Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:24 Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this week's episode of coffee, Jim and James is riveting James. Okay. Last night when I think of the initials, M G two things come to mind. Okay. First one. I don't know if you know this, but when I had an mg midget convertible red, traveling through the Backwoods of France, my hair flowing under my bra, my scarf whistling in the wind, listening to Jimmy buffet, French wine and cheeses, or, or the other thing that comes to mind is, uh, damage prevention, industry advocates, um, safety. So which, which path should we take today? James? What do you think?
Speaker 2 00:01:14 I say we go the OTA one, one path, uh, with our guests mg Gobi up. Is it go be a go go way? I should ask that.
Speaker 1 00:01:23 Well, you said it right. The very first I go via
Speaker 2 00:01:26 And I almost went with it, like I was a pro, but I'm not. Yeah. Uh, thanks for joining us, brother. How are you,
Speaker 1 00:01:32 Man? I'm thinking of France now and wine and cheese, but I'm doing good. I'm excited to be a part of this. I appreciate the by, um, like you said, to talk to me a little bit about damage prevention and what's going out there with estimation safety and what we do, and we'll go from there.
Speaker 2 00:01:47 Uh, mg, you may get lost on this. The story I'm about to tell, but hang on, hang with me. It's worth it. But, uh, Jim, you were in that scarf and I mean, think a world gas. You remember that a few years back. And, uh, we had these cool towels and Jim knew it would be, you know, an international event. You know, it was a big show in Washington DC. And so Jim took a couple of our cool towels that were branded. He sewed them together on his own, in a hotel and made himself a big scarf. And we, we had a small footprint at the show. You have to understand these, these boats were bigger than my house and bigger than, than any conferences that I've been some of the booths of big dogs like Shenir and, and Exxon and all kinds of big, big names.
Speaker 2 00:02:35 And so here was us in our little 400 square foot booth. And, uh, but because of innovative ideas, like the scarf and it was world cup time, Jim would work that booth and pull people in with that scarf and he'd walk up and throw it back, man. It, it made for a good time. So good call back there, Jim. But that is luckily, that is not what we're talking about, where we're here with mg and MGM and myself just met a little bit earlier, actually in the pre show. But, uh, when you stepped away earlier, uh, Jim and I were talking and we were like, man, we just need to have him G on and chat for, you know, maybe, maybe every other week or, you know, once a month. I think it would be good for everybody. And we don't have to talk about anything. We talked about our dogs, talk about whatever,
Speaker 3 00:03:30 Hey, I'm down. I enjoy talking with both of you. Uh, we get, like you said, I'll talk soccer, I'll talk dogs. There's so much that we can do for him. There you go. I'm ready to go.
Speaker 2 00:03:42 I'll kick it off.
Speaker 1 00:03:44 Well, let's do enlighten our viewers and listeners a little bit. So, uh, let's uh, let's bring everybody into <inaudible>. Can you give us a little update as to what the mission is, what the vision, what you guys are doing? And it is pretty interesting, so I know people are gonna be, uh, fascinated by it.
Speaker 3 00:04:03 Yeah. Um, I love being a part of OTA. One, one we're Oklahoma's one call center. Um, every state, um, all has a one-on-one call it before you dig in. Oklahoma is no different. So, um, within OTA one, I've been with the company eight years, I started out as a contact center representative taking those phone calls, trying to help that integrators get lines located and then through opportunities and, um, advancement. I'm now the education and outreach liaison. Um, what that means is I get to do this. I get to talk with anybody who will listen about the importance of damage prevention, safe excavation, and, um, from the law standpoint, as well as best practices. I'm just trying to make sure that everybody's on the same page and trying to save the lives. And that's our big mission is just to get it out there in front of them.
Speaker 1 00:04:53 Just a quick, another question. Do you mostly go within the state of Oklahoma? Do you sometimes venture outside of that? Uh, do you have counterparts that you interact with?
Speaker 3 00:05:02 Oh, great question. Um, most of our work is done in Oklahoma. Our law is, I was just, okay, I'm a one is Oklahoma's one call center. And so there's a lot of state specific outreach that we'll be doing when we go do conferences or we do trainings with excavation crews and stuff, but there are a lot of opportunities for partnership. I work with Texas eight one, one quite a bit, um, with, we call it, um, a one-on-one along the border because we have crews that were working on a pipeline and come in Oklahoma. And the law is different just a little bit, how much notice or, um, tolerance zone or things of that nature. So we just make sure, Hey, once you cross this state line, things are a little bit different and we want you to know the differences, but the overall mission is still the same and being able to work with Texas or, um, I'm part of a national liaison group where we're networking and kind of sharing best practices like, Hey, how are you getting in front of these people? What are you partnering with? Um, that has been tremendous over the last two years, I've met, um, a liaison in 30 States so far. And so just kind of seeing how New York is doing it or Pennsylvania is doing it versus Oklahoma and Texas. So it's been a fun journey in this career.
