Jasper 3 rd QTR 2021 2ND
Journal
BECOMING JASPER VENTURES A LOOK BACK BUILT TO LAST: FINDING ETERNAL VALUE
Jasper Ventures
The Jasper Journal is a quarterly publication of Jasper Ventures, Inc.
Communicating, celebrating and engaging the people of Jasper Ventures, our clients and communities.
JA SPE R V E N T U R E S I N C .
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
101 Glenda St. Whitehouse, TX 75791 903-939-1555
Maureen Kaiser Elissa Thompson
JA SPE R J O U R N A L E D I TO R I A L A DV I S O R Y B OA R D
André Cummings Jimmy Forgy Carrie-Ann Jasper-Yearty Liz Low James McCarty Jim Newberg Joshua VanBuskirk Melissa Winebarger G R A PH I C D E SI G N A R T I S T S
BW Design Cover photo by Paul Garcia, Vulcan Field Construction
TABLE of CONTENTS
3 VALUES AWARD WINNERS
8 HYDRO TESTING
13 DRIVEN FOR SUCCESS
5 BUSINESS UPDATE
9 SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS
16 JV FAMILY EVENTS
7 BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS
11 BECOMING JV: A LOOK BACK
17 BUILT TO LAST
SECOND QUARTER
VALUES AWARD WINNERS NOMINATE YOUR CO-WORKERS!
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JOEY POPE | Overall
JOSE GUADALUPE GAMEZ MARTINEZ | Excellence
NELSON GUERRA | Responsiveness
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THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT BY KENNY CANTRELL,
Vice President of Operations
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s we enter the fourth quarter of 2021, we have witnessed a great amount of activity in the industry these past several months. With the WTI (West Texas Intermediate) Crude seeing prices as high as $74.10 and Natural Gas Spot Price at Henry Hub reaching $3.84, the future looks very promising for a rebound in our industry starting in the fourth quarter of 2021 and continuing deep into 2022/2023. Regarding future projects, we are waiting for several high percentage opportunities to be awarded which include (2) 200 MMSCFD Cryo Facilities and the associated BOP (Balance of Plant) Equipment. This would include refrigeration, mole sieve dehydration, stabilizers, treaters, TEG dehydration, slug catchers, compression and flare
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systems. We have also been spending time researching renewable energy and carbon capturing. This would open the doors to new opportunities and allow us to diversify and work in new industry spaces. I truly believe that the future looks promising for Jasper Ventures. We now have a dedicated team focused on the pursuit of projects that will catapult Jasper Ventures into the future. We rely on each of you to make sure we are providing the best product to our clients on schedule and under budget. It takes everyone in this company doing their jobs to the best of their abilities to keep our customers satisfied and make Jasper Ventures the premier place to work in our industry and beyond. I look forward to what God has in store for the future of Jasper Ventures.
MEET BRYAN HODGES Coming from sales positions with various valve manufacturers, Bryan Hodges had already interacted with Jasper Ventures for years. Those positive, longstanding relationships lead to one door opening after another and Bryan joined the Jasper Ventures team as Business Development Manager at the end of July. Bryan says he was ready for something new, and it was not a difficult decision, as he knew he was already a fit for the culture of Jasper Ventures. Business development is often associated with sales, which is a big part of it. It also entails understanding current activities in the industry, which allows a company to forecast future activity and prepare for what is ahead. This is critical in a cyclical industry like oil and gas. It allows a company like ours to pursue business that is more profitable and stable. Bryan foresees that industry-wide, there is an upswing coming. “The way I go about doing things, I’m thinking about the future, which doesn’t always seem to make sense to everybody,” he said. “The ultimate goal for myself each morning when I start the day is to create a stable environment and try to protect everyone’s job.” It is a goal Bryan embraces through his professionalism and hard work. Bryan and his wife, Claire, have two sons: George, 6 and Fred, 4.
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BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS Assembly Pipe Fabricator
We all know heading back to school for a new school year can bring hesitation and anxiety to all families. Restructuring your family routine isn’t always easy after summer, but below are a few tips:
ERICA CUMMINGS
• Place
BY ANDRE CUMMINGS
Educator
all electronic devices in an area such as the kitchen an hour before bed (and leave them there for the remainder of the evening). We all know we can become distracted by texts, social media, etc. This will allow for uninterrupted sleep and rest.
this year and most families have removed at-home learning stations. Though we all would like to permanently remove these, unfortunately, they are helpful. (But at least you’re not having to teach them anymore… hooray!) • If
• Have
your kids lay out all outfits for the week. The less they have to think about during that week, or any school week for that matter, the better. Shoe organizers that hang in closets provide a great way to store each outfit.
• Set
up a homework spot within your home. Schools will be going back to in-person learning
there’s any energy left after the preceding preparation, meal prep as much as possible. Though some enjoy cooking, most of us do not want to go home and cook, much less plan what to cook. This will allow for time with your family during the evenings so you can share your day, run them to practice or do absolutely nothing.
