DAVID CHACON SR
Katy,Texas
Summary
25+ yrs. in operations leading operators and contractors, coordinating TA SD and SU. 10+ yrs. commissioning, coordinating contractors in commissioning and start-up.
Overview
49
49
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Construction, Small Projects
Self Employed Services
05.2025 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Construction of small projects such as gazebos, outside kitchens, concrete work, and fences.
Operations Lead Supervisor
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Commissioning and operating as well as ensuring all equipment is operating properly and sending gas to grid. Consisting of a dairy farm and digesters for producing Methane and other gases as Green Gas Solution.
Turnaround Coordinator FCC
08.2024 - 09.2024
- Coordinator on the 2024 Husky Turnaround in Ohio.
Commissioning and Start-Up Field Specialist
04.2024 - 07.2024
- Deal with Vendors, help on walkdowns and equipment out in the field. Helped operations and reported any deficiencies out in the field.
Boiler Operator
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Operated 5 Boilers in emergency operations. With no training, started shift work on day one. Learned how to collect and perform all samples, performed routine operations as well as starting and shutting down boilers.
Hydrocracker Consol Operator
Next Wave Energy through Clough Group
10.2023 - 01.2024
- Operating the console for the Gasoil/diesel Hydrocracker, two sulfur plants, amine units, and boiler for Valero, under Process Technical Services.
Permit Writer
Marathon Renewable Fuels Project
02.2022 - 08.2022
- Working on a new project to produce all renewable diesel energy. Working for Allsafe. Writing permits for the 5 gas unit and the DCU. Preparing lines and equipment for contractors to cut, demo, grind or weld on. Gas testing and writing and issuing permits to contractors. Work included LOTO, tagging and preparing equipment and lines for demoing or welding.
Mechanical Commissioning Tech
SNC Lavalin
04.2021 - 10.2021
- Taking readings on motors, assisting operations in mechanical issues, preparing equipment for commissioning, walking down P&IDs, blowing lines. Assisting Millwrights in Mechanical Commissioning of motors and other equipment.
Commissioning Consultant (Senior Operator)
Lime Tree Bay Terminal Restart Project
12.2019 - 02.2021
- Working with MGMGG Commissioning Consultant Services, LLC. Duties included permit writing, LOTO, assisting contractors, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up of Crude Unit, Vac. Unit, & Coker, initial operations testing, and post commissioning.
Operations Safety Specialist
08.2018 - 11.2019
- Coker Unit. Worked with operations, monitor contractor work for safe operating practices, and assist in making a safer work environment. Working closely with operators and contractors, we had to know all the equipment and operations of the unit.
Document control Lead
12.2017 - 04.2018
- Construction, Pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and Turnover: Coker Unit. Prepared and organized document files for pre-commissioning, performed pre-commissioning and commissioning work, prepared a list of field work and supervised contractors in the field. Mechanical Commissioning and assisted in Start up as well as final project turnover to Pemex under AMEC Foster Wheeler.
Self Employed (contractor work)
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Electrical, plumbing, stone work, small project construction, power washing, sprinkler repair, decks, assembling equipment, any home/business repair or maintenance.
Mechanic
L & S Compression Services
12.2016 - 03.2017
- Rebuilding Reciprocating compressors at Chevron Phillips, Total, and Valero. Completely dismantle reciprocating compressors, rebuilt them and re installed the, along with commissioning them.
LNG (contract work)
03.2016 - 12.2016
- Worked as outside operator and loading LNG tank cars for Chevron Midland Tx. Assisted in all of the outside operator work for the plant.
Commissioning and Startup Technician
04.2015 - 03.2015
- Pre-Commissioning, commissioning and Startup of the Polyethylene Plant in Al Jubail Saudi Arabia. Just one of 26 plants, making this chemical plant the largest chemical complex in the world, to date. Owners (Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Co). Inspecting inside towers drums, compressor and pump oil cleaning. Piping wet and dry blowing & logging in all commissioning information. Logged all information on the computer.