Speaker 2 00:06:17 That's cool. We we've got a lot of friends shout out to our Texas eight one, one folks, uh, our friends over there, John Sparks, uh, Doug Meeks, uh, Keith, uh, Tina, all those folks over there doing great stuff, especially during the pandemic. Um, they, they shined, I think they were ready with their town halls and kind of, uh, changing that into webinars. And I think I might've seen you on one of those NG here recently or not. They're coming up it already come out.
Speaker 3 00:06:47 It already did Keith Keaton. I, um, did a virtual webinar exclusively. Like we were talking about the differences between Titus and Oklahoma laws. We have future plans already. I'm also working with, um, New Mexico as well. I know Oklahoma and New Mexico don't directly border, but we're both, um, small as far as the number of locates and stuff like that compared to Texas. So I get to help them with what their processes are. Um, so it's, it's been fun. The networking's awesome. Um, and being able to share ideas and insights has been great.
Speaker 2 00:07:21 Yeah, they're a good group. Um, so, so that leads in kind of perfectly to, as we talk about, you know, kind of that transition to virtual, you know, during this pandemic and, and as we kind of make our way through the best we can, I guess, you know, okay. One was, was a little bit ahead of the curve and doing some things that, you know, even Gemini during this, we had to find a way, you know, to really connect with people and stuff. So we created this, but, uh, you guys were actually ahead of the curve and doing some stuff. Do you want to talk a little bit about that and then what the future holds also, you know, in that realm?
Speaker 3 00:08:01 Yeah. Um, I have to give props to our leadership at, okay. One, one, our leadership has given me an opportunity from day one. Um, a lot of green lights when it would have been easy to say no. Um, they were like, uh, maybe we shouldn't do a webinar every other week and try to get, um, that's greater as to pay attention to this. And then, um, my director, her husband, um, on the side does a podcast, which involves like eighties and nineties cartoons and comic books. And she comes to me and she goes, Hey, this is something that is popular. Like people listen to podcasts and I'm like, yeah, but they listened about like life, like advice. And I, I don't need a life coach.
Speaker 2 00:08:48 I am Z all day. I mean, I'm not
Speaker 3 00:08:52 Right, exactly. Like big, yeah. I listen to for, um, financial or life coaching, but do I really want to try to do a podcast regarding, um, say if excavation and she's like try it. So we pulled up a microphone and did all the work, and then I just threw out some feelers. And next thing I knew we had like eight episodes back to back and I'm like, okay, this is going to work. And then the greatest thing about the podcast is surely you have seen it as well is once they're out there, they're out there. And months later you'll go, Oh man, like 20 people listening to this in January. And we recorded it back in July. Like you can see back up, you know, on social, you can just bring it back up to the top. And you've got new content for a bunch of new viewers.
Speaker 3 00:09:37 Exactly what really is fantastic. Yeah. So the podcast is one thing that we were doing a little bit ahead of the pandemic and in our webinars. And then when the pandemic really set in and we all got sent home and I wasn't able to go and talk in front of these, um, excavators anymore and construction crews, that's when we just looked at, what else can we do? Like, how can we take this further? So instead of trying to reboot, we just put gas on what we were already doing. And we took our podcasts in this level. We've done more promotion with it. We have more guests lined up for this year. Um, by the way, both of you, um, we have tons of opportunities in front of us, um, with the podcast, with our webinars and dedicated trainings as well. Um, so if any Oklahoma listeners, um, please go to our website, um, okay. One more doctor where you'll see plenty of opportunities to interact with us as we educate virtually as much as we can, hopefully we'll be back in front of people soon, but until then, we're doing as much as we can. Well, let me
Speaker 1 00:10:37 Ask you quick question in regards to that. So I'm getting the feel that even coming out of this pandemic soon, you know, hopefully, um, your, this form podcasts and such will probably remain a thread throughout what you're doing. So you'll do the virtual as well as the in-person.
