Everett E. Shissler

Corporate Environmental Manager (T.D. Williamson Inc.)
Senior Member of the Advisory Board

Biography

Everett Shissler is the Corporate Environmental Manager for T.D. Williamson, Inc., a builder of equipment for petroleum pipelines, gas mains, and plant piping. His responsibilities extend to all the corporations’ facilities, so he travels frequently in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Mr. Shissler began his career as a financial operations auditor with Standard Oil. Three years later he joined TDW as a project engineer at the Tulsa Manufacturing Plant, where his projects included the development of a cost accounting system, the building of a pipeline and pump station, and the construction of TDW’s Corporate Headquarters in Tulsa. When he was promoted to Supervisor of Manufacturing Engineering, he writes, “I realized how my industrial engineering education had prepared me to deal with the many disciplines involved in designing, manufacturing, and coordinating the company’s activities. My systems skills, the ability to see the big picture, and the ability to deal with other managers--a combination unique in my workplace--drew the attention of top management.” He was soon promoted to Plant Superintendent. During his time at this position, he became interested in the environmental issues faced by the corporation. After taking evening courses to become a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, he was offered his current position at TDW’s corporate office.

Mr. Shissler considers his industrial engineering degree the catalyst for his success. “Without my industrial engineering degree, none of this would have happened. It is because of my IE education that I was able to grasp the overall picture of finance, engineering, and human factors. As I talked with people who had responsibilities for large operations, they would usually be impressed with my ability to review their data, put it all together, and discuss pertinent issues with them. On more than one occasion I was asked what my college degree was in and they were impressed when I told them I was an industrial engineer.” For students considering a major in IE, he offers this comment: “If the student likes working with people and likes getting involved in a variety of disciplines, then industrial engineering is a great starting place!”