Mark Brenon

Mark Brenon

Vice President

Downstream, Upstream
 
United States

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

VP Operations

2. What are your areas of expertise?

Downstream Subsegment:  Refining

Downstream Disciplines: Operations, Project Management

Upstream Disciplines: Operations, General Management, Completions, Executive, Project Management, Supply Chain

Upstream Areas: Offshore, Onshore

3. Current Employer:

Top Secret Information

4. Previous Employers:

FMC Technologies, Sony-Ericsson

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

FMC Technologies was looking for someone to run their US Manufacturing Operations for their Surface business. They weren't looking for a technical expert, fortunately. They were looking for a leader and someone who could create a high performing culture. They hired me for my lean expertise, not my industry expertise.  

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

I was hired by a Capital Management company to be a CEO for a small business. I went through the entire process of finding a business to acquire, persuading investors, and developing a supply chain to enhance our offering. We made an offer to acquire, and it was accepted. However, in due diligence, we discovered some risks that we were not able to accept. But, this was the most exciting time of my career. I want to help others experience that same excitement of fulfilling their vocational dreams. I learned a lot through that process that I hope will be helpful to others.

Okay, now for some fun things about Mark…

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

  • Church/Bible

  • Family

  • Sports

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

  • In 18 months of starting a new role, our team increased Gross Margin by 29 percentage points, on time delivery by 61 percentage points, and won the chairman's award for the greatest achievement that year in TechnipFMC.

  • As General Manager, in a 2 year span, our team increased EBIT 150% two years in a row, and we increased revenue by 40%, while maintaining zero safety incidents across the business.

  • By restructuring the business and laying out a new strategy, in a one year period, our team turned around a business that was losing money (-15% EBIT) to making money (+5% EBIT). It was the largest one year bottom line improvement in the large company's history. Revenue declined, but bottom line sky rocketed to create a strong foundation for continued growth.

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

hitting the golf ball straight. Clearly, I'm not a superhero...

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

Football player. I had the fight and attitude at that age...even if I didn't have the skill or size. But at 5, none of that matters.

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

On the golf course, trying to become a superhero. LOL.

Or teaching and preaching the Bible.

12.  My favorite song is               by            .

"One Day More" from Les Mis

13.  If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd          .

I'd start a number of companies! First: A company that produces radio dramas and books. I have written a number of children's books (that need illustrating) and created scripts for radio dramas (that need to be cast and recorded). Second: a Keto candy/bakery company that makes this kind of food in my area.

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

So much great advice given!

1) Level 5 leadership: Be humble, yet never stop believing that you will achieve the goal

2) Look out the window at the team when things are going well, and look in the mirror when things are not going well (never vice versa)

3) Don't believe your own headlines

4) Never make the customer take extra effort to do business with you. Make it very easy for your customers to engage with you.