Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Other Education
Leadership And Project Management Qualities
Timeline
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CHRISTOPHER VELA

Richmond,TX

Summary

-Experienced Project Management and HSE Professional-Driven leader actively pursuing an executive opportunity in HSE management where strategic vision, decisive management style, and expertise in industrial safety, regulatory compliance, and team leadership will be held at a premium. - Results-Focused Leader with experience leading the execution of HSE assessments focusing on environmental remediation, regulatory compliance, and HSE performance management for Fortune 500 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. - Effective Communicator with the ability to build and lead HSE training programs customized to align with all roles, from production personnel to executives.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Lead Workforce Safety Specialist 2-MCBU-Delaware Basin

Chevron
06.2022 - 06.2025
  • -Strengthen safeguards and support high-risk work through executing and documenting MCBU field verification engagements, improving and delivering CoW related training, transitioning to IOGP industry-wide Start Work Checks, and strengthening OE Culture by improving Stop Work Authority knowledge and issuance.
  • -Coordinate and facilitate stakeholder / business partner safety meetings. Develop an agenda, identify topics, and deliver the message to align with MCBU process and procedures.
  • -Use my safety expertise in Chevron CoW requirements and OSHA regulations to merge with how operations perform day-to-day activities to facilitate IFO.
  • -Improve Business Partner OE Fluency & Competency by investing in business partner workforce competency and accountability by setting clear HSE expectations to drive assurance and sustainability for high-risk work activities.
  • -Led the alignment with operations surrounding excavation contractors personal making entry into an excavation with no competent person on-site nor signing off on an excavation checklist prior to making entry.
  • -Worked with operations to onboard Business Partners in material transfer, COEM requirements, Delaware Basin Emergency actions plan, HOP, and answering all business partners HSE questions.
  • -Developed and delivered the Exclusion Zone requirements per the pressure pumping standard and PMCoW requirements for high-risk work for the subsurface team and contractors.
  • -Developed and delivered excavation permit training to the operations team for Texas and New Mexico to align with CoW and OSHA regulations.
  • -Completed Chevron Operator assessment and demo to improve operational knowledge of assets to improve fluency in SIF prevention.

Field Project Manager/HES Field Specialist-CEMREC

Chevron
02.2019 - 02.2022
  • -Built Chevron, Business Partner, and Subcontractor Fluency around Chevron MSW, Start Work Checks, SYLA, process, and procedures.
  • -Executed V&V coaching responsibilities by completing V&V engagements and utilizing the Enterprise V&V Data Management Tool.
  • -Led the Marine Assurance Inspection of Boh's Ringer Crane Barge, which allowed me to be approved by Marine Assurance to perform future inspections on the material barge, tugboat, and rescue vessel.
  • -Worked with Chevron's Marine Assurance Process Authority Advisor to ensure Boh Bros and Oil Mop were approved for work through the Marine Assurance Database (OVIS).
  • -Facilitated 3 season worth of safety lookbacks with the Oak Point Project to identify trends that can be utilized as a focal point for future seasons.
  • -Identified cost savings over a 3-year period totaling 4 million dollars for the Oak Point Project.
  • -Facilitated the onboarding of Boh Bros, ENTACT, and Oil Mop per CHESM, MSW, and HES expectations through the deployment of PMCoW, HOP, Marine Assurance, and as a contract owner.
  • -During the off-season and COVID Pandemic I worked with our Cost Analyst to review cost projections, facilitated engineering design virtual meetings, facilitated a virtual PCN review with the CEMREC and Corporate Cyber Security team, and facilitated a virtual meeting with CEMREC and Chevron Corporates Essential Suites Advisors.
  • -Worked directly with Boh and ENTACT to develop the first CEMREC COVID RTW plan for Oak Point.
  • -Facilitated and participated in 3 RCA for a potential (3b) Incident Investigation for an electrical shock incident, man falling from a ladder, and man overboard.
  • -Digital Capabilities
  • -Deployed and trained in the use of E-permit work.
  • -Utilize and tested available technology to conduct MSW verifications and ground penetrating radar to map underground utilities.
  • -Utilized HoloLens to work with Oak Point Management Team and execute CMERECs Corporate OE Assurance Audit.

