Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 <inaudible>
Speaker 1 00:00:09 Joining LinkedIn community energy community, and more welcome to this week's episode of coffee of Jim and James. All right. A quick little story. This is how I interact with industry icons. Picture this 2018 Washington DC world gas. We just set up the energy world, net booth work, you know, get it all set up and what do I do? I do what I do best. Go see friends. So I start to walk through the acres and acres and like a beacon, like a Mecca, the North star. What do I see? Heath consultant's booth. I'm like there's friends. So I go over there and what's in the middle of the booth, but yeah,
Speaker 2 00:00:49 Jeep now, Jimmy, I was walking with you. I remember the story exactly.
Speaker 1 00:00:55 Then do you remember me going through the booth with armed with business cards? And I think it was Gerald SIM. Somebody else stopped me and said, sir, sir, that's Mr. Paul's Jeep. You can mess with that. And I think Gerald walked up and said, it's just Jimmy. There's no stopping them. Let them go. You know, so, but my question is, Paul, don't answer it now. We'll get it to in a second. I want to know as you're traveling down the Galveston coast, taking the ferry over to port Bolivar, unloading the Jeep for the day in the, in the beach in the sun. Are you still finding business cards? Hold on. We'll get to that one in a second. Let me bring dates. Let me bring James in our cohost. My brother. I couldn't do this without him. Mr. James Cross. Good morning, sir.
Speaker 2 00:01:43 Good morning, Jimmy. You might notice on my background has changed. This is not a virtual background. Yeah. I can touch it. I'm in the office tonight for a very awesome reason. And Jeremy, I know your, your heart is breaking for not being able to be there for, um, today is actually the day we hand out Thanksgiving turkeys and hams or employees. And so, um, you know, we have to do it a little bit differently this year. So, um, hence the, hence the, you know, we got the new swag on for anybody who maybe, uh, but we all got together. Leadership got together. We did kind of a drive through where we could be socially distant and still respect everything. Uh, but uh, being able to get to see everybody, man, it was just the same. Right? So as an awesome day, super excited to be on here with Paul today. Paul man, welcome to the show. Are you terrified? Nah, it's great to be here. Always good. Kevin, James and Paul, the question still stands. Are you still finding business cards? I think he left a little
Speaker 0 00:02:49 Part out of that story. That was more than business
Speaker 2 00:02:51 Cards. There was t-shirts in there, uh, energy world, Matt and D here. He, every crack
Speaker 3 00:03:00 And crevice inside that Jeep to stick a energy on that t-shirt and business card in there. So, but he didn't put my size in there. So, so my wife wears them around the house and stuff. So, uh, I still find that the t-shirts, uh, that he left. Doesn't
Speaker 1 00:03:20 Only me only. I would do that only gym.
Speaker 2 00:03:24 Well, that seems like a lifetime ago. Now let me think back to world gas, huh? Yeah, it was a million years ago yesterday. Well, Paul, we're glad you're on the show. Thank you so much for joining us. I know you and Jim have known each other for a long time. You and I, you know, we've met a couple of times here and there and the industry and world guests. Um, but I'm glad, glad you're here excited to get to talk to you.
Speaker 3 00:03:52 That's great. So an honor honor, to be up.
Speaker 1 00:03:54 Well, it's great to have you in. And I was thinking about it. I was like, Oh, Paul and I have known each other for 10 years and I'm like, wait a minute, goes back to the CenterPoint minute gas days. And I'm like, and I started doing the math and I'm like, uh, we surpass 10 years a long time ago, but uh,
Speaker 2 00:04:11 In grade school then listen, take it easy over there. Yeah,
Speaker 1 00:04:16 Young ins. But anyways Paul, why don't you, you you've been in the industry, we'll just say for a decade. So could you give our audience a little, uh, insight into your history when you began, what you've been doing, how long you've been at it? Those, uh, fun things. So yeah,
Speaker 3 00:04:32 Actually this year, uh, I celebrated in June. Um, my 40th actually 40 a year started 1980 and with the same company on top of that, which is, uh, you know, I, I hire people today. We bring people in, you know, that have got 10, 15, 20 years experience and they've had three or four jobs, you know? And so people look and they said, my God, you've been with the same company for 40 years. I said, actually I have I said, uh, but uh, been a great ride. You know, family owned company, third generation, you know, uh, worked for the father, didn't know the grandfather. Um, but, uh, he had passed away shortly after I started with the company, but knew the father extremely well effected. I always called Milton Heath Jr. My, uh, business father. I had my father, father and then my business father. Um, and so I had a lot of respect for him. He taught me, uh, certainly taught me how to work a trade show floor, you know, and how to do it. Right. And now his daughter runs the company. And, you know, I knew her when she was, you know, a young girl going through through college, you know, in their teens. Um, her, her brother also involved in the company, you know, works, works. And so it's been a, been a fantastic ride for, uh, for 40 years. I just can't believe it.
