A Builder + A Problem Solver = Cleve Hogarth

Cleve Hogarth has always prided himself as a problem solver and a builder. Along with integrity, can there be any traits more important to someone in the oil and gas business?

Hogarth, Managing Director of Quorum Business Solutions, Inc. in Houston, has represented the oil and gas industry from the operations side as well as the service-provider side. With each step up the ladder, his reputation as a knowledgeable, trustworthy business manager has preceded him. A fertile mind is always at work behind that friendly smile and firm handshake.

In an interview with P&GJ, the affable Canadian, who is also an adept listener, describes a career that seemingly was meant to be.

P&GJ: Where did you grow up and what were some of your interests?
Hogarth: I was born and raised predominantly in western Canada. My father was a petroleum geologist with Shell so we transferred frequently among Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Houston, several times each. One of my life-long interests is building – turning an idea or concept into reality. Initially, it was tree forts and go-carts, then cars and home renovations, eventually business transactions, processes and organizations. I attended University of Calgary and York University majoring in Political Science.

P&GJ: What led you to get into the energy industry and what was your career path that led to your current position?
Hogarth: Given my father’s career and the fact that I lived in energy-centric locations, it was natural for me to gravitate to the energy industry. My initial industry involvement was in oil and gas facility EPC and operations in western Canada.

In the mid ’80s, I became an early entrant into the newly deregulated natural gas marketing business. I spent nine years as a gas marketer, mostly with TransCanada Pipeline’s marketing affiliate, transferring between Toronto, Houston and Calgary. In the mid ’90s, I moved into the service-provider side of the business with a gas-management software system start-up. Since then, I have been with a series of oil and gas management information technology companies, culminating in my current position as Managing Director at Quorum Business Solutions.

Moving across to the other side of the table was not a huge change because I continue to work in the industry and I am able to conduct business with many clients whom I dealt with previously in my gas-marketing capacity.

P&GJ: How have you seen the energy business change since you began, especially the role of the service company in relation to operators?
Hogarth: The energy industry is much more sophisticated in how it manages the business today. Stakeholder interests (customers, counterparties, employees, investors) are balanced and translated into goals and objectives. Decision making is largely supported by information and analysis.

Service providers now play a legitimate, valued role in the business, allowing energy operators to focus on their core competencies and realize improved economic efficiencies.

Hogarth: In information technology, it is rarely the technology itself that is the driver. How current technologies are practically applied to improve business management is more important that the technology itself.