Howard Energy Partners

Let's start with the list of positives:
The people (i.e. everyone but executive management) are what make this company. Lots of talented individuals that I genuinely liked working with. The free lunches on Monday are also great. So ends my list of positives.

The negatives:
Everything negative about this company stems from the executive management team. Each of them loves to get in front of the company and talk about the "core values" and "delivering positive energy." What 95% of the company doesn't see are who they are behind the curtain. Pompous, egotistical, immature (in both age and demeanor), vindictive; the list goes on. Employees who are seen to "not be on board" are immediately targeted and put on the naughty list -- without regard for their actual performance. To be considered a top employee, one must only regurgitate company jargon and do something funny at company functions (I wish I was joking).  

Another review mentioned this, but all you have to do is ask around the industry. This place has a reputation and it's all true. Ask around and do your homework before taking a job here. 

Whether you’re embarking on your first job search or 5th, finding a company that will provide you with great opportunities requires some research. Do your research because honesty and integrity are hard to come by at this place. They put more value in men and offer more opportunities to men than they do women. No matter what you bring to the table or what you do someone will set you up for failure if they feel intimidated by the experience you bring. Transparency in leadership is lacking. Transparency means keeping your employees in the loop, sharing the good and the bad, and welcoming (not ignoring) honest feedback from the members of your team. This is NOT a Top Workplace. Management ignores the feedback provided in those surveys. The "HEP BAD HABITS" starts from the top management and trickles downward. From setting a standard of bad habits to not managing employees properly, this is one of the many casualties for HEP culture.

I've really enjoyed my time at Howard.  The company is growing quickly but manages to keep a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  There are frequent opportunities to grow and take professional development courses.  One of the things I like best about the company is the team focus.  Everyone pitches in to help the team succeed, even if that means doing something that isn't in your job description.  Management is available and open to suggestions.  While employees are held accountable for their projects and responsibilities, they are also given the resources, guidance and authority to get the job done.  The culture is one of collaboration and problem solving, not blaming and finger pointing.  Management is confident in their people and doesn't micro-manage.  Work hours can be long when a project is coming online but managers are good with comp time and schedule flexibility. Benefits are very good with heath, vision, dental, and matching 401K.

Most O&G companies are stuck in the 1980's. Howard is a young company full of young yet experienced employees that find meaning in what they do. The work culture reflects this. There are no calcified org charts; people are expected to cross disciplines and work across different departments to get their jobs done. Admittedly, not everyone is suited for this environment, but most who do well under those circumstances know it and seek out companies like Howard. The hardest part of the job is the highly competitive nature of the industry itself. A lot of capital has entered the energy business in the last decade, and companies have to differentiate based on their ability to control costs and be creative in their deal-making. It is a neverending challenge, yet rising to that challenge on a daily basis can be immensely rewarding.

There was a time when HEP was a good place. When they began being honest with their employees about the state of their company and had their best interest in mind. Then they started growing too big too fast and starting making poor hiring decisions. They are quick to make someone a director or manager, but slow to fill positions where the VP doesn't see value in the employees. Oh, and they love spending money on technology they will never use because they are so set in their old ways. HEP lied to their employees about the health of the company before laying off people. Only for the directors and management who made those layoff decisions to BRAG about how they picked the people they let go of. There is no loyalty there. They lost sight of seeing the value of their employees. Don't work there if that's what your looking for. 

This is a growing company with management problems.  You can't change a person or managers who do not see issues in their actions. The work environment could be better and there is an undefined culture. Management such as HR could be better. There should be a qualified person in this position especially for a company that is growing at the rate that HEP is. This position is for someone who is a people person and can assist employees with questions. When employees rely on each other to understand benefits and learn about leave because they can't get the answers from HR presents problems for the future of the company. 

A good HR manager should walk around and speak with employees not hide in their office.

HEP is a fast paced/growing company.  
It is perfect for those who don't like to do the same day in an day out tasks.    There is always a new project around the corner (IT systems, implementation of regulatory/processes, new capital projects, etc) which allows for both personal and professional growth.    I have so many new experiences and added many tools to my tool belt during my employment.

The culture is laid back and it is indeed a team atmosphere.
I believe people genuinely care about the success of this company and how they directly impact that success.  Employees are valued and that is explicitly expressed by the CEO - Circular.

Howard Energy is quickly becoming a major player in the Midstream Energy market.
The company is growing by leaps and bounds and offers opportunities for growth to it's employees. The work environment is casual, friendly, and welcoming. The salaries and benefits are competitive with market in the San Antonio market. We have a many employee functions and activities and are always giving back to the community. I would recommend it highly if you are interested in an ever evolving, hard working environment and working with others that also know how to have fun.

If you want to work at Howard be prepared to find many employees that should not be in their position. For example the HR manager needs to go. She never takes responsibility for her actions and is never held accountable for her mistakes. The VP of RoW has no clue what is happening yet he's a VP. How do they continue to be in these positions as leaders but have no business in them. Senior Leaders pay attention before you lose good employees due to these bad managers.

Howard Energy Partners is a great place to work.  The staff are great to work with, Management is engaging, and the atmosphere is laidback and casual.  You get to wear jeans every day and there are a ton of benefits and perks.  We also have A LOT of fun!  There are many celebrations, throughout the year that allow you to stop and appreciate the dynamic, fun and involved culture here at Howard.  I would recommend to anyone that if you are lucky to get a job at Howard – take it!!

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