SONNY GEORGE AULD
Tomball
Summary
Product and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning drilling systems, automation, controls, power systems, manufacturing, operations, commercial leadership, and product management across global energy markets. Throughout my career, I have focused on aligning strategy, execution, and operational outcomes across complex technical environments. My approach is grounded in the belief that H&P’s technology, engineering, and product investments create their greatest value when they strengthen our position as the industry’s leading driller and deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers. I’ve found that strong product ownership doesn’t create success on its own, but it is often the catalyst that allows organizations to fully realize the value of their collective capabilities. Known for building trust across engineering, operations, commercial, manufacturing, and leadership teams, I help reduce fragmentation, improve decision quality, and create alignment across interconnected systems. I view Product Management as a bridge between strategic intent and operational execution, helping organizations navigate ambiguity while maintaining focus on long-term enterprise success.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Product Manager – Global Drilling Solutions
HELMERICH & PAYNE (H&P)
01.2019 - Current
- Direct product strategy, portfolio direction, and governance across drilling automation, rig controls, rig power, and integrated drilling technologies while aligning engineering, operations, commercial, and product organizations around common objectives.
- Enterprise Portfolio Alignment: Actively identify opportunities to align expertise, priorities, and development efforts across FlexRig Engineering, Digital Drilling Solutions, Product Management, and operational stakeholders to improve coordination and reduce fragmentation.
- System-Level Alignment: Bridge product strategy with operational realities and multidisciplinary capabilities across mechanical, electrical, controls, and digital domains.
- Governance & Roadmapping: Advanced roadmap and stage-gate governance frameworks to improve transparency and coordination across interconnected products.
- Global Stakeholder Alignment: Worked across geographically distributed teams to establish shared understanding and consistent technology decisions.
- Cross-Functional Partnerships: Partnered with controls, electrical, software, manufacturing, and field organizations to balance technical rigor with customer value.
- Commercial Value Creation: Supported commercialization of controls and automation capabilities that generated meaningful business value.
- Change & Alignment Leadership: Maintained organizational focus and collaborative decision-making during periods of business transformation.
- Disciplined Investment Management: Evaluated customer value and operational impact to provide objective analysis for product investment decisions.
Regional Operations Manager / Technical Sales Leadership Roles
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Held progressive leadership positions spanning operations, technical sales, commercialization, and regional business management.
- Managed operational and commercial performance supporting approximately $150MM in U.S. land business.
- Improved adoption and execution of drilling technologies through alignment across operations, engineering, sales, and customers.
- Applied operational and commercial fundamentals to drive a 50% year-over-year EBITDA improvement through technology adoption and rigorous execution.
- Focused on the direct relationship between operational performance, customer value, and bottom-line commercial success.
Product Line Director / Sales Director – Power Sections
NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO (NOV) / ROBBINS & MYERS
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Led global product line activities supporting manufacturing, engineering, operations, and commercial organizations.
- Managed global customer relationships and contracts exceeding $200MM across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Aligned product strategies with regional market dynamics and business objectives across manufacturing and engineering teams.
- Developed extensive experience coordinating across international markets, manufacturing organizations, engineering teams, and diverse organizational cultures.
Operations, Quality & Technical Leadership Roles
SCHLUMBERGER
01.1998 - 01.2009
- Held progressive field, quality, and technical leadership assignments supporting drilling operations and technology deployment.
- Supported drilling technology implementation across multiple regions and operating environments.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that reduced costs and improved operational performance.
- Developed foundational expertise in drilling systems, operational execution, engineering rigor, and technology adoption.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science - Geological Engineering
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, CanadaSkills
- Global Product Strategy & Portfolio Governance
- Global Portfolio Management & Execution
- Cross-Functional & Cross-Regional Leadership
- Global Product Roadmaps & Investment Prioritization
- Drilling Automation, Controls & Rig Power Systems
- Technology Commercialization & Global Scaling
- Executive Communication & Stakeholder Alignment
- Technical Thought Leadership & Industry Engagement
Timeline
Principal Product Manager – Global Drilling Solutions
HELMERICH & PAYNE (H&P)
01.2019 - Current
Regional Operations Manager / Technical Sales Leadership Roles
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL
01.2016 - 01.2019
Product Line Director / Sales Director – Power Sections
NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO (NOV) / ROBBINS & MYERS
01.2009 - 01.2014
Operations, Quality & Technical Leadership Roles
SCHLUMBERGER
01.1998 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Applied Science - Geological Engineering
University of Waterloo
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS
- Technical author and contributor to multiple SPE, IPTC, and industry publications related to drilling automation, controls integration, digital drilling technologies, and drilling optimization.
- SPE-222152-MS (2024) | SPE-221821-MS (2024) | SPE-217751-MS (2024) | SPE-217685-MS (2024) | IPTC-23835-MS (2024)
- Active contributor to industry discussions related to drilling automation, drilling optimization, controls integration, and emerging technology adoption.
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
I believe organizations perform at their best when strategy, technical execution, and operational realities remain tightly aligned. Product Management plays a unique role in connecting those elements—serving as a bridge that builds trust across functions and helps organizations make disciplined, data-driven decisions grounded in customer value, operational outcomes, and long-term enterprise success.
My leadership approach is anchored in the H&P belief that we go longer together. I have built my career around helping teams align around common objectives, break down organizational barriers, and make disciplined decisions that support long-term enterprise success.