ROBERT J. KEITH
**** ****** **** *** • Navasota, Texas 77868 • *********@*****.*** • 281-***-****
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT: OIL & GAS SUBSEA SERVICES
Operations Leadership ~ Sales & Business Development ~ Strategic Planning
Accomplished operations executive with 20+ years of experience developing business and directing subsea
operations and commercial services for the oil & gas industry. Proven history galvanizing sales growth by
establishing and managing projects and relationships with BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Petrobras,
Anadarko, and many more. Track record of success launching new service lines and driving growth into key
worldwide markets.
Core Competencies
Team Building & Leadership Organizational Restructuring International Operations P&L Management
Business Transformation Contract Execution Service Delivery Project & Program Management
Strategic Alliance Development Negotiations Asset Management Client & Vendor Relations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
OCEANWORKS INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Houston, Texas 2011–Present
Privately owned international subsea engineering firm with over 100 employees in offices in Houston, Vancouver, and Perth
General Manager, Houston (2011–Present)
Personally involved in all areas of the company, managing sales, engineering, fabrication, quality and safety on
a daily basis. Reporting directly to the CEO, with regional P&L authority, instrumental in the management of
a $6.6M in engineering and fabrication projects for large multi-national contractors.
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Houston, Texas 2007–2011
Employee-owned underwater services firm with 250 employees across 7 U.S. locations with $75M in annual revenue.
Vice President, Oil & Gas Group (2008–2011)
Led 5-person team with 75 total resources in all aspects of oil & gas sector sales, marketing, business
development, bid/proposal delivery, and operations. Crafted and executed strategic operations, market
development, and service line growth plans. Fostered strategic vendor relationships. Defined pricing
structures for bids and proposals. Prepared and presented financial performance and marketing status reports
to senior leadership. Managed $27M sector P&L.
Launched new Subsea P&A business line as emerging market pioneer.
Positioned Phoenix as prestigious industry leader by developing value proposition focusing on high-
quality services and world-class safety record boasting total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of just 0.59
with zero lost time accidents (LTAs) spanning more than 40K hours of in-water operations.
Propelled 12% improvement in performance by incorporating effective policies and project procedures.
Business Development Manager, Subsea Projects Group (2007–2008)
Directed business development initiatives to market MPSV Havila Phoenix and other vessels services.
Qualified prospective clients and project opportunities. Created and presented capabilities proposals to client
leadership. Forged relationships with alliance partners. Developed sales and marketing collateral. Planned
sales and marketing budgets.
Initiated high-profile sponsorship opportunities to reach strategic target market decision makers.
Continued...
ROBERT J. KEITH
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*********@*****.*** • 281-***-****
OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Houston, Texas 2005–2007
Global provider of engineered services focusing on deepwater applications for the oil & gas industry with nearly $2B in sales.
Worldwide ROV Recruitment & Training Manager/BP Account Manager
Designed and delivered comprehensive ROV operator recruitment and training program to support
expanding global operations, successfully attracting candidates from related international technical disciplines.
Hand-picked to manage new $100M subsea decommissioning project for BP with removal of 7 storm-
damaged platforms.
SONSUB INTERNATIONAL, INC. – Houston, Texas 1987–2005
Provider of subsea and hazardous environment engineering services specializing in energy extraction and offshore construction
fields, deepwater ROV development, and underwater problem resolution tools.
President & CEO Americas (2003–2005)
Led 6-person senior executive team in Americas operations with 250 total employees. Devised and
implemented sales, business development, services, finance, and HR strategies. Oversaw manufacturing,
engineering, ROV operations, and health, safety, and environmental programs. Managed corporate P&L.
Fueled record-setting performance growth, surpassing $200M in revenue for year-end 2004.
Crafted strategy to market Completion Workover Riser solution that netted $2.1M in profits from BP.
Earned Board of Directors approval to negotiate and execute multi-year support contracts for build out
of 2 new ROV/Light Construction Support vessels.
Provided strategic engineering and operational support for oil recovery activities after Prestige tanker
wreck.
Senior Vice President, Operations & Commercial Americas (2002–2003)
Selected by President & CEO to serve as Acting COO for all commercial services and operations throughout
the Americas region. Oversaw Vice Presidents of Commercial, Operations, and Assets.
Captured and managed 3-year, $15.3M ROV support contracts with BP with $2M in incremental options.
Collaborated with Senior VP of Engineering to build Innovators 11–17, sourcing volume vendor
agreements that generated 20% in cost savings.
Designed and implemented robust ROV training and competency program called QUALS.
Launched recognition-based awards framework that boosted performance and productivity of offshore
teams.
Regional Manager Asia Pacific (1998–2002)
Managed all facets of operations throughout the Asia–Pacific region, including commercial services, supply
chain and logistics, as well as health, safety, and environmental program administration . Oversaw recruitment,
training, and management of up to 100 regional personnel. Planned and managed regional P&L. Supported
China expansion.
Overhauled organizational infrastructure, eliminating poor performers and revitalizing and reclaiming
relations with regional clientele to increase regional market share and grow revenue to $9M with $1M in
net profit.
Spearheaded proposal development that secured bid award with Exxon Australia, directing flexible
flowline tie-back installation during active drilling operations in Bass Strait.
Initiated and led continuous process improvement programs.
Continued...
ROBERT J. KEITH
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*********@*****.*** • 281-***-****
Business Development & Alliance Manager (1996–1998)
Established relationships with deepwater operators. Maintained relationships and served as primary contact
for 5 contracts with Shell Offshore and their subsidiaries. Coordinated projects and supported contract
negotiations, pricing, and issue resolution to bolster client relations.
Operations Manager & ROV Supervisor/Superintendent (1987–1996)
Coordinated ROV systems operations for leading global oil centers. Selected to direct Australian operations
with 6 concurrent contracts and up to 50 team resources. Managed supplier relations, acquisition/control, and
service workshop environment.
** ** ** ** **
Also served as ROV Services Manager for Underwater Systems Australia, as ADS Supervisor for Oceaneering International,
and as ROV Pilot Technician & Supervisor for Solus Ocean Systems.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Associate of Science in Marine Science Technology
Florida Institute of Technology – Jensen Beach, Florida
Professional Development
Rice University Leading High-Performance Teams & Train the Trainer Programs
Rick Allan & Associates Real-World Selling Seminar
Offshore Safety & Survival Course
ROV Pilot/Technician Course
Enviro Safe HAZWOPER Intensive Training & Refresher Training
Affiliations
Marine Technology Society, Houston Section Past Chairman
MTS ROV Committee Past Co-Chair
Marine Advanced Technology & Education Center Advisor
NSF National Visiting Committee
International Marine Contractors Association, Past Regional ROV Sub-Group Chair & Regional TCPC Chair
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Current Deepwater Subsea Industry. Presented at 2009 Marine Advanced Technology & Education Summer Seminar.
The Last Word. UnderWater Magazine. March/April 2003.
Current State of ROV Technology in Industry. Presented at USN’s 2002 Submarine Technology Symposium.
Mid-Size ROVs and Their Place in Industry. Presented at Underwater Intervention, February 1997.
Multifunction Remotely Operated Workskid Reduces Surface Dependency. Petroleum Engineer. October 1996.
Recovery of TROV S4. SubNotes. November 1989.