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Delivering Energy for Life was the GPA Midstream 2024 Convention theme, and the 1,793 registrants for the annual gathering of industry professionals showed full support of that statement from the event's start.
With plentiful networking, educational forums, awards, insightful remarks, and thought-provoking presentations, this year's convention buzzed with activity and energy.
Sunday marked the beginning of a fast-paced four-day schedule, Sept. 22-25. A beautiful San Antonio morning welcomed the full field of 136 participants to the first of the convention’s networking events, a sporting clays shoot held at the world-class National Shooting Complex. By afternoon, the shoot was over and the convention site at the Marriott Rivercenter was fully transformed into the GPA Midstream conference venue, complete with sponsor signage and booths.
The late-afternoon New Attendee Orientation proved to be a valuable session for first timers, where they learned about the association, the convention and what to expect and how to make the most of the experience. The event became a social mixer that helped newcomers shed the “I don’t know anybody” feeling.
By early evening, the Rivercenter’s third-floor foyer was buzzing with enthusiasm and chatter at GPSA Opening Reception and Vendor Night. The networking event is considered the official kick-off to the convention. In the spacious ballroom, 25 vendors, each selected through a lottery process, hosted from booths around the perimeter, while they also served up product expertise, refreshments and giveaways. Aside from knowledgeable conversations, the casual setting allowed attendees the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and make new friends.
Monday morning brought an early start to a full day of meetings, forums and presentations – several of which fell into “tracks” segmenting the convention’s programming by specific interests: Commercial, Advocacy and Technical. Timely topics and leadership expertise are always a given at the convention, and 2024’s agenda and participation stayed true to form.
GPA Midstream Vice President, Technical Services, Martin Erne said this year’s convention had an infectious spirit.
“People wanted to be here and participate,” Erne said. “The meetings were positive and even more energized than normal.”
Andrew Mooney, the association’s director of government affairs, also had upbeat feedback from committees he works with. The GPSA Advocacy Committee appreciated the comprehensive update on Environmental Committee activities provided by Laura Higgins, Phillips 66. Mooney said the Regulatory Committee meetings discussed the composition of the current FERC membership, as well as other key industry topics, including impact on midstream of the Supreme Court decision ending Chevron deference.
While attendees were spent morning attending programs of choice, Monday’s Center Stage Luncheon united 650 in one room to celebrate awards, hear association leaders speak, and to learn from the keynote address. Thanks to three giant floor-to-ceiling screens at the room’s front, there were no bad seats. Multi-colored lights and lively music added to the festive atmosphere.
GPA Midstream Chair and Williams executive, Micheal Dunn, led the luncheon. In his remarks, Dunn expressed optimism about midstream’s future and determination to address the sector’s challenges.
He told attendees that now is a pivotal time for the industry with demand for U.S. natural gas accelerating faster than ever. He said that in the next five to 10 years, the growth in LNG exports, the drumbeat of “electrify everything and reshore it,” and rapid data center growth will compound natural gas demand.
“From the industrial and power sectors to residential and commercial users – natural gas is the fuel of choice for power-hungry America – and increasingly – for our world,” Dunn said.
Dunn said that with each passing day, midstream infrastructure becomes more valuable. He cited infrastructure’s critical importance to supporting data center growth and artificial intelligence solutions across the country, as well as other technological innovations.
“Access to abundant and low-cost natural gas reserves depends on having the appropriate and adequate infrastructure where it’s needed most,” Dunn said. “But building and expanding infrastructure in key regions has never been more challenging. Public and political sentiment toward our industry in the last 10 years has become extremely divisive and difficult to navigate.”
Dunn told the audience it is imperative for experts of energy infrastructure in the midstream to speak in a collective voice to handle our sector’s role in delivering energy responsibly. He challenged the gathering to engage through the association.
“GPA Midstream Association is a volunteer led organization,” Dunn said. “They have great full-time staff that help all of us manage the GPA activities, but those of you in the audience staff the committees, you identify and participate in technical research, and also the drafting and revising of technical standards. I challenge you to continue that work to move the accomplishments of the association forward and bring along your fellow company team members as well.
“My next challenge is for you to find out who your elected state and federal delegations are and get engaged with them to advocate for our industry. Your voice in unison with other voices telling the same story does make a difference in politicians’ viewpoints. Get your voice heard and be engaged with your elected officials.”
Dunn used the platform to recognize retiring GPA Midstream President and CEO Joel Moxley. In doing so, he encouraged all attendees to follow the example that Moxley demonstrated during his association involvement for the last 30-plus years, “to get involved.”
Moxley and incoming GPA Midstream President and CEO Sarah Miller each took the stage afterwards to make remarks about the importance of participation and leadership in association matters, noting that the 100-year-old organization has survived and thrived because of its long history of people continually stepping up and forward to make things happen. “Adapt. Get involved,” Moxley challenged the crowd.
