September 2024 - Buc Slay and Morrie Chamberlain

A bit about Buc Slay
Buc Slay
Chief Technology Officer
Alpine Polytech 

What do you find most fascinating/ challenging about the O&G industry?
There is a big challenge in our industry.  It involves framing a problem in a way that everyone can understand and then creating a plan to solve that problem.  This process is very challenging and rewarding for me.

What is your hobby and why?
My hobbies have changed over the years and my latest interest is smoking brisket.  There are lots of challenges with getting a good slab of meat and dialing in the temperature and smoke level.  I like that technology such as a wireless temperature probe can be your friend.  So far so good as the meat has been tasty and melted in my mouth. 

Have you had a mentor in the industry and what valuable lesson / catch phrase has that person passed to you.
I had two mentors that got me started in this industry.  Tom Ray taught me about the uses of rubber/plastic in O&G and how to travel the world to visit suppliers/customers sharing knowledge when we could.  Dick Irby was also with us at Halliburton for a few years and he taught me the basics for elastomers, mixing, molding, and fluid compatibility testing.

What do you enjoy most about your job and what advice to you have for others?
My jobs have changed over the years from individual contributor, to team lead, to project mercenary, back to hands on every day when we started Alpine.  I now get to spend about half my time working on new test technology inventions and the other half coaching curious scientists so it could not get much better for me!  My advice to others is to study the science and become an expert in something important so that you can add value to a situation with your presence and input.

How long have you been with EPG and what brings you back year after year?
I joined in 2001 and I think I have only missed one time because of a broken shoulder, so you can say that I am committed.  I would say that the best part of the EPG is the people.  I have lifelong friends and colleagues that I respect and greatly appreciate them being part of my past, present, and future.

A bit about Morrie Chamberlain
Morrie Chamberlain
Technical Sales Rep
Azelis

What do you find most fascinating/ challenging about the O&G industry?
It is an industry unique to itself and navigating the waters to introduce a new technology can be very challenging.

What is your hobby and why?
I sing in a band and play the keyboard for fun.

Have you had a mentor in the industry and what valuable lesson / catch phrase has that person passed to you.
I have never had a mentor but my philosophy has always been that between the hours of 9am and 4pm I should be in front of a customer, on the phone with a customer, or emailing a customer.

What do you enjoy most about your job and what advice to you have for others?
I enjoy helping people formulate and source materials to solve problems that they are having. If your focus is to help others, the perks and greater responsibilities will follow. 

How long have you been with EPG and what brings you back year after year?
Actually I just joined and I look forward to my first meeting. A co-worker, Mark Spurlock, recommended the group as our company has a number of materials used in polymer and rubber compounds. I look forward to the networking opportunities and helping where I can.