Scott Latta

2023-Present

Fired Equipment Specialist

Monitor all fired equipment in refinery to ensure safety, proper operation, and that preventative maintenance is being done to maintain optimal performance.

• Provide IR thermography on fired equipment to ensure that any abnormalities are identified and escalated to PEI for repair.
• Provided TA scope items for equipment in need of repair during next outage or TA.
• Worked with operations to troubleshoot problems affecting the plants heater/boilers.
• Deliver combustion training/heater safety course to operations.
• Collaborate with production team to ensure Draft/O2 targets are being met, provide guidance to operators to fine tune fired equipment.

Ensure HSSE and ESP compliance, and track computer-based training in a highly responsible manner. Demonstrate excellent performance driving streamlined operations within UTL targets and ESP limits. Support of permitting, LOTO, and Control of hazardous energy. Take pride in the integral piece of operator development, as individuals and team members. Facilitate production team meetings, and ensure that action items are carried out, and that follow-up results are delivered.

• Trained on all southside units (VPS, DCU, CHD, HTU1/ISOM, HTU2/CRU2/HTU3).
• Maintain adherence to targets, constraints, and alarm management through the ESP process.
• Collaborate with unit PS, OMS, Process Engineer, PCE, and Safety staff to understand individual development needs.
• Drive plant, process, and equipment operations while monitoring safeguards and interactions between affected process units.

Delivered comprehensive safety and unit process training to new hire onboards for the HTU1/ISOM units. Ensured all new employees were trained in emergency equipment operations, procedures, job tasks, and related computer skills required. Developed procedures and manuals, and kept job-specific training up to date. Performed revisions, and complied with PSM to ensure all procedures were recertified by the 3-year standard. Responsible for developing operators to train for the LOO and CO positions, and providing the necessary training materials to do so. Held full responsibility for training operations on any MOC or Fountain items.

• Conducted evaluations of training courses to uncover areas in need of improvement.
• Mentored team members to succeed, and advance within the department and company.
• Assisted with onboarding new employees by conducting orientation and company-wide or job-specific training.
• Determined course objectives and found or wrote course materials to cover topics.

Pulled samples of Unit hydrocarbon streams. Provided proactive monitoring of equipment to ensure reliability and the safe use of unit machinery and equipment. Maintained proficiency in unit emergency equipment and procedures. Responsible for the permitting in our area, including safe, hot, and entry permits. Monitored DCS screens and operated the units via DCS controls according to ESP and UTL target limitations. Communicated any issues or process problems with outside operations to keep the units on test and stable.

• Mentored junior operators, so they could be successful in their next role.
• Took pride in the safety culture of our unit, and the plant as a whole.
• Provide clear communication with maintenance crafts and contractors to ensure all permitted work was job-walked and done safely.

Served in the US Army National Guard for 12 years as a 12B combat engineer. Deployed to middle east in 2004 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Oversaw daily command for squad of 8 soldiers, demonstrating strong moral character, intellect and respect.
• Developed training programs to enhance soldier skills and maintain unit effectiveness.
• Conducted performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to improve soldier capabilities.
• Facilitated patrol operations and led security forces team to support battlefield operations.
• Regularly inspected weapons to ensure cleanliness and to determine if repairs would be required to maximize functionality.
• Analyzed operational plans to identify areas for improvement, driving efficiency in execution of missions.