Speaker 2 00:05:46 I just told somebody the other day, I don't have a great story like that where I got 40 years in, but I swear I got here as fast as I could street. That's why it
Speaker 3 00:05:58 Doesn't seem like 40 years. Cause it's always changing. I've always traveled, traveled. The country, traveled the world, different gas companies, different people, different vendors. And so every day is something different, you know? And so it, wasn't kind of like going to the same office job every day and it was just, you know, it's been, been remarkable. It's been, uh, been lots of fun, enjoy every day of it. So let me just ask a quick question. Your current titles, because there's, um, chief
Speaker 2 00:06:24 Marketing officers at crypt
Speaker 3 00:06:26 Or correct. Okay. And senior executive vice president and chief marketing. That's usually the last title you get before they retire. You
Speaker 2 00:06:40 Close, close, good thing. Nobody retires in our industry consultants right
Speaker 3 00:06:46 Long as you know, people. And as long as you brings sales in the door, I said, they won't let you, when you, when you stopped selling and you stopped knowing people and uh, you know, I'm to throw you out the basket,
Speaker 2 00:06:58 Hey, that's when we become consultants. Right. Well, Paul, he, the VW and both, you know, we're very active in associations just across the industry. I think thought leadership and being involved in committees, I sit on committees with folks from all over, um, it's, it's vital to what we do and a big topic going on right now in the industry. You guys know it as well as we do is really then kind of that low carbon non-fossil fuel environment, you know, that, that transition or whatever. What are your thoughts on that topic? Paul?
Speaker 3 00:07:37 That's interesting. He asked that James and I just I've been sitting in the last three days on a GTI C H four, um, conference, uh, that's been run. It just ended today, actually about the 10, 15 minutes ago, but it was, you know, a couple of hundred people virtual, uh, normally meets, you know, up in Fort Collins, Colorado in person, but like everything else this year, you know, all the other associations, the AGA is the MBAs, uh, you know, have all gone virtual and, um, but most of the topic was on that, that very subject matter was on, you know, this, uh, becoming, uh, you know, a net zero, uh, in 2050. And you know, how are you going to get there? And obviously the fossil fuel industries that under attack, you know, by a lot of the environmentalists and stuff out there that, you know, saying that, you know, obviously methane is bad, you know, when methane leaks and it's raw state on burned, you know, the depletion of the ozone and greenhouse gas and climate change.
Speaker 3 00:08:34 And, and so there was a lot of discussion on that, you know, all the new technologies that are coming out, you know, and how, you know, gas leaks are founded on the ground and conventional ways. And now there's launching satellites in the sky to find leaks from, uh, from miles up in the sky. And so all that was discussed the whole hydrogen blending. And so it's just, uh, you know, and there was, you know, industry on their regulators, the vendors, um, you know, ex governors were on there as well. And so it's just, uh, it's an exciting time. It's different, you know, and, and, you know, but it's, it's an education thing. I think it's where everyone in the industry has got to get out and talk to the story and talk, you know, their side of it. And, and, and how, you know, even the natural gas industry is still a good thing. It's still, you know, better than burning coal and some other things that are out there. And so, but it's, uh, it's different than there's going to be a lot of changes, you know, over the next, uh, you know, 20, 30 years, for sure.
