Office: Ezekiel W. Cullen, Room 124B

As an industry expert and consultant to Subsea Systems Institute (SSI), John has contributed his perspective on the varying challenges facing the energy industry and the initiatives proposed by researchers developing solutions to those challenges. John began his career with General Electric Company (GEC) of England PLC founding GEC Oil and Gas and managing the Deepwater Production and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) business, both commercial and military.

John by acquisition joined ABB and served as CEO for ABB Seatec and Vice President of Technology and Engineering for Oil and Gas Inc. He also served as the Director of the corporate ABB Oil and Gas Research Center (Zurich/Houston), coordinating technology across ABB Offshore Systems, Lummus Engineering & Deepwater and Vetco. John moved to General Electric (GE), by acquisition and moved into the role of Executive General Manager in GE Energy. He was responsible for GE Corporate’s business with major oil companies.

This included upstream, midstream, downstream and power generation. John is a graduate of the University of Surrey with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of London and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bath. John is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Society of Underwater Technology and chairs multiple Industry initiatives.

Yasser is a Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in Engineering, Manufacturing and Consulting. He has been with BP since 2009 and is currently a Senior Facilities Engineer in BP’s Upstream Technology. In his current role, he is involved in testing and application of Robotics in BP’s current and future facilities.

Yasser holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.

Paul Doucette is the General Manager for Industry Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at Baker Hughes. Paul interacts with key stakeholders around the globe to help chart the strategic direction of the company, particularly with regard to the energy transition and low-carbon future.

Previously to joining GE Oil & Gas in 2007, Paul career includes roles with Cornell Companies, Inc. as Vice President of Public Affairs and Business’ serving as Vice President of Ward Creative Communications from 1996-2000, Director of Public and Government Affairs with Star Enterprise from 1991-1996 and with Texaco in roles ranging from Sales to Director of Public and Government Affairs.

Paul served with the 2nd Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Force of the Strategic Air Command. He holds his Masters in Business Administration from Nicholls State University; Thibodaux, Louisiana and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University. He is a graduate of the Advanced Executive Development Program of the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Paul is an avid long-distance cyclist, logging thousands of miles each year. He enjoys spending time with his wife the 1991 National Teacher of the Year, Rae McKee and their five children and nine grandchildren.

Tom Feutrill is an energy project management professional with extensive project management experience across a range of major capital oil and gas onshore and offshore developments. Tom is Project Manager for the Pluto Train 2 LNG development, located on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia and currently resides in Houston where he is overseeing the engineering design phase of the project.

Tom joined Australian energy company Woodside Energy in 2004 as a mechanical engineer responsible for the maintenance and operation of the company’s offshore facilities, before moving into the Company’s projects division. Prior to his current role, Tom was seconded to Chevron in 2016 where he worked as the Commissioning Manager on the Wheatstone LNG Project.

Tom has acquired project management, contracting and commercial knowledge and is focussed on the continuous improvement of project delivery performance in order to generate further value for the business. He strives to be a champion of change and integrate new technologies, including digital solutions, to efficiently commercialise natural gas resources into LNG which is the vital transition fuel required to support the global shift to new energy solutions.

Tom has Bachelor of Engineering (in Mechanical Engineering) from the University of Western Australia, a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University Australia and a Diploma in Project Management from George Washington University.

Luis Garza Rios graduated from the University of Michigan, obtaining Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

He joined ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company in May 2000, holding numerous positions, ranging from R&D to planning to management, and gaining experience in the areas of offshore structural design, station-keeping, meteorology and oceanography, marine risers, pipelines, marine systems, arctic engineering and subsea engineering.

He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Grauer recently joined TechnipFMC as Director of Research and Chief Research Engineer. She was previously with Hoerbiger as Vice President of Engineering. She currently serves as Past Chair of the Internal Combustion Engine Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Center of Marine Robotics at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Prior to joining Hoerbiger, Dr. Grauer held various management roles within Schlumberger and also worked as Corporate Technology Manager of OneSubsea, A Schlumberger Company.

