Blane Hotchkiss
Spearfish,SD
Summary
Seasoned Consultant with background in developing and implementing successful business strategies. Strong track record in identifying opportunities for operational improvement, driving efficiency, and facilitating change management initiatives. Demonstrated skills in project management, strategic planning and team leadership. Significant contributions made to enhance organizational growth and profitability in previous roles.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Ranch Consultant
Frederickson Ranch/Orchard Ranch
Spearfish, SD
05.2023 - Current
- Assist and manage general ranch tasks
- Evaluate existing systems and processes against industry best practices to enhance efficiency
- Review existing policies and procedures to suggest necessary improvements
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously ensuring timely completion within budget constraints
- Implement strategies to take advantage of new opportunities
- Administer vaccines and other animal health products as needed
- Coordinate with veterinarians if necessary to provide appropriate care and treatment for sick or injured animals
- Organize events such as branding, rotational grazing cattle, and other livestock activities
- Implement sustainable practices for resource conservation such as soil erosion control or water conservation techniques
- Chemical applications, weed control, and production techniques
- Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, performing necessary maintenance work
Construction Project Manager
Riley Homes LLC
Spearfish, SD
- Provided technical guidance to on-site personnel including laborers and supervisors
- Prepared reports detailing progress updates and reviewed architectural plans
- Developed and implemented project plans, budgets, and schedules
- Analyzed cost estimates to determine if they are within budget constraints
- Managed multiple teams working on different aspects of a single project
- Advised clients on innovative ways to reduce overall costs while maintaining quality standards
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders
- Organized subcontractors to ensure timely completion of projects
- Maintained detailed records of all costs associated with each project
- Ensured compliance with local building codes and safety regulations
- Coordinated with architects, engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and other specialists
- Resolved conflicts between various parties involved in the construction process
- Monitored the progress of construction projects providing quality control
- Conducted meetings with clients to discuss progress reports and design changes
Ranch Manager
Mountain View Ranches LLC
Sturgis, SD
- Managed all operations of personnel and cattle on 6,000+ acres
- Management and administration of vaccines, calving, and health supplements for cattle
- Management of hay production of both round and square bales
- Equipment service and maintenance
- Developed marketing strategies and promote products from the ranch in local markets and other states
- Identified, hired, and trained personnel to carry out daily operations on the ranch
- Managed financial aspects of the ranch including budgeting, forecasting revenue and expenses
- Development and maintenance of existing infrastructure and fencing
Service Manager
Patriot Drilling Fluids
Pittsburgh, PA
- Performed root cause analysis on recurring problems encountered by customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
- Created standard operating procedures for all service functions.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms.
- Oversight and setup of new drilling operations
- Troubleshooting equipment and personnel issues
- 24/hr on call for recommendations and service
- Created employee work schedules to keep shifts properly staffed.
- Updated and maintained service records and documentation for compliance and quality assurance.
- Coordinated with sales and marketing teams to develop service offers and promotions.
- Pitched in to complete various duties during peak periods or employee absences.
- Established and enforced safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
Solids Control Consultant
Ptarmigan Services
New England, ND
- Management and assistance with contracted companies for drilling operations and disposals
- Consulting management in North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado
- Management of Projects, Personnel, and Finances
- Management and creator of Material Safety Data Sheets, Well Reports, Maintenance Reports, and JSAs of all personnel of Ptarmigan and associated contractor projects
- Equipment rentals, operation, and maintenance including: centrifuges, pumps, loaders, extend-a-booms, super mills, dewatering units, vertical dryers, rig and drying shakers, generators
- New equipment design and production
- New sales and new product development
- Mixing of drilling chemicals and lubricants
- Taking of fluid weights, viscosity, and retort
- Equipment and product logistics
- Use of company pickup and trailers
Drilling Floorman
Helmerich & Payne Drilling
Dickinson, ND
- Assisted drilling operations in Bakken and Three Forks Shale
- Took mud weights and viscosity of drilling fluids
- Mixed chemicals such as slide, lime, bar
- Maintained all rig equipment
- Assistance with assembly, disassembly, and installment of MWD tools and motors
- Tallying and record keeping of drill pipe
- Working of board racking back and latching up drill pipe
- Performed rig floor maintenance, joint lubrication, and connections replacement.
- Lined up and bled down pressure from lines, valves and equipment to maintain proper functionality.
- Inspected work areas for potential hazards, reporting any issues to supervisors in a timely manner.
Service Technician
NOV/Brandt
Ray, ND
- Overseeing Solid and Fluid Control in Bakken and Three Forks Shale
- Mixing and use of calcium nitrate, fly-ash, Magnafloc polymer and Alcomer polymer
- De-watering and regulation of brine and fresh water, aInvert Mud
- Operation, maintenance and service assistance on all types of centrifuges, pumps, shakers, vertical dryers etc
- Installed and service of 3-phase and single phase electrical systems
- Supervised and trained employees
- Identified potential problems during routine inspections in order to prevent future breakdowns.
- Maintained and created service reports, mud reports, JSA’s, MSDS
- Responded quickly to emergency calls from clients and employees
- Provided technical support to customers and employees over the phone
- Collaborated with team members to complete projects efficiently and effectively.
- Use of company vehicle
Service Manager
Big West Oilfield Services
Troy, PA
- Oversaw construction of Well Site Containment, Environmental Management, Rentals, and Roustabout in Marcellus Shale
- Employee supervision and training
- Company billing and record keeping
- On call 24/7 Environmental Emergency Service
- Location and cement truck containment
- Generator and light tower, and rig mat rentals
- Equipment service and operation
- Use of Company Vehicle
Education
High School -
Newell High School
Newell01-2010
Skills
- Project management
- Contract negotiation
- Safety compliance
- Computer proficiency
- Data analysis
- Team leadership
- Customer relationship management
- Problem resolution
- Employee training
- Strategic planning
- Operation and maintenance of all types of heavy equipment
References
Glen Citrowske(Owner/CEO GTI Construction) 605-641-7645
Troy Jones(Drilling Fluid Consultant) 601-506-4516
Nate Frederickson(Owner Frederickson Ranch) 605-254-4872
Matt Peters(Owner/CEO Screen Tech International) 918-694-2513
Adam Dorr(Company Man Conoco/Phillips - North Slope Division) 208-659-0888
Ron Sanchez(Service Manager NOV/Brandt) 307-760-6597
David Ollila(SDSU Extension Specialists) 605-394-1722
Accomplishments and Training
- Member/Worship Team, Countryside Church
- Real Estate School, South Dakota License
- Independent Record, County Q Productions, Nashville, TN
- Well Site Orientation/Safety Training: Talisman, Conoco/Phillips, Marathon, Hess, EOG, Ultra, Hunt, Liberty, XTO, Continental, Enerplus, Crescent Point, Chesapeake, Alta/Williams, OXY, RICE
- Safety Management Systems Training (4 Day Course), Ray, ND
- NOV/Brandt Safety Orientation/Forklift Certification, Ray, ND
- ConocoPhillips, Marathon, and Hess HSE Development Training, North Dakota
- Helmerich & Payne Personal Development Center Training, Houston, TX
Timeline
Ranch Consultant
Frederickson Ranch/Orchard Ranch
05.2023 - Current
Solids Control Consultant
Ptarmigan Services
Drilling Floorman
Helmerich & Payne Drilling
Service Technician
NOV/Brandt
Service Manager
Big West Oilfield Services
Construction Project Manager
Riley Homes LLC
Ranch Manager
Mountain View Ranches LLC
Service Manager
Patriot Drilling Fluids
High School -
Newell High School