Getting tickets to the sold-out 100th Indianapolis 500 and making the journey from Houston on a busy holiday weekend required flawless execution and detailed planning. For Heather Hummer, our Operations Coordinator, it was a well-deserved break from the daily “race” she navigates coordinating our global field operations.
But Heather’s personal travel success mirrors the systematic approach she brings to mobilizing our teams across six time zones – from Mumbai, India to Honolulu, Hawaii, with everywhere in between.
The Hub of All Field Activity
Since 2011, Heather has served as the central coordinator for all our field operations. Her role combines elements of travel agent, logistics coordinator, human resources professional, employee trainer, and customer service specialist – all rolled into one critical position.
During peak refinery and plant turnaround season, she’s simultaneously mobilizing up to 40 team members to locations spanning the globe.
Global Reach in Action
In just the first half of 2016, our work crews were active at multiple locations including:
- Gulf Coast facilities across multiple states
- Projects in Montana, Utah, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida
- International work in Hawaii, Santiago Chile, and Mumbai India
- Upcoming assignments in Kazakhstan
Managing this scope means coordinating across six time zones with a 15.5-hour difference between our furthest locations. It’s a complex puzzle of personnel, equipment, and scheduling that Heather solves seamlessly.
Flexibility is Essential
“Being flexible is a must as the operations assignments and priorities change on a daily, and sometimes, an hourly basis,” Heather explains.
Field call-outs often come with less than 24 hours’ notice, requiring immediate coordination of multiple moving pieces:
Critical Coordination Elements
- Commercial airline reservations with expertise in rescheduling and cancellation policies
- Local accommodation arrangements, knowing which hotels particular crews prefer
- Safety council requirements and local regulatory compliance
- Equipment logistics including grit suppliers and industrial supply resources
- Employee training tracking and certification management
Systematic Success Through Organization
Heather’s success stems from her systematic approach to managing complexity. Her tools include:
Comprehensive Tracking Systems
- Detailed spreadsheets for employee safety training and certifications
- Massive field operations whiteboard showing every job and personnel assignment
- Systematic coordination protocols that pull all project pieces together smoothly
“My biggest job obstacle was taking over as Project Coordinator and not having any systems in place for keeping up with crew safety training. Now, I have a spreadsheet on which I easily track all employee safety training,” Heather noted.
The Rubik’s Cube of Logistics
Alex Barre, our General Manager, describes Heather’s role perfectly: “Customer needs require a synchronization of talent, timing and tools. It’s a ‘Rubik’s cube’ of options; and Heather has a track record of lining everything up and getting our personnel and equipment to the contractor gate on time.”
This coordination challenge involves:
- Matching specialized skills to specific project requirements
- Timing equipment delivery with crew availability and plant schedules
- Coordinating transportation across multiple time zones and international borders
- Managing last-minute changes without disrupting ongoing operations
Life Beyond Global Logistics
When she’s not orchestrating international field operations, Heather maintains an equally active personal schedule:
Outdoor Adventures
- Kayaking and camping in the sloughs, bayous, and creeks around Clear Lake, Texas
- Encounters with local wildlife, including snakes and a memorable six-foot alligator that kept pace with her kayak
- Regular outdoor activities that provide balance to her high-pressure professional responsibilities
Family and Entertainment
- Live music enthusiast attending everything from Houston Symphony Pops Series to rock and alternative concerts
- Music education advocate supporting music programs in schools
- Family time with daughters Ashley and Kathy, plus grandchildren Kaitlyn and Dakota
- Racing fan with regular attendance at Texas Motor Speedway and the once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis racetrack, early on race
day, with Indy “swag.”
Heather in the middle
Why This Matters to Our Clients
Heather’s behind-the-scenes coordination directly impacts project success for every client:
Reliable Project Execution
- On-time crew arrivals with properly certified personnel
- Equipment availability when and where needed
- Seamless logistics that don’t delay project schedules
- Proactive problem-solving before issues impact operations
Global Capability
Our ability to take on projects worldwide stems from having systems and personnel like Heather who can coordinate complex international logistics while maintaining our quality and safety standards.
The Foundation of Our Success
While our technical expertise and specialized equipment get the attention, it’s the systematic coordination provided by professionals like Heather that enables our global reach and project success.
Every successful project – whether it’s a routine maintenance turnaround or an emergency repair across multiple time zones – depends on the detailed coordination that happens behind the scenes.
“It’s demanding, but it’s what we do,” Alex concludes. And it’s professionals like Heather who make it possible.
Experience the Difference
When you work with us, you’re not just getting technical expertise – you’re getting a complete support system that ensures your project runs smoothly from planning through completion.
Contact us at (281) 339-9993 to discuss your upcoming projects. Our systematic approach to project coordination, combined with our technical capabilities, delivers results you can count on – anywhere in the world.
Behind every successful field project is careful coordination and planning. Our operations team ensures that expertise, equipment, and logistics align perfectly for your project success.