Speaker 2 00:09:27 Yeah. There seems to be a lot of people taking more, you know, I think w the, the shock of it all, maybe from 10 years ago, five years ago, when you know, this conversation kind of kicked off more and more now, I think people are kind of getting more into a proactive stance of, okay, how do we become a part of the solution, right? Like, how do we, cause we're not going away, right. I mean, we know that we know what, what drives what, but how do we become part of the conversation? And that's what I love about it is, like you said, seeing those groups come together that can really hash out the world's problems on the everyday. How are we going to hash out this even bigger problem or opportunity
Speaker 3 00:10:09 Spread the good word? I mean, natural gas as a, as a, as a, as a good word to put out there. And it's it's education and it's informing customers. Um, you know, that natural gas is safe. It's clean, you know, it's, uh, it's an efficient energy source and it's not going away anytime soon, but obviously you're going to have to look at alternative sources and renewables and renewable, natural gas and hydrogen and all these other things. But, you know, there's, there's a lot of assets out there. I mean, billions of dollars of assets in the ground that just aren't gonna, you know, give up overnight, you know, it's gonna, it's gonna be a while, um, to replay, you know, what's there and then tire industry that we're in, but it took 150 years to build the industry that we're at right now. And I think you're absolutely right education because a lot of, uh, the consumers just think of natural gas for the water heater or for the furnace or something like that.
Speaker 3 00:11:03 But when you start to look at the industrial aspect, it is critical to the industrial key and yeah, just the beads docs. I mean, look what you use in your everyday light. That's generated from oil and natural gas. I mean, plastics and fabrics, and, you know, everything that we're sitting on and using is oil and gas. Where's all that gonna come from, you know, where's your Tupperware and in all your other things that you use every in your phone, you know, um, it's, it's, it's fossil fuel oil derivative. So yeah, it's, uh, it is incredible with that. Let me, let me switch gears a little bit. I want to dive into a little bit more in the heat. You guys have been around for a few years and are instrumental into the natural world,
Speaker 1 00:11:55 Uh, providing essential services as well as the manufacturer. Um, this year has given us a few different, uh, curve balls with COVID. How has that affected you all at Heath? You know, again, when I say essential services, you guys are on the front line, walking through yards, doing leak detection and such like that. Um, what's
Speaker 3 00:12:16 That, that's a good question. Them. I mean, obviously, you know, our, our services, our field services of underground locating and meter reading and leak detection are, are essential, you know? And so they're all essential services. And so, you know, we've continued, you know, when this took place, the end of February early March, I mean, we've continued, you know, to, to be out there, who's on the ground working every day and we've, we've changed the way we've done the business. You know, we, a lot of home-based reporting now where, you know, they leave directly from home. They don't go into a project office, they don't go into the utility client's office. Um, they pick up their work, you know, electronically, they go out and do their work and then, you know, then come back. So we, you know, and obviously the PPE and everything, you know, to make sure that, you know, there's no spread of the virus and stuff, but, um, you know, from a leak survey standpoint, we don't go inside homes.
Speaker 3 00:13:09 Um, as most there's been waivers, regulatory waivers in a lot of States that we work in and we work across the whole us. And so we've, um, you know, don't go inside structures to check meters, we'll go right up to the building, to the service line. And then, you know, a lot of the indoor meter inspections will get scheduled at a later date. Um, they're still gonna stay in compliance, you know, with a lot of the state regulators, um, on our manufacturing side, you know, that's here in Houston and that's essential also. So we've continued there. I mean, a lot of our corporate people are accounting, HR, things of that sort of, you know, work remotely, um, without any issues, but our manufacturing's kind of hard to build equipment, you know, at your house. And so they've come in, we've looked at different things, shift, work and stuff so that we don't have the entire population.
Speaker 3 00:13:54 So if, if, if in fact we do get, you know, a COVID infection, you know, we can limit it from infecting everybody. And so we've been extremely lucky there. I mean, we've done a lot of due diligence and stuff to prevent things from happening, but, you know, we haven't really missed a beat at all. And so we've, we've continued. And so it's, it's been, um, it's been good. You'll see a truck go by, but on board here. And normally there's selfless airline planes going by all day long. And you'll notice since we bet on you, haven't seen one. And so that's the downside of the COVID is, is airline travel and they're stacked up there. They just don't fly. You rarely see them. So it's a, that parts of the pressing part. So
Speaker 1 00:14:37 Aren't you, one of the few businesses that's actually on the airport property there,
Speaker 3 00:14:44 Technically, I mean, they're, they're supposed to be an airport expansion here at hobby. You know, they opened up an international terminal. And so they've, you know, we're kind of waiting at one time, they wanted to buy our facility, but, you know, with business interruption, we didn't want to move. And so, you know, who knows what might happen. And now with the COVID with the downturn, it's, it's a, it's a seat count on how many passengers pass through, you know, trickles when they do an airport expansion. But when that happens someday, we'll probably, we're probably sitting on the runway right now. So, um, so there will be that day. We probably won't be here.
