Clinton Pernack
Tulsa
Summary
Strategic engineering and safety leader with 16+ years of experience in natural gas operations and pipeline safety management, with deep expertise in implementing and advancing Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS) in alignment with API RP 1173. Proven track record of leading engineering support teams, overseeing budgets, schedules, and project execution, and embedding safety culture into technical and operational processes. Skilled in conducting gap assessments, benchmarking PSMS maturity against industry peers, and delivering executive-level communications on performance. Adept at building cross-functional collaboration, mentoring technical staff, and developing systems for tracking compliance, training, and project progress. Recognized for driving continuous improvement and risk reduction through Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Plan-Do-Check-Act frameworks, while delivering world-class safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Employee/ Contractor Safety, Process Safety, and Continuous Improvement
Williams Companies
11.2022 - Current
- Lead multiple corporate teams coordinating with field operations, project execution, and safety teams to implement enterprise-wide safety and operational solutions.
- Design and facilitate Safety Leadership training focused on Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) for all leaders from the COO to frontline supervisors.
- Oversee and execute the Safety Culture Assessment program, driving organization-wide cultural awareness and behavioral improvements.
- Govern all enterprise safety & health programs, ensuring consistent application of compliance standards, training, metrics, and regulatory alignment across operations and capital projects.
- Present quarterly safety performance updates to the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership, covering KPIs, injury trends, and high-risk mitigation strategies.
- Utilize safety and health analytics to identify performance gaps and establish strategic goals aligned with corporate objectives.
- Implement and manage the Energy-Based High Severity Hazard Identification program, proactively targeting high-risk operational threats.
- Oversee the Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) program, ensuring full regulatory compliance and workforce readiness.
- Deploy and monitor a compliance safety program that guarantees completion of all regulatory-required tasks.
- Standardize due diligence and asset transition processes for newly acquired facilities to drive operational efficiency and regulatory assurance.
- Lead development of a comprehensive Mechanical Integrity program, supporting risk reduction and asset reliability.
- Co-lead a Process Safety Task Force, advancing initiatives that reduce the risk of high-severity incidents across all Williams assets.
Director of Pipeline Safety and Asset Integrity
Williams Companies
11.2021 - 11.2022
- Managed enterprise integrity programs across 30,000+ miles of DOT 192/195 transmission pipelines, LNG plants, gas storage, and unregulated assets, addressing threats such as corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and hard spot detection.
- Led incident response efforts and regulatory communications with executive leadership, the Board, federal agencies, and industry experts.
- Developed and communicated enterprise metrics to guide strategic decision-making and performance improvement.
- Directed regulatory rule change coordination and action planning across business units.
- Established LNG compliance strategies and managed cross-functional collaboration, including third-party budgeting.
- Guided development and rollout of the Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS).
- Owned and led implementation of a digital platform integrating DOT task management into Maximo.
Manager of Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity
Williams Companies
01.2020 - 11.2021
- Developed and implemented the enterprise Safety Annual Incentive Program, ensuring awareness and consistency across all business units.
- Led action planning and partnered with operations to close out Mechanical Integrity inspections across 75 PSM-regulated facilities.
- Oversaw training and awareness for process safety metrics, including Accidental Ignition, LOPC, Process Safety Events, and Safety System Activation.
- Managed enterprise requirements and SME teams across Mechanical Integrity, MOC, PSSR, PHA, LOPA, and safety-critical device programs.
- Promoted an enterprise-wide process safety mindset and assessed regulatory applicability for PSM and EPA-RMP facilities.
- Supported external audits and developed closure plans for regulatory findings.
- Led redevelopment, training, and rollout of Maximo-based MOC/PSSR compliance system.
- Contributed to corporate Sustainability Report development with a focus on safety and process performance.
Engineering Supervisor Tech Services
Williams Companies
06.2018 - 12.2019
- Developed and reviewed capital maintenance budgets for the operating region.
- Led Process & Fractionation transition initiatives, including technical project reviews, execution planning, and PSM program alignment.