Lastly, enjoy these times. Though they may be stressful, all our kids are getting older and it goes by quickly. So, with all the stress that back to school brings, try and enjoy it. Laugh when you can, smile often and love on your family.
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HYDRO TESTING UP AND RUNNING JV’s hydro testing process assures that every pipe fabricated at the Veritas shop will hold when the plant is running, giving our clients confidence about the quality of our work. Performing the tests in the Troup shop as opposed to the field saves time and money. In the assembly department, the hydro crew connects multiple pieces pipes with the same flange rating, then fills them with water utilizing a pressure gauge, pressure chart, pressure pump and temperature reader to test the finished piece of pipe. The most common test maintains pressure for one hour, but sometimes specifications call for up to four hours. The smaller the pipe, the smaller the volume of liquid, and the more the climate can affect the test. Clouds covering the sun for five minutes can drop the temperature enough that it negates the test. Hydro testing is detailed, tedious and dangerous if you do not have the expertise to conduct the tests. Thankfully, the JV crew follows all safety protocols and performs with excellence.
401K CONTRIBUTIONS Now is the time to save. Whether you are 20 years old with your whole life ahead of you or have plans to retire in the next few years, it is never too late. With the uncertainty of today’s markets and social security’s future, choosing to save now can make a huge impact. The difference in saving $500/month at 20 years old versus 40 can be the difference between retiring with over $1 million or with $340,000.* You don’t have to start at such a high amount, but even starting small early can be impactful. *Based on 5% rate of return
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SEEING GOD’S STUFFING BACKPACKS TO AID AREA CHILDREN In July JV employees had the opportunity to put together backpacks containing hygiene packs and school supplies for the annual Whitehouse Back-to-School Health Fair. Nearly 700 students received free backpacks as part of the annual event.
UPDATE ON JOB 434 PREAKNESS STABILIZER BY DAVID JACOBS, Project Engineer
The Preakness stabilizer job is well underway, both in our shop and in the field. Design is complete and the shop is actively fabricating any remaining pipe. We mobilized to the field at the beginning of July and the foundation work on everything but miscellaneous foundations has been completed. Modules have been set and pipe is being installed around the site. The electrical MCC building and transformer have both been set, and EPIC is making excellent progress on the remainder of the I&E install. Most of the lines have been heat traced and insulated, and our automation team is planning for their controls commissioning at the end of September. With only a little over a month left in field construction, we are looking good to finish this job well.
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S GOODNESS LENDING A HELPING HAND TO THE CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER JV employees in Whitehouse brought their scissors to lunch in late June to help the Children’s Advocacy Center. As part of an annual fundraiser, the CAC needs hundreds of paper hands, each one traced by a child who came to the CAC for help and healing after suffering abuse. The numbers on the hand represent the age of the child. JV employees cut out more than 600 hands to help prepare for the event.
EMPLOYEES ASSIST ELDERLY WOMAN JV employees teamed up with the Texas Ramp Project to build a wheelchair ramp for a low-income senior citizen as part of the Day of Caring, hosted annually in June by the United Way. Team members include from left to right (in finished ramp pic) of the front row: Bonnie Fredenburg, Alicia Cochran, Jeff Gilliland, Andy Norman; on ramp (left to right): Michael Shaddox, Wade Simpson, Wilian Sandoval, the ramp recipient with Maureen Kaiser behind her, James McCarty, Joshua VanBuskirk and Nathan Keown.
PINE COVE CHANGES LIVES The children of two JV employees received Pine Cove camp scholarships. The daughters of both Kelly Cooper (Piping Design) and Chuck McDonald (I&E) each enjoyed an amazing and impactful week filled with fun, building new relationships and learning about Jesus Christ.
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BECOMING JASPER VENTURES, A LOOK BACK BY CARRIE-ANN JASPER-YEARTY, Vice President of People
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asper Ventures celebrated its 29th year in business, but for the first 24 years the company was known by a different name: Engineering, Procurement & Construction, or EPC, Inc. Being in business almost 30 years is no minor feat for a small, privately owned business, especially in the oil and gas industry, but when Jon Jasper founded this company, it was fueled by faith and a humble dependence on the Lord. He knew he could deliver quality solutions in a way that was unique. He stepped out of a comfortable position at another company with a vision to build what is now Jasper Ventures. In some ways 2016 was much like what we are seeing now. When we were in the process of becoming Jasper Ventures, we had endured a challenging 18 months within our industry. It was an extremely slow time, which provided us with bandwidth to be able to make the
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necessary changes to better position our company for the future. Just as was done in 1992, our company was dedicated to the Lord, and we have continued to build this business on a firm foundation with God as the owner and with us as stewards. It was one of the main reasons we changed the value of ownership to stewardship in 2020 – we are faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to us. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” We do not own anything. When Brent was hired in February 2016, he set out to identify solutions which better positioned our company from a risk, tax and organizational perspective to allow us to remain strong and competitive. There was a lot of work behind the scenes with family, managers, and outside financial and legal consultants, but we knew the effort would better position the company for the future.