“Everyone in this room knows the essential nature of the midstream,” Miller said in her remarks. “However, that knowledge is not shared by the general public — in large part because midstream has done such a good job of ensuring energy is reliably and affordably available. We’re the invisible industry that moves energy from where it’s found to where it’s needed. Through communications efforts like the Let’s Clear the Air campaign, we’re trying to lift the shroud of invisibility and educate people about how important midstream is to their daily lives. We want people to understand their standard of living exists because of the infrastructure and processes we’ve built — because we do our jobs every day.”
Miller was followed by keynote speaker Jay Samit, a world-renowned visionary who has advised popes, presidents and top corporation leaders throughout his career. He helped launch LinkedIn, eBay and iTunes, and pioneered breakthrough advancements in mobile video, robotics, internet advertising, ecommerce, social networks, ebooks, and digital music. He’s considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts on disruption and innovation. Samit captivated his audience with just a few sentences.
Click here for more on Samit’s remarks about the advantages and challenges that come with advancing technology.
Sharing in the limelight of Center Stage Luncheon with Samit and others, were several individual award recognitions for outstanding achievements and committee service. Among the honorees were:
Donald L. Katz Award
- Dr. Karl Gerdes, The Competency Alliance
Lifetime Achievement Award
- David Bardeen, Ariel Corp.
- Jerry Bullin, Bryan Research
- Bill Ward, Superior Pipeline
Recognition Award
- Kevin Currence, Black & Veatch
- Don Sextro, Targa Resources
- Mike Wood, HGWT Consulting
Citation for Service
- Jeff Morton, Enterprise Products
- Jena Resnick, Antero Resources
- Jeff Stake, NTACT Operations
Tuesday morning featured sponsored breakfast meetings for ticket holders. Texas Pastor Randy Phillips was keynote speaker at the Prayer Breakfast, while leading industry executives were part of the Industry Breakfast Roundtable: Lessons Learned in Setting Safety Culture.
The roundtable was an informative dive into insights from Micheal Dunn, Williams; Bill Johnson, Phillips 66; and Greg Floerke, MPLX about establishing a safety culture within a company. The event included illuminating talk about challenges faced and lessons learned.
Five different Lunch & Learn noon meetings were part of the day’s agenda, and each featured experience technical experts addressing current challenges in midstream operations.
The Chairman’s Luncheon honored award winners and stressed the importance of volunteer service. Dunn told attendees that midstream’s “people” are what makes this association, and the industry, successful and prepared for a bright future. Awards presented:
Committee Leadership
- David Bardeen, Ariel Corp.
- Samantha Fox, Middough
- Jimmie Hammontree, Williams
- Brent Jasper, Jasper
- Doug Jordan, Chevron North American Production
- Lance Lodes, Energy Transfer
- Trevor Morrison, Western Midstream Partners
- Katie Ranucci, MPLX
- Mike Reed, Energy Transfer
- Kindra Snow-McGregor, PetroSkills/John M. Campbell
Committee Volunteers of the Year
- Daniel Bissonnette, Enterprise Products Operating LP
- Peter Cain, Enterprise Products Operating LP
- Heidi Casper, River City Engineering
- David English, Energy Transfer Co.
- Jake Fournier, Marathon Petroleum Corp.
- David Fry, TTS Midstream
- Duane Harris, SICK Inc.
- Laura Higgins, Phillips 66
- Jaron Hill, MHT Consulting LLC
- Oliver Koch, Linde Engineering Americas
- Ryan McCoy, ONEOK Inc.
- Ryan Newcomer, Targa Resources Corporation
- Melanie Roberts, Targa Resources Corporation
- Phil Roberts, Williams
- Byron Saunders, Copperleaf
- Mark Scripsick, Momentum Midstream
- Matthew West, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Outgoing Chairs
- Dave Beck, Audubon Engineering, Program Committee
- Mike Reed, Energy Transfer, Safety Committee
- Ryan Rudnitzki, INNIO Waukesha, GPSA President
- Christina Zickefoose, BPX Energy, Pipeline Design, Operation & Maintenance Committee
Environmental Excellence (presented during the Environmental Forum)
- Enterprise Products
- Saudi Aramco
The luncheon included remarks by Katz Award winner, Karl Gerdes, and also by Lifetime Award honorees David Bardeen, Jerry Bullin and Bill Ward. Plaques were presented to Committee Leaders, Committee Volunteers and Outgoing Chairs, in recognition for their volunteer service.
In closing the meeting, Dunn paid special tribute to Moxley, who was retiring as top executive with GPA Midstream and GPSA. Dunn and Lifetime Award recipient Bill Ward praised Moxley’s decades of association work and offered a champagne toast in recognition. Ward recognized Moxley for outstanding leadership that brought the organization to its highest level and for being a great friend through careers that spanned decades.
The 2025 GPA Midstream Convention is scheduled for a return to San Antonio, Sept. 21-24.
