Bios

John McNevin

Managing Partner
EnCORE

John McNevin has focused his over 40 year career on helping major corporations transform their business processes and revolutionizing industries through the creative use of technology. Most of his career was spent in the “Big 4” at Accenture, Managing Partner of the Houston office at Ernst and Young, and as Head of Systems at Tenneco. John also was the founder and CEO of EnFORM ; a highly successful “Big 4” style consulting firm. His entire career has been dedicated to applying leading edge technologies to major corporations and “cutting through silos” of people, processes, and technology to achieve enterprise wide and often industry changing results. Examples include:

Standardized engineering methods, tools, communications, and processes across all of Bechtel’s engineering disciplines and division (over 60,000 engineers). Engineers could share designs and talent across Bechtel’s operating units and divisions on a global basis. It revolutionized Bechtel’s engineering processes and how the entire company was organized and conducted business.

Led the effort to completely transform the Pipeline Division of Tenneco into the a deregulated company through the creative use of technology as the catalyst. The first completely integrated system in the pipeline industry resulted in revolutionizing the Pipeline industry and was instrumental in establishing a whole new market in the trading industry.

Helped Panhandle Eastern be first to market with the pipeline industry’s first ever Bulletin Board for industry-wide communication of deregulated transactions. The effort put Panhandle Eastern on the map as the industry leader for years. We leveraged the solution to the entire industry and at one time had 35% of all U.S. gas transactions flowing through our systems.

All of these efforts had a common theme of standardizing data and using technology to cut through silos of organizations, processes, and technology to achieve can’t miss enterprise results that truly transformed companies and entire industries. John has always looked for ways to reduce the cost of enterprise wide initiatives through the use of architected solutions and world class talent at affordable prices. He has the “secret sauce” on how to marry a business strategy to process and technology solutions. In “today’s world” the “secret sauce” is how to use advanced analytics to help his clients achieve the absolute best insight into a facts based strategy and achieve maximum results by using his “time tested” methods, architected solutions, and team to deliver “can’t miss” solutions.


Cliff Denson

Executive Partner – Client Services
EnCORE

Mr. Denson has extensive experience helping companies transform their business with technology. Throughout his career he has led implementations of complex/integrated business solutions with a focus on aligning business processes with solution configuration, customizations, and integration. He has also worked closely with business and IT executives to align organizations for improved performance and execution. He has experience across multiple technical architectures (mainframe, client-server, Web, and Cloud). He excels at delivering and supporting complex business solutions that align with set expectations for budget, timeliness, and quality. He also has experience implementing comprehensive IT outsourcing solutions helping IT organizations establish cost effective data center management processes.  Cliff has worked primarily in the Energy and Technology industries.

Proven areas of expertise include:

  • Project Management
  • Organizational Management
  • IT Financial Management
  • Vendor Management
  • Large Scale Implementations
  • Cost/Benefit Analysis
  • Application Integration Design and Development
  • Traditional and Agile Methodologies
  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Process Design
  • Business Analytics
  • Data Center Management
  • Help Desk Implementation
  • Change Management
  • SLA Design and Implementation
  • IT Service Management

Cliff has held leadership positions at Ernst & Young, Hewlett-Packard & Compaq, nGenera, and Quorum Business Solutions primarily focused on delivering comprehensive solutions helping organizations transform their business processes and realize returns on their IT investments. As an experienced project director, he has combined using best practices for project planning and implementation with building high-performance teams to deliver solutions that align with client expectations.

While at Ernst & Young, Cliff focused building and implementing applications supporting a variety of industries and business processes. Notably working with Gas Pipeline companies to build new applications required to align business processes with new regulations established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

After leaving Ernst & Young, he joined Compaq Computers to lead several initiatives to improve Product Management, Supply Chain, and Business Analytic functions. After HP acquired Compaq, he transitioned to HP Managed Services to lead Transformation Services projects to implement processes and technology required for HP to manage large, complex data center functions for its customers.

While at Quorum Business Solutions as Strategic Account Executive, he was responsible for aligning client business and technology strategies for Upstream and Midstream energy companies with Quorum solutions and leading teams to successfully implement and upgrade software solutions.

He holds a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.


Donald Moore

Executive Chairman
EnCORE

Donald Moore, retired (December 2013) Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, has over 40 years of experience in the Energy Industry in the areas of E&P, mining, refining, marketing and distribution, and midstream operations. Don was responsible for the strategic planning and application of global information technology and also oversaw geoscience and engineering systems, field and plant automation, information and record management, real estate and facility management, and global travel services for Occidental’s worldwide oil and gas, chemicals, pipeline, and energy marketing and trading operations.

