The Anderson File
Darron Anderson, CEO, Express Energy Services
Born: Corpus Christi, Texas
Education: Graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in petroleum engineering. He worked for Chevron right out of college and also started his own business in 1998. Through those experiences and the people he met and learned from, he says that’s how he earned his “homemade” MBA.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My very first job was mowing lawns in my neighborhood at the age of 13. That really taught me the satisfaction and joy of being an entrepreneur. It also taught me to have a good work ethic.
What is the best piece of business advice that you have received?
What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get managed. I’ve taken that adage and used it tangibly to make sure we measure things that we want managed but not just making sure we measure them but making sure we communicate them.
Who do you look up to or respect most in business?
Jim Woods, the former chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes. Mr. Woods was on the board of directors of the first company that I sold, and he has been a great mentor. You look at a company of the caliber and size that he ran and to be able to have him give you advice about how he looked at things was totally invaluable. He is the person I’ve learned the most from and have the highest respect for.”
If you could do something dangerous one time with no risk at all, what would it be and why?
I am not a racecar fan, but I would want to try driving a racecar in an actual race. It requires split-second decisions, you’re moving extremely fast, there’s a side of gut feeling, an amount of technical know-how and that would be an amazing experience.