- Mentored engineers by setting performance goals and creating personalized development plans that supported corporate objectives and career growth.
- Audited design and construction plans to ensure alignment with industry standards, internal compliance, and safe work practices.
- Applied Lean principles to scope and optimize engineering solutions, driving cost-effective project execution.
- Facilitated lessons learned reviews to promote continuous improvement across teams and systems.
- Collaborated with peer operating areas to standardize best practices across tasks, safety protocols, and efficiency initiatives.
- Built and coordinated multidisciplinary project teams involving management, engineering, operations, construction, and budget analysts based on project scope and priority.
- Evaluated employee performance and delivered constructive feedback to support skill development and team growth.
Operations Engineer
Williams Companies
12.2014 - 06.2018
- Mentored early-career engineers and developed structured technical training schedules.
- Reviewed construction air purge work plans for safety and compliance.
- Developed a pipeline hydraulic system model for operational planning using SynerGEE software.
- Led tactical projects related to electrical area classification in accordance with API RP 500 standards.
- Conducted facility siting studies and implemented mitigation strategies to address compliance findings.
- Coordinated pressure relief and vent system studies to meet API 520/521 standards.
- Executed liquid condensate efficiency projects to optimize throughput and operational performance.
E&C Engineer/ Project Manager
Williams Companies
11.2012 - 12.2014
- Served as project engineer for the design and budget development of grassroots wet gas gathering compressor stations and rich gas processing facilities with liquid stabilization.
- Engineered and managed new gathering pipeline infrastructure and receipt meters in compliance with ASME B31.8 and DOT 192 standards.
- Oversaw planning and execution of capital project budgets, contractor bidding, and construction award processes.
- Developed and executed pipeline hydrotest and hot tap procedures, including job planning and field coordination.
- Led HDD (horizontal directional drilling) planning for pipeline installations.
- Designed standard well pad NGL receipt meters for a multiphase gathering pilot program.
Field Engineer
Baker Hughes Inc.
05.2008 - 11.2012
- Conducted gas storage well casing, tubing, and cement bond integrity inspections to ensure safe operations.
- Managed field crews and job sites, delivering high-quality data to customers with a focus on operational efficiency and safety.
- Trained new operations technicians and junior engineers on field protocols and equipment handling.
- Completed leadership and engineering development courses focused on employee management and customer relations.
- Served as radiation supervisor, ensuring regulatory compliance and personnel safety at job sites.
- Acted as on-site engineer for oil well formation evaluation and completion operations.
- Coordinated calibration of electrical-mechanical and nuclear tools, and performed equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
Education
M.S. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Akron
05-2022
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Michigan Technological University
05-2008
Skills
- Natural Gas advocate
- Cross-industry collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Program management
- Change management
- Decision-making
- Strategic planning
- Operations knowledge
- Safety culture
- Verbal and written communication
Accomplishments
- Gas Processing Association Industry Group Safety Committee Co-Chair
- Southern Gas Association Convention Panel Speaker
- Men Advocating Real Change Employee Resource Group Chair Member
Certification
- Certified Safety Manager - National Association of Safety Professionals 2022
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt- Kent State University 2016
Industry Engagement
- Local Safety Committee Lead Chair
- Engineering Board Advisor -Oral Roberts University
Timeline
Director of Employee/ Contractor Safety, Process Safety, and Continuous Improvement
Williams Companies
11.2022 - Current
Director of Pipeline Safety and Asset Integrity
Williams Companies
11.2021 - 11.2022
Manager of Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity
Williams Companies
01.2020 - 11.2021
Engineering Supervisor Tech Services
Williams Companies
06.2018 - 12.2019
Operations Engineer
Williams Companies
12.2014 - 06.2018
E&C Engineer/ Project Manager
Williams Companies
11.2012 - 12.2014
Field Engineer
Baker Hughes Inc.
05.2008 - 11.2012
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Michigan Technological University
M.S. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Akron
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