Women in business: Jennifer Armand
July 30, 2013
Women in Business: Stephanie Hebert
July 30, 2013
Very few oil and gas industry businesses are owned, or in this case co-owned, by women, but one of those few is right here in Houma.
“In the beginning, it was a challenge,” said Lori Davis, co-owner of Rig-Chem. “It was difficult. You have to be accepted and prove you are serious, knowledgeable and experienced. That’s very important. You have to have the tenacity to work in this environment.”
Since she and her sister Penny Molina took over the family business from their parents in 2002, Davis has watched the number of young women working in the oil and gas industry grow, and Davis offered her top tips for making it in the male-dominated field.
“No one can change who you are,” she said. “You have to earn respect and be consistent in your beliefs and actions. That is really key, especially for women in this industry. Your reputation is yours to control. It is easy to damage if you are not careful. Be respected for who you are.
“My advice to young women that want to work in industry? Never compromise yourself. Be the best you can be. I hope that by being in the industry, I encourage more young women to join the business. My daughter-in-law handles our marketing, and she is doing a great job.”
Davis’ son Corey Polk and a cousin also work at the company, and Davis credits her family affair for keeping her at the top of her game.
“It’s important to have a support system, and my family is one,” Davis said. “My cousin tried to retire on me, but we talked her out of it for another year. Many of our employees have been with us for many years. It’s a great group of people. Without them, it would be impossible to do all the things I do.”
In addition to her family network, Davis said that a good insurance agent, good banker, good financial planner and good lawyer are important to a good business model.
“You might not need them on an everyday basis, but they are the foundation of a good business and they are important,” Davis said. “They guide you when needed.”
Davis’ years of experience have not only earned her a spot at the top of her family’s company, but they also secured her the title of the first female president of the South Central Industrial Association.
“I was surprised when they named me to the board four years ago, but I can’t say I was shocked when they named me president,” Davis said. “SCIA is such a great organization. It’s very progressive. They bring people into the group, put them on committees and work you through the ranks. There is a natural progression of moving through the board positions. I knew there would come a time when I would be president.”
SCIA Executive Director Jane Arnette is one of Davis’ most admired mentors, and Davis is thrilled to have Arnette by her side as she leads the organization.
“Jane was threatening to retire, and I told her she couldn’t until after I had been president,” Davis said. “She is wonderful. She has a tremendous amount of resources and knowledge. She got me ready to be president. There is also a lot of knowledge and experience on the board. They help guide me, keep me focused and educate me.”
As she continues to lead her own company and the SCIA’s 200-plus member firms, Davis will maintain her industry status by planning for the future and building and fostering work relationships.
“It’s such a competitive environment,” she said. “Know your focus, have a plan and build relationships. Those things will help you in the future. It’s a very relationship-oriented business. Don’t burn bridges. You never know where other people will be in the future.”
