Company: Cenergy International, Houston, TX USA
Company Description: Cenergy is a dynamic company that supplies expert workforce solutions to the oil and gas industry. We provide specialized energy personnel, safety solutions, inspection solutions, logistics and vendor management support. We provide logistics assistance by meeting our clients’ planning, dispatching and tracking needs for marine, air, and ground transportation.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Fastest Growing Company of the Year

Nomination Title: Cenergy International, Houston, TX USA

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated organization since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words). Begin your essay with the following two figures, in percentage terms: Year over year revenue growth: Year over year employee growth:

Founded in 1996, Cenergy International Services provides workforce solutions to the energy industry. Cenergy specializes in placing personnel in oil and gas exploration and production jobs, such as geologists and rig supervisors, as well as support positions such as IT experts and administrators. Cenergy delivers superior customer service and safety by recruiting and placing the right people, with the right knowledge and experience, anywhere in the world. Cenergy has over 1,300 field consultants, working onshore and offshore in 17 countries and on every continent except Antarctica.

Under CEO, and owner June Ressler’s leadership, Cenergy’s revenue grew from $99 million in 2010 to more than $248 million in 2012. The company has over 300 employees, with more than half added in the last three years. The Women Presidents’ Organization, in partnership with American Express OPEN, recently ranked Cenergy as the fifth fastest growing female-led company in North America. This is an astonishing achievement for anyone, but for a women owned company in the energy sector, it is remarkable and worthy of a Stevie Award for Women in Business.

One factor in Cenergy’s success is the rapid response they provided in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Despite also being located in New Orleans, Cenergy moved their headquarters and was up and running immediately, expanding to help the ailing energy industry recover in the wake of the storm. This quick response helped cement Cenergy’s reputation as the leader in its field. As others were laying workers off, Cenergy was hiring the best of the newly available candidates, adding new levels of management experience and expertise.

Another factor is the management style and experience of Ms. Ressler. With a background as an attorney, Ressler is able to negotiate complex contracts with, and understand contractor liability issues for, the world’s largest energy companies. Ressler also understands she is in the people business and takes great efforts to hire the right people, train them well and allow them to take ownership of their work. As a result, despite rapid growth, Cenergy has achieved an outstanding safety record in a very high risk industry.

Ressler makes it a priority to anticipate and understand her customers’ needs, leading to Cenergy’s introduction of new services such as third party vendor management, inspection solutions, training and safety services, and aviation support. The culture of the company is to run lean and pitch in to get the job done, even if what one is asked to do is not what one was initially hired to do. Cenergy maintains the maverick startup culture to run fast and lean, and it is continuing to lead and enjoy fantastic growth in a traditionally male dominated industry. The company expects to double in size again in the next two years!

Cenergy has also been recognized by Inc Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine & Smart Business Houston, and others--perhaps even the Stevie Awards--for their successful rapid growth.

Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 125 words):

June Ressler, Cenergy’s founder, owner, and CEO, is a member of the National Petroleum Council, which advises the U.S. President on energy-related matters. She is also a member of the Women’s Business Council, National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Women Presidents’ Organization, as well as a national founding partner of Women Impacting Public Policy. June was a 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Gulf Coast area. June holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hartford, and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and Louisiana.

At least 50% of the shares in this company are owned by women.