Speaker 1 00:15:17 Absolutely. I just, I just have one quick, follow-up quick. Cause it's stuck in my head with the changes you talked about that you've adapted during COVID. Do you anticipate those becoming permanent, you know, way of doing business going forward? Or do you think you're going to revert back to the old way of doing businesses?
Speaker 3 00:15:37 That's good. And we've actually learned a lot of things. We've learned that some are good. Some are not so good. But one thing we did learn is, you know, as a company, we probably had too many face-to-face meetings and I think you need face-to-face meetings. I mean, you cannot eliminate those all together. I mean, there's something about comradery and, you know, going out to dinner together after meetings and going, having a couple of cocktails and, you know, there's, there's something to be said for all of that, but I think we've learned too that maybe we did it too much and, you know, do you need to bring people to the corporate office for meetings, you know, on, uh, and so yeah, we can cover a lot of it virtually. We're not going to cut out face-to-face meetings. I just don't think we need as many of them.
Speaker 3 00:16:18 And then we've learned out in the field that, you know, we can today, you know, with, with smart phones and tablets and, you know, you can, and you know, a lot of our software now, you know, runs, we're not real as much paper as we used to be years ago, we're pushing maps and paper and all that around everything's electronic. And so we don't necessarily have to come into an office to pick up maps. I mean, we can come in, you know, we can receive all that work electronically and go right to the field and there's savings there without sitting in the office, you know, drinking coffee and eating a few donuts before you get out in the field of work, you know? And so, you know, so we've learned some things, um, that, uh, and, and, you know, people have brought in some good ideas and suggestions, you know, our field people. And so, um, they've been been fantastic and it's, uh, you know, really helped, uh, it's been a, you know, an interesting year for sure
Speaker 1 00:17:10 To say the least, well, James, we, we can't hear you.
Speaker 2 00:17:15 Yeah. Y'all, y'all, haven't seen it. I've been over here working magic technology magic to make my AirPods work. They just, all of a sudden, I won't hear anyone talk and I'm like, Oh my gosh, I hope that it's not my turn to talk. And then I silently come over here and fix something. And then I'm back on. I was, I was really scrambling over here. I just looked really calm. Um, Paul, one thing we've been asking all of our guests and, um, I'm anxious to hear your answer and I hope it's not just yes or no, but, um, so I'm going to add a descriptor to the end of it. But after 40 years of it, I can't wait to hear it. But, uh, my question to you, sir, is do you love what you do? And if so, why? And if not, why?
Speaker 3 00:18:08 No. I made the reason I'm still in the business. The reason I'm still, you know, with the con is I love the industry. I mean, it's just fantastic people, you know, I always get upset, you know, when I hear, you know, unfortunately, I mean, there are some incidents we have here and there fires a few explosions that make front page news and you know, it, it really upsets me when I hear, you know, people get on there, taken about how utilities don't care about safety and all they care about the bottom line and all. And that is just so ridiculous. Um, I've never been in an industry, the natural gas industry that, that thinks more about safety and every single thing they do every day, you know, and how passionate people are, um, you know, for safety, you know, um, whether it's a leak, whether it's a vehicle on the road, whether it's, um, I mean, uh, anything.
Speaker 3 00:18:54 And so, you know, the, the people in this industry are, are phenomenal. I mean, you know, whether it's a utility, whether it's a municipality Vestor owned, whether it's an associate member, vendor, manufacturer, whatever, I mean, we're all in this together, you know, and everyone understands their, their place in the industry and how each of what everyone does, you know, benefits the industry as a whole. And, um, you know, that, part's what, what, what keeps me in the fact that the company, I mean, we've been lucky as he be in the third generation family and today's business. And, you know, I mean, a lot of companies have been bought and sold, acquired by private equity firms and things of that sort. And I feel extremely lucky that I've worked for the same ownership for those 40 years. And, and, you know, obviously, you know, part of it is your employer has to care about its employees and, and which they've always done and vice versa. And, you know, it's a two-way street, you know, employees have to, you know, do what they need to do for the employer. And the employer has the respect for, you know, on the same way. And so, uh, it's, it's a, win-win both ways and that's been a fantastic ride and not ready to go yet. I'm still excited, you know, healthy things are going love that people love the industry and, uh, you know, not going anywhere soon, so
Speaker 2 00:20:10 Good. Cause we love ya.