Speaker 3 00:10:57 Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. We've had too much access to run away from it now. Um, I, I, it's where I understand if once the podcasts are out there, like I said, people are catching it six months later, so there's no harm in throwing it out there. And then just having that available later, um, I look forward to staying 50, to a hundred people in one conference and talking to them. But until then, Hey, when I see five, 10 people hitting a podcast in a day, we're getting there. And so I'm not going to, I'm never going to just drop it completely. Yup. Yup.
Speaker 1 00:11:34 I like that. Let me, let me, you know, you struck a nerve just with your passion in a good nerve in me and I'll, I'll, I'll tell you a story. James has been a lot of things to me, including a mentor and a mentorship is a really important thing because it helps people grow and it, you know, you try to things a little bit differently. And the thing that James has always talked to me about consistently is the why's, you know, why we do this with the wise in our life. And so I want more on a serious or somewhat serious note. What are the why's in your life? Why do you do what you do? Why have you been there for eight years and have this intense, you know, drive in you? And it just pours out of your yourself, go, go, go with us. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:12:23 Um, if you, if you would've been talking to me 10 years ago and said, Hey, mg, I got the dream job for you. You're going to go around and talk about digging and it's going to be fun. I would have just laughed because, Hey, I don't even own a shovel. Like right now I do not have a shovel. Like, it's just not part of me. My first name is manual. I'm not known for manual labor. That's just not me. Right. And so I had a couple of things just kind of fall into place. And, um, this is going to sound like the most, um, we're going sentence, but I played kickball in a kickball league and one of the teammates I had, um, she was working for <inaudible> and I was like, Hey, I'm in transition. I'm looking for something new to do. And she's like, dude, come work here.
Speaker 3 00:13:08 And I was like, ah, that's, non-profit, that's nonprofit money. I don't know about that. And I went and interviewed and um, just out of total curiosity and had some questions to answer it. And I was like, okay, I can see development here. I can see growth here. And next thing I know I'm, I'm working and, um, opportunity after opportunity raised. And it was just more just experienced life skills. And I know how to talk pretty well. I've done standup comedy. I've done this opportunity here and there. I had opportunity with social media and being able to work, um, on the computer and stuff. So I was like, maybe this is the right fit for me. And it was all just kind of chasing like a title at first. And then this is when it became serious. Um, about two years ago, I was given one, one of my first safety meeting, presentations, seven o'clock in the morning in Tulsa.
Speaker 3 00:14:00 I drove to Tulsa from Oklahoma city that morning. So that's almost a two hour drive. So I get there, I'm sleepy. I admit it. But I'm there. And the safety director for this construction company, he's telling me, he's like, Hey mg, just so you know, our average employee here is between the ages of 18 and 25 entry-level construction. This is a safety meeting. You're gonna have to keep their attention, good luck. Right. And I'm like, okay. And he goes, but whatever happens, I need you to really talk about the tolerance zone. It's really important that we talk about the dollar end zone and explain to them, um, about the two feet, either side, no mechanized equipment being safe stuff. And I'm like, okay. And I was kinda mad at them in my head because I was like, I already had my PowerPoint ready to go.
Speaker 3 00:14:45 Like, you're going to ask me to tell them something extra when I'm already like what this can to presentation, ready to go, but I'm going to do the best I can. So during the presentation, I'm going through it. And there's just one slide. And I know it sounds so simple, but it just says dig safely on it. And that's all assess those two words. And I went into this little story. I was like, Hey guys, okay. Warren is a nonprofit that more operating costs are covered by member companies. A member company is that underground facility that we're trying to protect. There's a lot of reasons we're trying to protect that underground facility. There's somebody making money by things going through that underground facility, whether it's a pipeline, whether it's electric, whether it's water, right? So we can all agree. Let's not hurt somebody's money. Second, selfishly, I want to be able to take a shower.
Speaker 3 00:15:36 I want to be able to watch the soccer game on the weekend. I want to be able to make a phone call or get on the internet. So selflessly, please don't don't mess up the facilities. And then I know a neighbor that probably wouldn't survive the winter without heat. I know someone who needs to be able to call nine 11, if there's an emergency or they fall. So let's also protect the underground facilities for them as well. But I can promise you that no matter what I say about all of that aspect of it, the reason I'm here is for you. I want you to come back to work tomorrow. Yes, amen. And when I said that, when I just said, I want you to come back to work tomorrow. I mean, it felt like I punched every single dude in there in their stomach.