So, what did we accomplish by making this big change five years ago? • • • • • • •
We expanded into new lines of business, most notably, Vanguard Processing Solutions. We rebranded our companies using the highly regarded Jasper name. We developed values, as well as mission and vision statements. We prepared our company for future growth and opportunities. We provided work for more people than ever before. We started sharing profits with every employee. We increased our focus on bringing God’s Kingdom into the workplace.
We have learned a lot over the last five years, through successes and failures. We learned that employees appreciate being loved and cared for, that quarterly meetings are a great way to engage with our employees, and that sharing profits is fun and motivating for everyone. We also discovered how hard it is to let employees go during a pandemic, that quarterly meetings are not as enjoyable when we do not share profits, and that our employees are resilient even during the most difficult situations. Through it all, God has remained faithful, and we know He has a plan for this company and for each of us.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
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DRIVEN FOR SUCCESS BY MAUREEN KAISER, Cultural Engagement Specialist
At Jasper, we love to see our people striving to reach their full potential, expanding their skill sets and stewarding the amazing gifts and talents God has given them.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND LEARN SOMETHING NEW? “It starts out with drive. You’ve got to want to grow,” says Jeremy Carrizales, a JV Piping Designer who began as a pipe fitter and is now in school for drafting. “You’ve got to want to grow. You can’t expect it because no one is going to hand it to you,” says Veritas Parts Cutter Chase Carlile, who is going back to school this fall for a degree in Industrial Technology. WHERE DOES THIS DRIVE COME FROM? Adam Glover, Proposal Coordinator, was working in drafting when he was invited to take a leadership development course, which changed his trajectory. “That class was the first time I thought about things from a leaders’ perspective, not just an employee perspective,” Adam remembers. It motivated him to return to school and sacrifice many evenings and weekends for a bachelor’s degree. He became the first employee to utilize tuition reimbursement. Jimmy Forgy, Coatings Superintendent who recently achieved the highest National Association of Coatings Experts (NACE) certification available, says his spirituality has been key to his growth. “I’ve grown up more since coming to work here than I did in my first 45 years.” WHERE TO START? “Have a real conversation with your supervisor and remember, your actions speak louder than words. You have to put forth the effort to show your work ability,” says Chase. “Go learn from other guys if you want to learn something new,” Jimmy advises. “They’ll give you the chance if you’re serious. Be diligent at your job and take on extra assignments when you can. Put forth the effort to step forward into what you are trying to do.”
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The Impact of Working for a Company That Goes Beyond Business When I interviewed at JV it was my first interview in more than 18 years. I had no idea what to expect and I had never heard of Kingdom at Work or a Christ-centered company. We didn’t talk about religion where I previously worked. I was puzzled and honestly, a bit scared. My thoughts were, I’m a Christian. I know right from wrong. I pray, BUT I can’t quote scripture so there is no way I can live up to this. I called my friend and told her my fears and she said something so simple to me: “Liz, if they are true Christians, you have nothing to worry about.” She was right.
I struggled to learn my job duties and with being in a new place, but little things would happen each day that lifted me up and pulled me through. I would see a sweet note or plaque that says, “You are good enough. You are loved.” I would receive an email with enlightening Scripture. Often I would be moved by a prayer I heard in a meeting or by a personalized prayer card I received unexpectedly. Other times it would be a simple hello from a happy and joyful co-worker. All these things may seem like small things to some people, but they were huge to me and they made an impact.
Having endured two significant BY LIZ LOW, The desire the Jasper family has losses only months before Executive Assistant for their employees to reach their coming to Jasper, my faith was God-given potential, coupled suppressed to say the least. I only had the with their compassion and the resources energy to pray two prayers each day. One they provide us daily, is priceless. I can was that I would wake up the next morning, say with much certainty that if I had taken because I truly believed the pain was going another job, my faith would very likely still to kill me, and the other was that I would be be suppressed today. JV gave me so much graceful throughout the day, because I felt more than a job; the job was just a bonus. like my anger could easily cause me to act in Jasper Ventures made an eternal impact on a not-so-great way. me, and for that I will be forever grateful!
“All these things may seem like small things to some people, but they were huge to me and they made an impact.”