HES Field Specialist

Chevron
09.2013 - 02.2019
  • Company Overview: Chevron Environmental Management Company
  • Leads vision, strategy, and execution for risk management, assessments, and due diligence issues at this leader in global environmental management, remediation, reclamation and asset retirement, with a focus on working with internal stakeholders to address HSE liabilities in Chevron Refining Business Unit projects.
  • -Leads site visits, BBS observations, and JSAs, identifying areas of potential concern and providing feedback and recommendations to project teams to foster an environment of safety and compliance.
  • -Serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, providing guidance and direction to project managers and construction representatives to drive improvements in efficiency, OE performance, safety, and hazard analysis.
  • -Collaborates with site project leaders to identify and allocate resources to manage risks that include industrial hygiene issues, contaminant sampling, and the selection, use, and ongoing maintenance of the appropriate equipment for each job; performs initial pre-planning assessments of site hazards to arrive at a recommendation of proper risk management.
  • -Coordinates and leads OE process training and implementation with Chevron business partners, meeting monthly to review and discuss executed and planned process changes and brainstorm solutions to ongoing issues and develop best practices and lessons learned.
  • -Outstanding and exceptional results in safety, with zero lost time incidents in 2014.
  • -Chevron HES/OE Representative during the remediation project of the former Texaco terminal in Bayonne, NJ. Responsibilities included the assurance that Chevron's OE processes were complied with, OSHA and EPA guidelines were adhered to, facilitating overall safety stewardship activities, accumulation of daily activity logs, and photographic documentation. I was also instrumental in onboarding a new remedial contractor on all of Chevron's processes, procedures, and managing safe work practices.
  • Chevron Environmental Management Company

Project Scientist

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, (CRA)
01.2002 - 01.2013
  • -I fulfilled a critical role in cultivating an environment of safety and compliance culture and managing various projects that were essential to CRA business plan.
  • -Collaborated extensively with the site O&M organization to develop and deploy strategies to achieve and sustain compliance with a complex landscape of government and industry regulatory requirements.
  • -Instrumental in ensuring ongoing contractor and sub-contractor compliance with environmental and OSHA regulations.
  • -Chevron HES/OE Representative during the remediation project of the former Texaco terminal in Bayonne, NJ. Responsibilities included the assurance that Chevron's OE process were followed, OSHA and EPA guidelines were adhered to, facilitating overall safety stewardship activities, accumulation of daily activity logs, and photographic documentation. I was also instrumental in onboarding a new remedial contractor on all of Chevron's processes, procedures, and managing safe work practices.
  • -Chevron Operational Excellence Safety Coordinator during the demolition of the Ortho Pesticides Facility in South Plainfield, NJ. Responsibilities included the assurance that Chevron's OE process were followed, OSHA and EPA guidelines were adhered to, facilitating overall safety stewardship activities, accumulation of daily activity logs, and photographic documentation.
  • -Health and Safety Officer for a construction project in Hutchinson, Kansas that involved the implementation of CRA's behavior base safety program throughout the entire site, overseeing 5 subcontractors and 70 employees, and ensuring all safety guidelines were followed according to the OSHA standards along with our client's safety procedures.
  • -Field Project Manager and coordinator for railway and pipeline release emergency response and remediation activities, delineation of hydrocarbon impacted soils, soil and groundwater sampling, media characterization, and large-scale excavations.
  • -Recently, it has provided sampling services for sensitive spill sites, including creek drainage surface water, sediment, and near surface soils for ecological risk evaluation.
  • -Regularly interacts with major oil and pipeline companies for remedial efforts due to spills or historical hydrocarbon impacts, including subcontractor oversight, field screening, heavy yellow iron deployment, water and free product recovery, and Health and Safety coordination.
  • -Field Project Manager for a demolition of a former tank storage facility in Crossville, Illinois. The demolition included concrete breaking, pipe removal, and excavation of impacted material. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight, implementation of Chevron OE processes, collection of soils for analytical testing and waste classification, and the documentation of daily activity and photographic logs.
  • -Construction Manager for the assessment and remediation/closure of crude oil impacted soil/water from two pipeline releases along both a two-mile section of perennial stream, and along an intermittent drainage in East Texas. Management activities included interaction with clients, third party landowners, EPA, NRTP, RRC and TNRCC. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight, soil sampling and confirmation sampling, limited excavation activities, as well as, subsurface delineation and installation of groundwater monitoring wells, for surface soil, subsurface soil, surface water, groundwater and sediments. Special detailed work included GPS and physically documented receptor survey.
  • -Field Project Manager for the emergency response to a 1,500 bbls pipeline release of crude oil to a perennial stream in central Oklahoma. This involved the interaction and field supervision of multiple subcontractors, the collection of soils for analytical testing and waste classification, and the accumulation of daily activity logs and photographic documentation.
  • -Construction Manager for the excavation of approximately 14,000 yards of crude oil impacted soils at a pipeline release site. Sited and constructed 10-acre landfarm cell graded to holding pond for containment of stormwater. Transported the excavated soils via off-road dump trucks for disposition into the landfarm cell and performed subsequent remediation of excavated soils to TRRP Tier 1 Residential Standards. Returned remediated soils to original excavations for backfill. Contoured landfarm area back to original grade and hydro mulched. Restored 6.2 miles of gravel topped and rolled ranch roads on site.
  • -Construction Manager for the landfill construction and placement of sulfur impacted soils. Approximately 90,000 yards of sulfur-impacted soil were moved and placed in the landfill. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight, implementation of Chevron OE processes, and the documentation of daily activity and photographic logs.
  • -Construction Manager for the construction of a 500-rail car storage facility. The construction included 11 miles of railroad track, 15 right- and left-hand turnouts, and switches. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight, implementation of CRA's behavior base safety program, QA/QC measures on engineering specifications, daily activity, and photographic documentation.
  • -Field Project Manager for the excavation of approximately 150,000 yards of crude oil impacted soils at a former storage tank facility. Sited and constructed a 30-acre landfarm cell to be utilized for remedial activities. Excavated and transported soils via off-road dump trucks for deposition into the landfarm cell and performed subsequent remediation of excavated soils to TRRP Tier 1 Residential Standards. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight, implementation of CRA's behavior base safety program, daily activity, and photographic documentation.
  • -Field Project Manager for pit excavation and hauling off excavated material to an approved landfill. This project involved the interaction and field supervision of multiple subcontractors, the collection of soils for analytical testing and waste classification, and the accumulation of daily activity logs and photographic documentation.
  • -Field Project Manager for pipeline tapping activities in North Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, & Louisiana. Responsibilities included health and safety oversight of subcontractors, pipe wrap sampling for asbestos, sampling of liquid pipe contents, and daily activity and photographic documentation.
  • -Construction Manager for the emergency response and remediation of an 8,000 bbls crude pipeline release in southwest Oklahoma. This involved the coordination and field supervision of multiple subcontractors to facilitate the removal of crude oil spilled on over six miles of a perennial stream and the excavation and landfarming of approximately 11,000 cubic yards of impacted soils. Additionally, supervised the site grading and reclamation of the project area. Upon completion of response and remediation activities, compiled, wrote and submitted necessary reports for closure of the site under Oklahoma Corporation Commission Guidelines.