Speaker 3 00:16:20 And it was just like this weird, quiet, like, did I say something to the wrong? And I go, so can you go back to work tomorrow? You can provide for your family. You can be there for your friends. Let's move on. And I talked about the rest of the presentation. The presentation ends and safety director comes up to him and he goes, Hey man, thank you so much. That was a great presentation. Um, do you mind if we talk real quick and I'm like, no, not at all. Because if you know anything that means you're about to get some free food. And so I'm like, yeah, I can do this. Um, and so he's like, all right, well, I need you to talk to a five guys real quick. Um, and I'm like, okay, are they in trouble? And he goes, no, they're not in trouble.
Speaker 3 00:17:00 So they're walking up and I'm putting away my laptop and everything. And I grabbed them each a hat, throw them some key chains and stuff. I was like, Hey guys, thanks for being here. And as I'm putting my laptop into my backpack, I hear the patriotic go. I hope you all enjoy today's message from mg. I want you to take it to heart. There's no reason that we lost an employee a couple months ago. Oh geez. Oh, wow. Right. And so I did not follow up with any questions. So today to this day, I don't know if they means that someone died. I don't know if someone got hurt somebody. They can't come back to work. I don't know someone who got caught being stupid and got fired on the spot. I don't know. Right. I'm hoping for the last one. Right. But I'll never know.
Speaker 3 00:17:47 But in my mind, I'm like, if my message can make everybody just remember be safe, all the other stuff where I talked about my member companies and their utilities or how I need to wash my hair or how somebody needs to call nine 11, those are all important. But nothing is more important than the life of a construction worker or anybody doing digging around those utilities. And that's why we do what we do. Um, that's my mission for this year. Um, I think I'm getting better at getting the message out, but now when a humanize I message, Hey, I figured out podcasts. I figured out webinars. I figured out PowerPoint. Now I need to just keep reminding you, Hey, there's, there's lives out there that are working.
Speaker 2 00:18:29 Uh, you're doing well at it mg right there. If that, if that didn't convince you, if that's not the teaser that we pull out, Jimmy, then we're doing, doing it wrong. That was fast. I M G we finished the show every time with one question. If you're a listener or viewer, you would seen it. So you probably cheated, but we won't talk about that because this is, there's a high level of Antech integrity between these three individuals. But if you did, you may be prepped. So question is, um, empty. Do you love what you do?
Speaker 3 00:19:10 Absolutely. Um, it ties into the story I just shared, but every day when I get to throw on the shirt and I get to explain the, what we do as a company, uh, not only on the sending out locate requests and not only in getting that aspect taken care of, but I get to go and save lives. I get excited about that. And, um, I just look for better ways to do it each day. Um, and the last year I've grown my networking to work with other liaisons and other States I've, um, really want to be a big factor in the industry, um, so that we can all figure out how to do this the best and most efficient way. And, um, it just, like I said, 10 years ago wouldn't have thought of this, but now I can't imagine not doing it
Speaker 1 00:19:54 Well. It, it shows I have to tell you, you, uh, it, it just pours out of you the, uh, passion that you have for it. Um, we cannot thank you enough for joining us today. It's been an absolute fun event, you know, pleasure on a few things, and I'll tell you what, if we've touched one person out in the industry to think twice before they do something it's a tremendous success. So, you know, again on behalf of James and I, we thank you greatly for joining us today. We encourage all of our viewers and listeners to go to the <inaudible> dot org website and explore it. See what's there. See some of the webinars, see some, or listen to some of the pie cast, see James, I'm getting it. There you go. Uh, connect with, uh, energy on social media, you know, hit that connect button, him, all those types of good things. So anything else before we sign off mg you're good or any final words?
Speaker 3 00:20:55 Um, only thing I would throw out there is if anybody else wants to connect with me, maybe you're not in Oklahoma. Maybe you're just looking for other ways to help your damage prevention. Um, whether you're a contractor or another one call center, my email is easy. I'm not going to make you struggle on my last name. Um, so we just made it easy education at one, one.org. Shoot me an email. I'll be happy to reach out to you and connect with you because we're all in this together. Um, we want to save as many lives as we can.
Speaker 1 00:21:24 That's commitment, throwing your email out there like that. That's awesome. I won't do that well. Okay.
Speaker 2 00:21:30 Brace your inbox, empty inbox. I'm looking forward to it. It really was a blast, uh, sharing with you. I feel like, you know, we would be doing the industry a disservice if we didn't come back to more often. And so I'm excited to, um, you know, for that possibility in the future as well. So thanks for coming on.
Speaker 3 00:21:50 I ain't no problem guys looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 00:21:53 Thank you. And then to our audience, thank you for always joining us until next week and coffee with Jim and James, please. Everybody stay safe. Take care.
Speaker 0 00:22:01 Yeah.