Speaker 3 00:20:15 That's right. So that'd be good to get back to, to trade shows and stuff. You know, it's just the, you know, I praise the industry with just, you know, all the changes and everything. And so it's just, it's um, no, it's been, uh, an interesting year. Yep. Hopefully this is over here shortly and we can get back to normal again, at least, you know, when I go back to trade shows and seeing people face to face and even a few drinks and seeing people in elevators coming down from the rooms and, you know, hospitality suites and just know back to back to normal, lot of business and relationships and networking, they're done, you know,
Speaker 2 00:20:56 I never thought I would miss those tiny little beers at the embassy sleeves and the little, you know, the, the checks mix that we got for free dinner.
Speaker 3 00:21:06 Right. Yep. Makes you appreciate, you know, so yeah, I think, I think everybody's ready virtual. I mean, it's, it's, it's good. I mean, it's fun. People are learning how to do things better, but I think, you know, people are also getting tired of it too. You know, it's just, uh, you know, at these trade shows and all that, that carry on for weeks at a time virtually. I mean, it's just,
Speaker 2 00:21:26 Yeah. A little bit different, Paul. I don't, I mean, I don't know how much you've watched of our show, but the funny part about our show is we honestly, we created it. So Jim had something to do because he wasn't going to be traveling. You know, like we sat there and said, what on earth are you going to do with your time, Jim, you're going to go crazy. You're going to run off into that ocean. And so, um,
Speaker 3 00:21:50 I wanted to see Jim walked by and his, by the pool I'd seen with his blazer Bermuda shorts, I dunno, and bare feet, you know? So for Snapchat environment there
Speaker 2 00:22:04 And shared on the tap, you know, a Bermuda shorts and bare feet on the back,
Speaker 3 00:22:08 That's a floating the life. That's the one thing virtual. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:22:13 All you've been awesome. Yeah. Jim will lead us out, but Paul, you've been awesome. You guys are fantastic partners in the industry. You know, I sit beside several people on committees and boards from, again, the things you guys do, um, you all are a special breed for sure.
Speaker 3 00:22:36 Yeah. Now we love the, you know, we think that represent trade shows and you know, the AGA is the SGA is WWII eyes. All those, I sit on the IGU now the international, which is the one above the AGA for the world. And, you know, it's, you know, I always tell people a lot of younger people, you know, get in the industry, come to trade shows and they say, I sat at my booth. You know, for three days I never saw any customers. I said, well, if you think that you're going to send it, every customer that's going to come by and see you. It's not going to happen. I said, you need to get out, engage yourself. You need to get on some committees. You need to go out to the functions, go to the, the hospitalities and, and get out and meet people. I said, you know, you'll meet people in the bathrooms. You know, you'll meet them on the elevator. You know? I mean, Mike,
Speaker 2 00:23:22 I just saw a plane. I just saw a plane.
Speaker 3 00:23:26 Hey, Hey, the economy is picking up. So we're, we're moving. You got to engage yourself. You've got to get out and meet people and there's opportunities to do it. Just don't think sitting at your booth all day long, you know that you're going to see everybody.
Speaker 2 00:23:39 I tell Jimmy all the time, you can sit around and wait for your invite to the party and you can go out there and I'll host your own party, wait for invited. This shows up anyways. So
Speaker 1 00:23:52 I do, I have to say that I immerse myself would be an understatement, but you know, it's our, it's our family, you know, our industry, family. And, um, you know, and you know, I can't say enough about it. I got to, you know, on behalf of James, I thank you so much, Paul, for joining us today, you're a long time friend, um, industry advocate, everything for all of our audience, save, please connect with Paul. He is just the salt of the earth. A great person wants the best for our industry. Um, wealth of knowledge, follow Heath, you know, do that. Follow James and I, uh, on the coffee of Jim and James side to energy, world net, uh, James, and the new swag. Um, until next time on coffee, Jim and James on behalf of James, Paul and myself, we wish you all a great week. Please, everyone stay safe. Um, and again, till next time take care and God bless you and God bless our industry. We'll see you next time.
Speaker 2 00:24:56 I am enjoyed it. Everybody be safe. Absolutely.
Speaker 0 00:25:00 <inaudible>.