From 1993-1998, Moore served as Vice President of Information Technology with Occidental’s natural gas pipeline and marketing subsidiary, MidCon Corp., which was sold to KN Energy in 1998. Moore was then named Vice President and Chief Information Officer of KN Energy/Kinder Morgan. He returned to Oxy as it’s CIO in fall of 1999. Previously in his career, Moore served as Director of Information Systems of Island Creek Coal Corp.; Manager of E&P and NGL Systems for OXYUSA; and System Manager, Refining, Marketing & Transportation for Cities Services Company.

Moore holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Tulsa and he is active in energy related professional organizations, Corporate Advisory Boards, and business development opportunities, and charitable organizations.


Earl Lambert

Executive Partner – Retail Power
EnCORE

Mr. Lambert has gained over 40 years of experience in the Information Technology industry serving as a partner for Ernst & Young, CIO for both private and public companies, and the CTO for the City of Houston. His experience spans multiple industries ranging from banking to energy and the public sector. He has led major projects that transformed key business processes with new technology. Some of the highlights of his career include:

Implementing innovative currency processing equipment to automate labor intensive processes, eliminate redundant work processes, and improve operational security.

Designing and leading the development of an Activity-Based Costing systems for a major transportation company. The system played a key role in supporting tariff restructuring and obtaining government approval for the changes.

As CIO for an energy trading company, led the development of one of the first power trading systems

In conjunction with the CEO, guided development of a fully integrated commodity trading system that automated contract administration, established effective risk management reporting, seamlessly managed trading positions from the initial trade, through scheduling, and the settlement process. The integrated solution improved controls over the trading function and streamlined back office operations and reduced administrative costs.

Working closely with plant personnel to automate balancing a complex batch processing process in a refinery operation, which eliminated delays in identifying imbalances.

Provided executive management over development of an inventory management and scheduling system that replaced complex spreadsheets that could not effectively support the growth of the enterprise.

Successfully implemented an ERP system for a 25,000 employee entity with 12 diverse lines of business responsible for constructing and maintaining 18,000 lane-miles of roadway, managing over $5 billion of assets and serving as land-lord to major airlines, operating 13 healthcare facilities, inspecting all restaurants in a 640 square mile area, providing water services to over 600,000 customers, managing over $500 million of firefighting vehicles and over 2,000 fire-fighters, and over 5,000 police officers.

Served of business architect and executive manager for the automation of the largest municipal court system in the country. The new system automated complex workflows, integrated Electronic Document Management tools, and enhances the court’s ability to manage over 2.5 million new cases each year.

Assisted a major financial institution with its initial introduction of Big Data tools and the introduction of advanced analytics.

As an Executive Partner with EnCORE, Mr. Lambert’s focus is on helping clients articulate their vision for transforming their business processes, architecting the technology solution, and applying his unique concepts for gaining buy-in and support for his client’s transformation initiatives.


MediumCalvinCobbCalvin B. Cobb, PhD

Executive Partner – Downstream
EnCORE

Dr. Cobb began his career with the Corporate Engineering Department of Monsanto Company where he served in engineering and software development and marketing roles. Joining The Pace Company Consultants & Engineers in 1974, he began his long consulting career. A senior group of consultants from Pace formed Wright Killen & Co. and he joined as President in 1982. During the next 14 years Cobb directed Wright Killen to success as one of the premier consulting firms serving refining and chemical clients. He engineered the sale of Wright Killen to Ernst & Young in 1996. As a Partner of Ernst & Young he led various practices for the firm including North American energy and chemicals. Later he was Vice President and General Manager of Invensys Process Systems and established and led the firm’s Global Hydrocarbons consulting business from 2003 until his retirement in 2005.

He is known throughout the energy and chemical industry as a strategy expert. During his 40-year career he has consulted for a wide range of clients spanning the entire field of business activities in the industry. He has been associated with over 2000 engagements covering a broad array of subjects. Wright Killen served most of the refining and chemical companies over its history and Dr. Cobb was responsible for securing business for the firm and leading significant consulting engagements.

Dr. Cobb has published over 70 articles dealing with all aspects of the hydrocarbon industries. As a frequent invited speaker at industry conferences and meetings, his subjects concentrate on strategy, business transformation, and value creation in the industries served by his firm.

Dr. Cobb received Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in chemical engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology in 1964, 1965, and 1967. Dr. Cobb was awarded the Professional Degree of Chemical Engineer in 1986 by his alma mater in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the field and the 1995 Alumni Achievement Award. In 2001, he received a Doctor of Engineering Honoris Causa degree and was the university’s commencement speaker. He was awarded the Chancellors Medal in 2007 as the university’s undergraduate and graduate commencement speaker. It is the highest honor his school can bestow on a graduate.

