Steve Giffin, Maintenance, Turnaround, and Construction Department Manager
PBF Energy Martinez, California
Asked to provide a “tripartite success story” for conference participants, Steve Giffin focused on what creates success stories in the first place. As the Maintenance, Turnaround, and Construction Department Manager, PBF Energy Martinez, California, Giffin thought about a time when it appeared that a much-anticipated turnaround project was thoroughly prepared to begin toward success. When asked if he was happy with the status of the project to begin, Giffin said, “I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied.”
Giffin elaborated that he couldn’t be satisfied until he knew the job was completed successfully—and he stressed that there is always an opportunity to raise the bar for better, even in the best scenarios.
He said that notion of “happy but not satisfied” applies to the concept of the tripartite. While Boilermakers, contractors and owners make good progress together, there is still work to be done.
He talked about the energy-industry challenges in California and how politics are stymying opportunities for refinery development. Boilermakers have been active lobbying with industry owners in the state capitol to change the narrative and “help everyone realize that what we’ve gotten ourselves into will take some fixing.
“Maybe the message we’re delivering with the Boilermakers is making a difference,” he said, showing headlines touting Governor Gavin Newsome’s pivot to embracing “big oil.”
Giffin went on to show a video clip illustrating a concept from Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, which demonstrates the power of parties working together so both win—as opposed to working against one another so only one wins.
“This changed how I approach my job and alliances,” he said. “The concept of win-lose poisons the mind. It's a different way to look at things when you say: 'Why don't we both win?' It's better when we both win. That's what working together is. That's what success is. There’s always going to be room for us to improve. This is the way we work together in the tripartite, looking for the win-win-win."