Over the past few decades, the Chemical and Oil & Gas industry has faced a relentless onslaught in the media, resulting in tangible consequences. The workforce is experiencing a decline in the influx of new engineers compared to the departure of seasoned professionals. This imbalance places the burden on fewer individuals with limited experience, expected…
For the past many Springs, I have taught a Process Safety class at Rice University. I thoroughly enjoy imparting knowledge of my craft. I am also inspired every year by the promise of the students as they march towards the end of their undergraduate careers. One of the questions I get asked a lot by…
2020 was a tough year. Whether you merely survived or managed to thrive, 2020 took more out of you than other years. Each of us has a story to tell coming out of 2020 and the endings to some have not been written yet. Most of us know someone by now who did not beat…
Time. There are so many quotes and books and scientific deliberations on the topic. Some say it flies. Others say it is relative. And a few believe it to be money. They are all right. Time is everything and nothing all at the same time. In previous blogs, I have waxed philosophical on my thoughts…
I worry a lot. No, seriously, I worry A LOT! I always have and I expect I always will. I sometimes worry that I am an un-diagnosed anxiety disorder patient wading through an ever-increasingly angst-filled world. To better deal with the increasing number of stressors in my life during the pandemic, I have adopted what…
As we go about our lives, especially during the Holiday season, we oftentimes find ourselves being pulled in many directions by imaginary, yet seemingly very real, strings. These strings tug at our mental capacity. They tug at our heart and soul. They tug at our physical faculties and muscles. They tug and pull and yank…
Do you have some place better to be? Do you have something better to do? Are you running from task to task and activity to activity so fast that you don’t seem to have time to care about the task or activity at hand? You know what you have to do, right? You know you…
My sister-in-law, Judy Perez, recently passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Her last days were tough on everyone close to her. There is no doubt that cancer sucks! Being around death is not a habit I want to develop; however, exposure to the physical, mental, and spiritual grit that accompanies many…
My sister-in-law, Judy Perez, is battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and has been for over four years. She just started a cycle of compassionate care treatment at MD Anderson. Life has been especially tough for her and my brother, Julio Perez, these last several months. They have dealt with physical pain, emotional highs and lows,…
I have worked in the PSM consulting business for close to 20 years. When I graduated from college, I did not set out to be a PSM engineer or consultant. PSM was in its formal infancy when I started my career as a chemical engineer with Rohm and Haas. I was fortunate that Rohm and…
