The evolution of technology, particularly administrative software advances, many times misleads unsuspecting, inexperienced managers. The advertised completeness of these tools implies that the developer has considered proven, tested management practices by consultation with experts in the field. An adoption cycle in the introduction of these new tools repeats itself time and time again which ultimately lands in a place that ironically values the methods of the past. Understanding this cycle enables the manager to leap forward thus avoiding a painful and costly journey. In this talk we will discuss a few samples of this cycle while highlighting the important and timeless steps to successful personnel and business management.
construction career includes extensive international project and business management experience in the global energy sector.
He launched his career at Brown & Root, where he developed a comprehensive and extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry during his 27 years with the company. He retired in 2004 as KBR Officer and Vice President of Global Offshore Engineering. During his tenure his assignments included pipe fitters helper, functional department manager, engineering systems coordination, project engineering manager and project manager.
From 2004 to 2007, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Wood Group Engineering where he implemented operational execution structure in the form of process and procedure to an already highly respected enterprise. From 2007 to 2011, Ivers served as President of Amec Paragon, Inc. and was responsible for Amec Natural Resources Americas’ oil and gas operations. Under his leadership, revenue and EBITA grew as the result of expanded relationships with major operators in the US and West Africa. With Siemens from 2011 to 2013, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas, Compression and Solutions Business Unit. In this role, Ivers was responsible for the 2.5 billion euro global compression manufacturing and oil and gas business solutions from hubs in Germany, Norway, Singapore, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Prior to leaving the business, he restructured the Solutions BU so as to better establish business targets by location and for each business segment. From 2013 through 2015 Ivers was a member of the executive leadership team of SNC-Lavalin’s Resources, Environment & Water group. As the Executive Vice President of the group, he was responsible for leading oil and gas regional centers and providing perspective on the company’s strategic vision, development and execution. His drive and business acumen strengthened business growth, particularly in the Middle East and new markets. Ivers departed SNC-Lavalin in August of 2015 after the successful integration of Kentz Oil & Gas, which the company acquired in 2014.
Most recently (2016 through 2020) Ivers served as Executive President of the Bilfinger North America Division and as a member of the divisional management board. This position afforded the opportunity to establish a division from four dispirit businesses in the United States while building a foundation of growth upon the core tenets of his career: personnel safety, operational excellence, contract excellence, compliance excellence, personnel development and client service. The new division overcame project losses and litigation from 2016/2017 to deliver a best in Group performance in 2019. Ivers departed in 2020 after completing a one year extension to his initial contract.
During the course of his career, Ivers maintained a deep commitment to his community, to the University of Houston and to engineering education. He is a 1980 BSME graduate from UH. He has recently completed four years as chairman of the Cullen College’s Engineering Leadership Board while also having served on the Mechanical Engineering Department Industrial Advisory Board. For his unwavering commitment to the Cullen College, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UH Engineering Alumni Association in 2016. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas.
Ivers makes his home in The Woodlands, Texas with his wife Mary. His four children and their families, including 4 grandchildren, are split between Texas and Oregon.