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JV FAMILY EVENTS
JASPER HELD ITS SECOND ANNUAL Troup vs. Whitehouse Cornhole Tournament. Competition was stiff, with an upset in Troup as team “Shock & Aw!” consisting of Chase Carlile and Aaron Brown beat reigning Troup champions Hector Archundia and Hector Archundia Sr. In Whitehouse, “The Corn Stars” Les Campbell and Kenny Cantrell cleanly made it to the final round. As the 2020 winners, they defeated “Shock & Aw!” to keep their championship title and donated all monies raised to the Employee Restoration Fund. Many thanks to George Starkey and Alyssa Carlile for putting together a great hamburger lunch and tournament.
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JASPER VENTURES HAD FOUR TEAMS compete in the annual Young Life Sporting Clays Shoot. Congrats to Jeremy Lightfoot on being the top shooter at the event.
JV “TRUE GRIT” TEAM NABBED OF SPELLING BEE TITLE Communications Specialist Elissa Thompson and Shawn Forgy, GM of Construction, represented Jasper Ventures at the Literacy Council of Tyler’s corporate Spelling Bee, which had a movie theme this year. Dressed to the hilt as characters from True Grit, they were sadly disqualified for running out of time when given the word unenforceable, which everyone learned the 20-second rule is anything but unenforceable (they definitely enforce it!). Thanks to all who participated in the virtual watch parties and online, as Jasper did take home the Virtual Spirit stick. Way to go!
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BUILT TO LAST by JAMES MCCARTY
Quality Control
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y God’s grace, Jasper Ventures has weathered many storms in the last 29 years. Like a small house built on the coast that has stood firm through floodwaters and hurricane-force winds, JV has proven that it has the foundation it takes to endure, to adapt, rebuild and refine. And by God’s grace, JV will stand for generations to come. But the Jasper family is not laboring under the notion that JV will last forever. No company will. Gas plants are not eternal. Neither are careers, salaries or the houses, toys and retirements that they can buy. Serving God’s kingdom (loving God and loving people) is the only work that endures for eternity and that is the core of what Jasper Ventures is about. BUILDING PEOPLE FOR GOD’S PURPOSE At the heart of JV is the gospel-driven value of people. There is no insignificant person—no one who is unimportant. From the executive assistant to the fabricator’s helper, their value is not rooted in what they do, but in who they are: eternal beings made in the image of God. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “There are no ordinary people. You
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have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” The enduring reality the Jaspers are building is people. People outlast both countries and companies and they are the eternal treasures for whom Christ died. And that is how the Jaspers aim to treat them. Whether the people are their employees, their clients or members of their local community, the Jaspers aim to serve them with all the love, generosity and humility of the Servant King of the universe; joyous to see His people grow into the “everlasting splendors” He created them to be. BUILDING PRODUCTS FOR GOD’S PURPOSE The other reality at the heart of Jasper is the gospel-driven value of our work. There is no insignificant job. What people do matters, from engineering to cleaning breakrooms. Sometimes we can feel that our jobs are too small or too secular to make any lasting impact for God’s kingdom. They are not.
“The lasting significance of what we are doing is rooted in who we are doing it for.”
REFLECTION
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men. … It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24b). The lasting significance of what we are doing is rooted in who we are doing it for. If we aim for our work to reflect all the excellence of the God we serve, then there is nothing small or secular about our efforts. Our work has become worship. And even “building worldclass gas processing solutions” is sacred – if we are building them for the King of glory, in humble dependance on His grace and with a joyful delight in His goodness. And that is what the Jaspers are doing. The Jaspers are not building their own kingdom. They are not building the sandcastles of personal profit and pride that will be washed away at the high tide of Christ’s return. They are “building people and products for God’s purpose” – for God’s glory, for a King and a kingdom, that is built to last.
Questions •
When you reflect on your life, what have you been building?
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How will your life have an eternal impact on those around you?
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How are you seeking to put God’s kingdom first in all that you do?
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Do you want or need to make any adjustments?
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In what ways are you seeking to grow into all that God has created you to be?
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Are you, or can you be, doing things to help others grow?
If you would like your answers to the questions to be added to the next Jasper Journal, email them to BB@jasperventuresinc.com.
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Jasper Ventures
GAS PROCESSING
FIELD CONSTRUCTION
PROCESSING SOLUTIONS
DEW POINT CONDITIONING
KINGDOM PURPOSE Building people and products for God’s purpose.
VISION Delivering solutions. Impacting lives.
MISSION Offering the oil and gas industry an unmatched service experience through world-class turnkey solutions.
INTEGRITY Behaving honorably, even when no one is watching.
SERVICE Considering others’ interests as more important than our own.
EXCELLENCE Doing our best work efficiently and safely and expecting the same from those around us.
RESPONSIVENESS Meeting needs and solving problems in a timely and professional manner.
INNOVATION Encouraging and applauding the exploration of new ideas and creative solutions.
Faithfully managing what God has entrusted to us.
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STEWARDSHIP
JASPER VENTURES INC. 101 Glenda St., Whitehouse, TX 75791 jasperventuresinc.com · 903-939-1555