Profile: Keeping Pace with the Changing Landscape of Automation | AIChE

You are here

Profile: Keeping Pace with the Changing Landscape of Automation

Profile
April
2018
images

Reflecting on a career in the oil industry that has spanned more than four decades, Steve Elwart, the Director of Systems Engineering at Ergon Refining, finds that many of the positive changes in industry have occurred on the human side of engineering, rather than the technical side. “I have seen an increased emphasis in environmental and safety awareness,” he says. “Regarding safety, it used to be considered ‘unmanly’ to be safe, to use fall protection, to ask for help lifting things. That has changed for the better.” Elwart has also seen industry benefit over the years from an increasing number of female engineers.

“Now, we are going through what I call ‘The Great Shift Change.’ Millennials are firmly ensconced in the workplace and Gen-Xers are taking on management roles,” he says. “It is the role of the Boomer to offer guidance to these new workers and to share with them the 30+ years of experience they have on the job.”

Providing guidance is one of the most important aspects of Elwart’s job. He helps guide the company toward new automation technologies and information technology (IT) solutions. He also serves as a mentor for new employees who are joining the company...

Would you like to access the complete CEP Article?

No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.

You have completed 0 of 2 steps.

  1. Log in

    You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.

  2. AIChE Membership

    You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.

Copyright Permissions 

Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.

Features