Employee Spotlight – Ryan Patterson

Ryan Patterson is a senior project engineering professional and project manager at Nexus PMG, offering over a decade of global expertise in leading projects, ranging from $10MM to mega projects in excess of $36B, for clients such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Sasol. He has in-depth analytical and quantitative skills paired with a proven ability to use hard data and metrics to back up assumptions and evaluate outcomes. Mr. Patterson has exceptional project management skills with a successful track record in working across multiple business teams to create scalable solutions to monitor business performance and interpret key performance metrics into actionable recommendations.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I was born in Roswell, New Mexico (alien capital of the world). I have a twin brother and an older sister. I love food, family, the mountains, the beach, and the snow.

I was raised in South and Central America in places like Argentina and Mexico. Both of my parents are aircraft mechanics that grew up ranching and farming; when they found out they could make a living working on aircraft and see the world, they were quick to pursue the opportunity. We moved to Argentina when my twin brother and I were less than one year old, and my parents began our family adventure in a country where they didn’t know the language, didn’t have any friends or family, and with three kids under the age of three. We were exposed to so many different cultures and different ways to live life at a very young age living in South America for so many years and at such a young age. It helped develop and solidify an appreciation for all the benefits, opportunities, and liberties that we have as Americans. Did I mention the food? Latin America has amazing food. 

When we were old enough to go to high school, my parents made the decision to move us back to the United States to Colorado. When we moved to Colorado, I fell in love with the outdoors and became an avid automobile, off-road enthusiast, and experienced enduro motorcycle racer. After graduating high school, I returned to Roswell, New Mexico and I followed our family legacy by attending New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) where I earned an associate’s degree. Military college does not have very good food. But you learn to appreciate something as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dessert.

Following my time at NMMI, I moved to Lubbock, Texas, and became enamored with the wind turbines that were being installed in West Texas; that interest led me to earn a bachelor’s degree in wind energy. On weekends (and some weekdays) my roommate and I would BBQ and cook for all our friends. After taking a little extra time earning my BS in wind energy, I quickly began a career working in oil and gas. While my career did not fully align with my degree, it did align with my passion for engineering and led to pursuing a master of engineering degree from Clemson University and multiple project management assignments around the world in places like Russia and Kazakhstan. That opportunity allowed me to visit other parts of the world like South Korea, Italy, Paris, the U.K., Canada, and many others. 

Throughout my childhood and my professional career, I have always been fascinated with culture, the power of technology, engineering, and innovation. As an avid motorhead and outdoor enthusiast, I’ve come to recognize the value of our environment and the impact society has on the world. It’s also how I learned that the best way to experience a culture is through food.

What sparked your interest in Nexus PMG?

The people. Without a doubt, the people sparked my interest in Nexus PMG. The reputation and the feedback I had been hearing about Nexus PMG led me to take an interest and understand more about what Nexus PMG does. After learning about the company ethos, I wanted to join their pursuit to work in the renewable energy sector making the world a better place, now and for future generations. 

What’s the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?

Develop and mentor your peers. Promote excitement and enthusiasm in the work that we do. Most importantly, train people to take your job.

People would be surprised if they knew:

I speak Spanish fluently and I am a twin. 

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?

The people I work with and the nature of the projects that we are involved in. And, I don’t need to be away from my family and friends on the other side of the world to do my job.

What is your favorite meal?

A delicious green chile bacon cheeseburger from some dark hole in the wall dive bar that no one knows about.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

There are a few:

  • “Embrace the suck.”
  • “Today is a new day.”
  • “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.”

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I participate in Enduro motorcycle racing, work on Toyota Land Cruisers and other performance vehicles, BBQ on weekends, and enjoy living life to the fullest with friends and family. 

If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

If I could switch places with anyone, it would be my dad. I would love for him to have a chance to live a younger life again for a day with less stress and with less worry than he had when he was my age. 

What places have you lived in?

In no specific order: 

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Sao Paolo, Brazil
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Atlanta, Georgia
  • Roswell, New Mexico
  • Lubbock, Texas
  • San Antonio, Texas
  • Houston, Texas
  • Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
  • Chayvo, Russia
  • Atyrau, Kazakhstan
  • Tengiz, Kazakhstan
  • Seattle, Washington

If you could implement one sustainable swap in the world right now, what would it be?

If I could implement one sustainable swap right now, it would be nuclear energy application. While this is a debatable source of sustainable energy, the low impact on the environment has tremendous benefits. With the advancement in nuclear technology, it has become an even more efficient source of energy. 

An alternative to sustainable swap would be the use of agriculture waste in food industry applications. There are multiple ways to take agriculture waste and convert it to use in the food industry, especially around food containers. This could make a significant impact to waste generated by foodservice providers, as well as minimize the amount of municipal solid waste in metropolitan areas. 

What do you think people would be surprised to hear about your job?

When I tell people about my job, they are usually surprised to hear about all of the different types of renewable projects that we are involved in as well as the diversification in the Nexus PMG teams. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t ever give up. When things get hard, take it as an opportunity for growth. There will be people that come in and out of our lives. Filter out those who bring negativity and are not open to different perspectives. Closed-minded people close doors on the world. Work for what you want in life and keep the standard for others. People may want a handout, but they don’t need a handout. Give people the tools to succeed. They will struggle, but the challenge makes the journey worthwhile, and you appreciate what you have even more. When people don’t have to work to survive, they only become more dependent and more of a burden on society. Be the positive change you want to see in the world. 

Meet the rest of the Nexus PMG team.

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