Dr. Cobb is active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and was the 2001 President of the organization. He served as National Director in 1995-97. Dr. Cobb received AIChE’s Fuels and Petrochemical Division Award in 1995 and the Marketing Division Award in 1986. He is past chair of AIChE’s Institute for Sustainability.

In the North Houston community, he serves as Chairman of the Board for the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts.


MediumCalvinCobbJim Dudley

Executive Partner – Hydrocarbon Processing, Project Development, Process Technologies

Jim’s career experiences have been in operating companies, boutique and major consulting and advisory firms, and EPC/Technology businesses: ExxonMobil – Wright Killen & Co. – Ernst & Young – KBC Advanced Technologies – Stone & Webster, The Shaw Group Power, Energy & Chemicals – SK Engineering & Construction. Independent consulting and advisory.

Jim has lead teams in settings spanning from process plants to the board room. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineer and an MBA.

He has worked in many functional areas: Management, Operations, P&L Oversight, Business Development, Project Development, Financial Structuring Support, Transaction & Due Diligence Advisory, Technology Assessments. Asset Portfolio Analysis, Marketing, Client Interface Management.

Jim’s most recent work has included: Strategic planning basis for international oil company; Grass-roots project development for new technology based renewable fuel production; Market development for advanced nano-composite materials.


MediumCalvinCobb

Bill Hunter

Director of Innovation & Collaboration
EnCORE

Bill is ENCORE’s Director of Innovation & Collaboration. He has over thirty years of experience in organizational and process design, collaborative decision-making, business transformation, and implementation and management of computer systems.

He has held leadership positions in restructuring of the electricity and natural gas industries in North American and Europe, and he has broad industry experience in energy, and utilities.

He is also a Certified Transformational Coach.


Santi Darmodjo

Executive Partner – Transformation Services
EnCORE

Santi Darmodjo has over 25 years of consulting, operations, and entrepreneurial experience.  She specializes in strategic operations alignment, go-to-market readiness, executive coaching for organizational growth, and organization culture development.  She was a key member of Ernst & Young’s energy practice, co-founded and ran her own software company, and has served as Chief Operating Officer for software and consulting companies.  Her experience has given her an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing service and technology organizations and hands-on experience in implementing organizational transformation.

Darmodjo holds a BA in Computer Science and a MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.
Specialties Industry Experience:

  • Business Strategy & Transformation
  • Technology/Software
  • Operations Alignment
  • Consulting Service Delivery
  • Go-to-Market Readiness
  • Manufacturing
  • Organization & Process Design
  • Energy Upstream Exploration
  • Organization Culture Development
  • Energy Midstream Operations
  • Executive & Organization Coaching
  • Energy Deregulation
  • Talent Management & Development
  • Retail

Craig Phillips

Solution Partner – Global Resources
EnCORE

Craig Phillips is Volia Software’s Chief Executive Officer. He has more than 30 years of experience working closely with clients helping companies improve performance through information systems planning, development, and integration. As a former Ernst & Young Partner and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Vice President, Phillips led the Energy, Utilities, and Chemicals Technology practice and provided Information Management leadership for the company. He is experienced serving clients across industries including commercial software, oil & gas, utilities, and consumer products. Phillips helped found Volia Software in 2003 serving first as its Chief Operating Officer, then Chief Executive Officer in 2008.

Phillips holds a double major in Management and Economics from Rice University.


George Danner

Solution Partner – Advanced Analytics
EnCORE

George Danner is President of Business Laboratory, LLC, an award winning consultancy that uses the very latest scientific techniques and methods to improve the performance of mid-size and large organizations through problem-solving, the optimization of existing practices and advanced forecasting.  He is the author of the forthcoming book about business problem solving, “Profit From Science”, published by Macmillan.

George specializes in the application of agent-based simulation modeling, Monte Carlo simulation, System Dynamics, Game Theory, Visualization, and Real Options to some of the world’s most difficult and complex business strategy problems.

George has 29 years of experience in corporate strategy, specifically operational and financial analysis, across a wide variety of industries: manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, transportation and financial services.

Prior to founding Business Laboratory, George held executive positions at nGenera Corporation, Industrial Science LLC (as founder) and Arthur Andersen. Business Laboratory clients include BP, Sun Microsystems, Schlumberger, Manpower, Target Stores, AstraZeneca, TIAA-CREF, NationalGrid (UK), TD Ameritrade, Schlumberger, and the US Navy.

George holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.