November 2024 Vol. 79 No. 11
Features
AGA’s Sames bids farewell after 20 years
By Michael Reed, Contributing Editor
After nearly 20 years, Christina Sames is stepping away from her role as senior vice president of Operations & Engineering for the American Gas Association (AGA).
As one of industry’s foremost experts on pipeline safety, Sames has been a staunch supporter of natural gas infrastructure, addressing Congress as recently as May on the need to improve pipeline safety through the reauthorization of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety programs.
“As pipeline safety reauthorization legislation is drafted this year, AGA encourages Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion to move reasonable and consensus changes to pipeline safety law and regulation, support PHMSA’s primary role as pipeline safety regulator and recognize the great strides in pipeline safety engineering and operating practices that pipeline companies are putting into practice across the country,” she said.
In this role at AGA, the Pennsylvania State University graduate also worked with stakeholders to improve safety, reliability and efficiency through sound regulation and legislation, best practices programs, peer-to-peer reviews, forums to exchange information and the development of materials on gas operations, security, environmental issues, underground storage and other topics related to the delivery of natural gas.
Her wealth of experience extends to having worked for Pipeline Research Council International and the Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety, as well as AGA.
In this interview, Sames discusses some of the changes she has seen in the industry during her career, the challenges of replacing aging infrastructure, her management style and what part of her job she considered the most fun.
What led you to choose the energy industry for your career? Did a particular event or person influence that decision?
When I entered college, I knew that I wanted to be an engineer but did not know what kind. I started in nuclear engineering and realized quickly that it was not the field for me.
So, I went through Penn State’s Blue Book, which listed and described every degree you could obtain. I thought Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering sounded interesting and was fortunate to get into a class led by a drilling rig “roughneck” turned professor. His name was Carl Sherman, and his passion for the industry told me I was in the right field!
You’ve been at AGA for 20 years, after spending time with both PRCI and the DOT. What have the biggest changes to the industry and AGA been during that period?
Both technology and regulations have changed dramatically over my 34-year career. When I began my career at DOT’s Office of Pipeline Safety, there were no risk-based regulations. Everything was prescriptive and did not account for the uniqueness of each operating system. Now we have a balance of prescriptive and risk-based regulations.
I think that is a good thing. Moving to technology, many things that we now rely on didn’t exist when my career began. Our leak detection technologies were simplistic handheld devices. We now have remote, mobile, aerial and satellite leak detection technologies. In-line inspection was just a concept and GIS was in its infancy.
Natural gas production did not include hydraulic fracturing — the technology that made the U.S. the largest producer of natural gas in the world, while keeping our natural gas prices affordable and stable. I have seen significant technological advancements in virtually every aspect of our industry, from pipe materials and construction practices to risk modeling and predictive analytics.
I’ll also note that when I began my career, the Common Ground Alliance and 811 (the U.S. hotline that allows people to have underground infrastructure marked before they dig) did not exist. While not technologies, both are helping to drive down excavation damage — the leading cause of natural gas distribution incidents.
What kind of an economic challenge has it become to your member companies to replace aging infrastructure that does not necessarily bring in new customers, as compared to earlier in your career?
We’re actually seeing the opposite! Due to the industry’s partnership with PHMSA, I have seen an increase in the replacement of distribution pipes that might be nearing the end of their useful life.
Providing critical expertise to PHMSA and other government agencies so they can make informed decisions on our industry is a key part of AGA’s role as a trade association. It’s a role that helps government and industry work together more effectively, as demonstrated by our success in increasing pipeline replacements.
How would you characterize your management style? Did it evolve over the years as the workplace changed?
I’ve been told I have a unique management style. I feel my job as a manager is to grow leaders. I want my team to think and come up with solutions to challenges rather than tell them what I think is the solution. That’s not to say I won’t give them my suggestions, but there are many times their approach is better than what I would have suggested before the conversation.
I am also a “roll up my sleeves to get the work done” person. I would rather take on the work of others to ease the burden on the team than sit by and see people struggle with the workload. And I hope that those that have worked for me will say that I manage with respect, kindness and a desire to make a difference.
What part of your job do you consider most fun on a day-to-day basis?
That’s easy: working with the amazing people at AGA and in our industry. It’s often overlooked how many people in this industry see their work as part of a bigger mission. The energy we provide helps to make modern life possible. It’s the basis for the fertilizers that grow our food.
The work we do to keep costs low keeps low-income families warm in the winter. Low-cost natural gas saves about 12,500 American lives each winter just by making heating more affordable. The people I work with care deeply about the work they do and are a pleasure to work with.
What part of your job is most challenging?
I’ve greatly enjoyed my career, but I’m looking forward to having fewer constraints on my time and more freedom to plan. I’m frequently on the road. As interesting as many of the events I go to are, it will be nice to be able to spend more time with loved ones.
What do you consider your most important achievement at AGA?
Do I have to narrow it to just one thing? There is a lot that I’m proud of! To start, I’m exceedingly proud of the leaders I have helped create at all levels. I consider it a compliment when companies recruit — or try to recruit — someone from my team. Beyond people, I think it would be the creation of AGA’s Peer Review and Virtual Assessment Program.
This program allows natural gas companies to be reviewed by their peers on a wide variety of topics and to hear their peers’ perspectives on what the company is doing well and where it has opportunities to improve. I know that program is raising the bar on the entire industry because I have seen the changes implemented when I return to a company for a follow-up peer review.
I am also proud of our work to advance safety and security, including our annual Executive Leadership Safety Summit, Best Practices Program, cyber- and physical security initiatives, National Mutual Aid Program, our efforts to advance Pipeline Safety Management Systems, and of course our events and publications. I truly believe these efforts have helped companies advance their safety and security initiatives.
Do you have an opinion on why distribution utilities seem to show more gender and ethnic diversity than other sectors of the energy industry?
I think many distribution companies try to mirror the communities they serve. The preexisting relationship they have with their communities gives them an advantage in hiring, because people already are familiar with the company.
The company name is on their natural gas bill, but that’s not the only place they’re likely to know it from. AGA member companies are active in their communities. They sponsor little league games, community cleanups, charities and assistance to those in need. Those connections make it easier for AGA member companies to look like the communities they serve.
What do you plan on doing to occupy your time during retirement?
I have a list! At the top of the list is quality time with family and friends. One family member that I know will be getting more of my time is our new — and first — granddaughter, Elliana. I’m also helping our eldest daughter with her wedding plans (she’s getting married in October). There’s also travel, reading, gardening and figuring out where my husband and I will be moving on to.
I am looking forward to living outside of the D.C. bubble. Last but not least, after spending decades working long hours, I plan to try a concept I’ve heard of called “sleep.” I’ll let you know how that goes!
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