My Next Big Move
It's 2018 and I'm flying off on the very first helicopter ride to Appomattox—a large platform in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico that I helped design and build at Shell. Like a floating city, these platforms perform operations with the precision of a surgeon, miles beneath the ocean floor—so they're pretty impressive.
I remember being in awe at that moment, not only of seeing the massive megaproject come to life, but of my career at Shell as a whole. I started out as an intern in 2007 and worked my way up to deputy project manager of Shell's latest flagship project at the time, Whale. It had been an incredible journey, and I'd been blessed to be able to develop and build some of the most amazing engineering projects on earth.
Flash forward to 2020 and the whole world has changed. First Kobe Bryant, someone who I never met, but admired because of his drive and embrace of entrepreneurship, passed away in a helicopter crash. Then COVID-19 hit, showing me that nothing is as secure as it seems.
I began to reassess my career and my desires. And I realized that I had to scratch my own itch for entrepreneurship. I always admired people who've started companies. It takes a lot of bravery and courage to put everything on the line for something you believe in.
When Nicole talked about her ramp up with Tesla on the podcast a few months back, I couldn't help but be inspired by it. Was I capable of doing something like that? Could I handle the uncertainty of startup culture?
Then I got the call about an opportunity at Advano.
The New Orleans-based startup increases LI-ion batteries' energy density by substituting graphite for silicon, which holds ten times the energy. And they're doing it at scale, which is the reason I'm here.
According to forecasts, electric vehicles will increase fifteenfold by 2030;. Advano will be supplying tier 1 auto OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers with solutions that will allow for longer-range battery packs. I wanted to be part of their mission to accelerate the world to renewables, so last week I started as the Director of Program Management, setting up Advano to rapidly scale their facilities around the world.
Since Advano is building projects at scale, having a great framework is essential. I'll be leading the development of the processes, and systems to accelerate the delivery, and eventually hiring the people that will help us get there.
Advano operates at the cutting edge of battery technology, a Y-combinator backed startup, where their R&D and products are leading the way in the future of renewables. And we're primed to make a major economic impact on the New Orleans region. We will need operators and engineers with a can-do skill set that Louisiana's Oil and Gas industry is known for. As we grow, the displaced workers from refineries in the area will find a growing company to join and a bright future.
It's an exciting new chapter for me, Phoenix, and Amias and I look forward to sharing the journey with you at The Omar Project. If you're interested in building the new economy of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, reach out. I'll be looking for people to add to my team
Have you ever taken a career leap? How did it work out? Tell me in the comments below or @theomarproject on Twitter.