Prior to the acquisition of Cameron International Corporation by Schlumberger, Dr. Grauer served as Engineering Manager of Technology & Engine Development for Cameron. Prior to Cameron, Dr. Grauer was a Research Engineer and Program Manager for the Department of Energy Efficiency & Industrial Technology department at the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Grauer has also taught Mechanical Engineering courses at Idaho State University and Kansas State University.

Dr. Grauer holds both a B.Sc. and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University where she graduated with honors.

Sudhir is the Chairman, Board of Directors, Technology Collaboration Center, based in Houston, Texas. He has strong interests in energy, renewables, space, robotics, drones, Formula 1 and everything digital.

He has held a variety of management, technology and business leadership positions within Schlumberger, including VP & GM of Completions business, GM of Schlumberger operations Mumbai India and more recently MD at Liquid Robotics Oil and Gas (LROG), a Schlumberger start-up JV. He sits on the executive advisory boards of SPE ENGenious, SpaceCom and the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit.

In April 2016, he was recognized by the United States National Diversity Council with the 2016 Texas Multicultural Leadership Award. He is deeply committed to World Alliance Solar Impulse Foundation, United Way of Houston and KinkaidConnect mentor program at his daughter’s school.

Nikunj Patel is a Director of Engineering and Technology at Oceaneering International Inc. Nikunj is responsible for all New Product Development and Emerging Technology for Mobile Robotics, Subsea Robotics, Subsea Products and Services.

As an Oceaneer, Nikunj has served within multiple Management and Technical roles ranging from Engineering Manager to General Manager for several Business units.

Nikunj Patel graduated from the Wichita State University of Kansas, obtaining Bachelor & Masters degrees in Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering.

Pat Toomey is Chevron’s Asset Class Hub Leader for Upstream Operations. He is responsible for prioritizing and aligning Chevron’s R&D efforts to maximize returns and improve environmental performance.

Pat joined Chevron in 1991 and has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from California State University at Long Beach and an MBA from Louisiana State University. He has held numerous engineering, operations and leadership positions in Chevron’s Upstream and Downstream Units located in California, Louisiana, Texas, and Thailand. He is based in Houston, Texas.

Francesco graduated from the “Mediterranea” University of Reggio Calabria, obtaining a Bachelor and Masters degree in Electrical engineering. He obtained a further Engineering Doctorate degree in Underwater Acoustics from a joint program held by University of Pisa and the Italian Navy.

Francesco joined Saipem in 2008 as a design engineer in the subsea robotics group, advancing through his career towards technology deployment and operations leadership roles on a global basis. Later on, he participated in commercial and business development activities of products and services featured by advanced technological content within the E&C offshore division.

He is currently covering the position of Commercial GoM of Saipem’s SOLUTIONS business line.

Sid Vinyard is Chairman of Houston Technology Center - International, which he founded in 2011. Headquartered in Singapore and Bahrain, and operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and India.

The company sources new and disruptive technology for International energy industry companies, with a specific oil, gas, clean, green, alternative and renewable focus. HTC - International is a proud sponsor of the Rice University Business Plan Competition in Houston, and similar Asia and Middle East events.

Vinyard previously served on The Board of Directors of Houston Technology Center in Texas from 2010 - 2017. HTC - USA was founded in 1998 as a non-profit community organization to foster regional economic development, by supporting start-up companies specific to Energy Technology, Life Sciences, and IT, including a NASA collaboration, and helped raise $2.8 Billion to assist 300+ start-ups.

Prior to HTC - International, Vinyard owned a software development company whose product was Globally licensed by a US Fortune 500 company. An owner/partner in a large US travel/transportation company, and remains CEO of privately held SPI Inc. He continues to seek out new and disruptive energy-focused technologies through an established Global network.