • Travel

  • Cooking

  • Spending as much time as possible at our condominium on Miami Beach

8.  What are your top 3 accomplishments (personal or professional)?  Don’t be shy!  Give ‘em to us.

  • I met or exceeded all my career goals

  • I traveled all the way around the world in a single trip

  • I am 2 states (South Dakota and Vermont) away from having visited all 50

9.  If I were a superhero, my superpower would be               .

Helping others who might feel that the world has left them behind find a good path forward.

10. When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a                 when I grew up.

Lawyer

11. If I weren't so damn good at what I do now, I'd probably be                 .

A stage and movie actor

12.  My favorite song is               by            .

I don't really have a single favorite song. However I have several favorite artists/groups and like all of their music. The top favorites are Journey, Smashing Pumpkins, Queen, Tina Turner, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra and Jefferson Starship/Airplane.
 
13.  If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd          .
 
Restaurant serving only locally and regionally sourced meats and vegetables.
 

14.  The best piece of advice I've ever been given is                              .

Read as much as you can about your industry and the segment you are in. Also, learn from the senior members of the team about their successes and challenges.