Education

B.S. - B.A.

University of Phoenix
Houston, TX
01.2005

Associate of Science - EH&S

Texas State Technical School
Waco, TX
01.2001

Skills

Complex HSE Project Management
Corporate Responsibility
Environmental Engineering
Process Training and Implementation
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
Organizing Highly Complex Information
Hazard and Risk Assessment
Continuous Process Improvement
Creating a Culture of Safety
Leading Audit and Risk Assurance Programs
Leading HSE Worker Education
Maintaining Industry Best Practices

Other Education

  • TEEX CSHO Certification
  • Incident Investigation & Reporting Facilitator (RCA, 5 why)
  • Learning Team Facilitator
  • Chevron Level 3 Auditor
  • Lean Sigma White Belt Training
  • Emergency Management Responder
  • Chevron Operator Assessment & DEMO Training
  • Chevron Crane Assurance Training
  • Chevron Marine Assurance Training
  • Chevron Operational Excellence Management System Certification
  • Chevron Champion Coaching and Leadership Program
  • Safeland Training
  • Inland Oil Spill Response & Safety Training
  • OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training Course
  • OSHA 8-Hour Hazardous Material and Safety Refresher Courses
  • 29 CFR 1926.50 - First Aid and CPR Training
  • 29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment Training
  • API-RP 49 - Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training
  • Loss Prevention System (LPS) Training
  • 24-Hour Asbestos Inspector Training
  • Competent Person Training (Excavation)

Leadership And Project Management Qualities

  • Complex HSE Project Management
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Process Training and Implementation
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Organizing Highly Complex Information
  • Hazard and Risk Assessment
  • Continuous Process Improvement
  • Creating a Culture of Safety
  • Leading Audit and Risk Assurance Programs
  • Leading HSE Worker Education
  • Maintaining Industry Best Practices

Timeline

Lead Workforce Safety Specialist 2-MCBU-Delaware Basin

Chevron
06.2022 - 06.2025

Field Project Manager/HES Field Specialist-CEMREC

Chevron
02.2019 - 02.2022

HES Field Specialist

Chevron
09.2013 - 02.2019

Project Scientist

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, (CRA)
01.2002 - 01.2013

B.S. - B.A.

University of Phoenix

Associate of Science - EH&S

Texas State Technical School

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