Commissioning Supervisor
Export Refinery Project
01.2015 - 02.2015
- Export Refinery Project in Yanbu Saudi Arabia (under SPIE Oil and Gas Services LLC) in the Crude Unit, at the Aramco/Sinopec 400,000 bpd refinery project, designed for exporting petroleum products. Mechanical inspection inside towers, drums. Compressor and pump oils cleaning. Inspection of all piping and equipment after pre-commissioning. Piping wet and dry blowing and logging in all commissioning information.
Operator and Trainer (LNG project)
03.2013 - 12.2013
- Working under PTS. Operating and training operators in the development and perfection of a very efficient, portable micro channel reactor for converting Natural GAS to Liquids in Columbus Ohio.
SRU/TGU/SWS/Amine Unit Operator
06.2012 - 11.2012
- Outside Operator on the Sulfur Recovery Unit at the Husky Energy Refinery. Was responsible for the Amine Unit, 2 Claus Units and a Tail Gas Unit. This was a temporary assignment and helped out during emergency operations at the Lima Refinery. With record profits in Aug. 2012. Refinery management was extremely pleased with the help provided. I was responsible to prepare lines and equipment for Maintenance including LOTO, and permit. Changing filters, samples collection loading up to 7 sulfur trucks per day. Responsible for all outside activities.
Refinery Operations Advisor
11.2011 - 03.2012
- Working under PTS. KAR Refinery in Erbil Iraq for KAR Group refining. Adviced on operations practices. Helped improve operations, to improve product specs in the refinery and teach operators as well as lead them to improve and make operations more efficient. Trouble shooting, and give direction to operators on certain tasks and report all findings to Plant Manager.
Chief Operator (Lead Operator for 6 units and 6 operators)
ConocoPhillips/Suncor Energy
01.1999 - 09.2011
- Chief or Lead Operator for ConocoPhillips/Suncor Energy and retired on Sept. 25, 2011. Light Oil Division Lead T/A Coordinator. Responsible for the SRU, Reformer, HDS, Crude Unit, Boilers, and H2 plant and 6 operators. Managed all contractors in the light oil division, wrote up to 30 permits per day, wrote most work requests and attended meetings. Assisted my operators to accomplish the day's tasks. Wrote report at end of every shift.
Operations Advisor for 90 day Test Run
Petrozuata (PDVSA/Conoco)
03.2002 - 01.2002
- Refinery Jose Venezuela Coker Unit and Crude unit, 165,000 bpd refinery in Jose Venezuela. Assisted the Coker and Crude Unit operators to improve operations and preparation for the test run. 90-day test run went extremely well at 167,000 bpd.
A/B Operator (A=Crude Unit and B=600# Boilers Operator, Water treating)
01.1990 - 01.1999
- Crude unit and boiler plant operator for Conoco. Unit T/A Coordinator. Operated the console as well as outside. Was responsible for maintaining good operations on the board as well as performing all outside work. Replacing filters, troubleshooting, repairing equipment during malfunctions, maintaining the console operations during upsets and emergencies. Picking up samples as well as thawing instruments during cold weather. Console was a Honeywell TDC-2000.
C/D Operator (D=SRU#1&2, SWS#1&2, TGU, sulfur loading, C=Reformer unit, and HDS#1&2)
03.1985 - 01.1990
- C/D operator for Conoco before moving to other units. Unit T/A Coordinator Operated the console as well as outside. Was responsible for maintaining good operations on the board as well as performing all outside work. Replacing filters, troubleshooting, repairing equipment during malfunctions, maintaining the console operations during upsets and emergencies. Picking up samples as well as thawing instruments during cold weather. Console was a Honeywell TDC-2000.
Contractor Lead Security Guard
North American Air Defense (NORAD)
03.1983 - 09.1985
- Working at North American Air Defense (NORAD) as a lead security guard, I was responsible for searching every vehicle that entered the mountain and did not pose a security risk. While inside, was responsible for ensuring that all my 5 security guards were with their contractors 100% of the time since it was a top secret environment.
Military Occupational Skill 62B20 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Sergeant E-5 US Army)
US Army
07.1976 - 02.1983
- I was responsible for diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing vehicles such as dozers, graders, generators, cranes etc. Troubleshooting and repairing in the shop or in the field. While in Germany, maintained vehicles in my D-company at any time any weather and which ever country we were training in. Was a member of the ACE Mobile Force (Army Command Europe Mobile Force, Nato Special Force.
- In Fort Carson Colorado managed to bring unit's equipment from 42% to 83% operational in less than a year with only 6 mechanics and limited supply of parts.
- My first and foremost role in the Army, of course, was being a soldier and ready for combat at any call. Discipline was my greatest learning in the US Army.
Education
Business -
University of Texas at El Paso
12.1974
Business - undefined
Metro State College
05.1988
Diesel & Power Trains - undefined
Pikes Peak Community College
05.1981
Business - undefined
Central Texas College
12.1979
Business - undefined
University of Maryland
12.1978
Skills
- OPERATIONS:
- Sulfur Recovery Unit
- Reformer Unit
- Sour Water Stripper Unit
- HDS Unit
- Crude Unit
- Boilers
- Hydrogen Plant
- Nitrogen Plant
- Hydrocracker & Fractionator
- AMINE UNIT
- LNG PLANT
- GAS TO LIQUIDS PLANT
- Chief/Lead Operator, Shift Supervisor
- COMMISSIONING:
- COMMISSIONING:
- TURNOVER COORDINATOR
- COMMISSIONING SUPERVISOR
- COMMISSIONING TECHNITIAN
- DOCUMENT CONTROL
- COMMISSIONING PLANNING
- SHUT-DOWNS/START-UPS
- P&ID/PFD CHECKING
- PRE-COMMISSIONING
- PERFORMANCE TESTING
- TROUBLESHOOTING
- ADING OPERATORS, PERMIT WRITING INCLUDING LOTO, PROCEDURE WRITING AND REVIEW, UNIT TA COORDINATING, LEAD TA COORDINATING, UNIT SHUT-DOWNS, UNIT START-UPS, TA PLANNING, WRITING WORK ORDERS, ORDERING EVERYTHING FOR LIGHT OILS DIVISION, OPERATOR INSTRUCTOR FOR CRUDE UNIT, BOILERS AND SRU UNIT NEW EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWER ON THE HIRING TEAM OPERATIONS ADVISOR (IRAQ)
- SAFETY: ERT FOR 15YRS, HAZMAT, RESCUE, INCIDENT COMMAND, FIRE TRAINING, SAFETY SPECIALIST, JSA, PHA
- SOFTWARE: MICROSOFT WORD, EXCEL, ACROBAT, SOME SAP
- WORK LOCATIONS: GERMANY, COLORADO SPRINGS CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN, COMMERCE CITY CO, VENEZUELA, IRAQ, YAMBU SAUDI ARABIA, SADARA IN SAUDI ARABIA, MEXICO, PASADENA TX, LIMA OHIO, MARTINEZ CA, COLUMBUS OH, MIDLAND TX, LOUISIANA, SOUTH TX, SOUTH DAKOTA
- MECHANICAL: 65 YRS US ARMY AS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, DIESEL SCHOOL IN CO SPRINGS PIKES PEAK COM COLLEGE, SHOP IN CO SPRINGS REBUILDING TRANSMISSIONS AND TRASFER CASES, DENVER REBUILDING AND REPLACING ENGINES, L&S COMPRESSIONS REBUILDING RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
- SUPERVISION ROLES: US ARMY (SQUAD OF 16 TROOPS), CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN (GROUP OF 5 SECURITY GUARDS), COMMERCE CITY REFINERY ( 6 OPERATORS AND MANY CONTRACTORS), YAMBU SUADI ARABIA (6 COMMISSIONING WORKERS), PASADENA TX 10 COMMISSIONING WORKERS
- Active listening
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Dependable and responsible
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of five staff members, Yasref project in SA.
- Lead TA Coordinator 4 times in 26 yrs. (Safe and on time)Denver Refinery.
- Refinery Test Run in Venezuela (2001) (Exceeded Production Performance).
- Lead Operator w/6 operators for 13 yrs. (Continuous Satisfactory Production)Denver Refinery
- Successfully assisted in starting up 250 bpd refinery in St. Croiz VI. (Started Refinery after 8 yr. shut down)
Certification
- Commissioning Course 6 Month by Commissioning Coach
- Mechanical Commissioning Training - [Timeframe]
LANGUAGES
Spanish
Full Professional
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Construction, Small Projects
Self Employed Services
05.2025 - Current
Operations Lead Supervisor
11.2024 - 04.2025
Turnaround Coordinator FCC
08.2024 - 09.2024
Commissioning and Start-Up Field Specialist
04.2024 - 07.2024
Boiler Operator
01.2024 - 03.2024
Hydrocracker Consol Operator
Next Wave Energy through Clough Group
10.2023 - 01.2024
Permit Writer
Marathon Renewable Fuels Project
02.2022 - 08.2022
Mechanical Commissioning Tech
SNC Lavalin
04.2021 - 10.2021
Commissioning Consultant (Senior Operator)
Lime Tree Bay Terminal Restart Project
12.2019 - 02.2021
Operations Safety Specialist
08.2018 - 11.2019
Document control Lead
12.2017 - 04.2018
Self Employed (contractor work)
03.2017 - 12.2017
Mechanic
L & S Compression Services
12.2016 - 03.2017
LNG (contract work)
03.2016 - 12.2016
Commissioning and Startup Technician
04.2015 - 03.2015
Commissioning Supervisor
Export Refinery Project
01.2015 - 02.2015
Operator and Trainer (LNG project)
03.2013 - 12.2013
SRU/TGU/SWS/Amine Unit Operator
06.2012 - 11.2012
Refinery Operations Advisor
11.2011 - 03.2012
Operations Advisor for 90 day Test Run
Petrozuata (PDVSA/Conoco)
03.2002 - 01.2002
Chief Operator (Lead Operator for 6 units and 6 operators)
ConocoPhillips/Suncor Energy
01.1999 - 09.2011
A/B Operator (A=Crude Unit and B=600# Boilers Operator, Water treating)
01.1990 - 01.1999
C/D Operator (D=SRU#1&2, SWS#1&2, TGU, sulfur loading, C=Reformer unit, and HDS#1&2)
03.1985 - 01.1990
Contractor Lead Security Guard
North American Air Defense (NORAD)
03.1983 - 09.1985
Military Occupational Skill 62B20 Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Sergeant E-5 US Army)
US Army
07.1976 - 02.1983
Business - undefined
Metro State College
Diesel & Power Trains - undefined
Pikes Peak Community College
Business - undefined
Central Texas College
Business - undefined
University of Maryland
Business -
University of Texas at El Paso
SPECIAL TRAINING
Diesel Mechanic School (US Army)
Diesel and Power Trains Pikes Peak Com. College
Rescue Training (Roco in Canada)
Fire Training (ERT 15 yrs.)
Hazmat Training (ERT 15 yrs.)
Fired Heaters
WORK LOCATIONS
- WORK LOCATIONS
- GERMANY
- COLORADO SPRINGS CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN
- COMMERCE CITY CO
- VENEZUELA
- IRAQ
- YAMBU SAUDI ARABIA
- SADARA IN SAUDI ARABIA
- MEXICO
- PASADENA TX
- LIMA OHIO
- MARTINEZ CA
- COLUMBUS OH
- MIDLAND TX
- LOUISIANA
- SOUTH TX
- SOUTH DAKOTA.