Jayme is an innovative business leader with demonstrated success in building companies, M&A and has been described as one of the most effective relationship builders in the industry. Jayme is one of the founders of Rubicon Oilfield International and now the Executive Vice President of Business Development & Strategy at Varel Energy Solutions. Jayme started his career as a pro athlete, playing for a major league baseball team. You will find out how he transitioned from the professional athletics to the oilfield and helped to create a globally integrated, high performing, upstream casing equipment business that was recently sold to Innovex Downhole Solutions in 2019. 

Jayme starts off by describing his childhood and how his father was a huge influence in his life. A professional baseball player himself, Jayme had big shoes to fill. Although he didn’t feel the pressure he still felt the need to perform. Early on Jayme was a shining star and received a scholarship to Rice University. He talks about his time as a college athlete and transitioning toprofessional baseball. 

 Jayme stood out from his fellow teammates, he knew there was more beyond baseball and at some point he was going to have to walk away from the that lifestyle. His time came sooner than he thought, due to an injury. Jayme provides advice on how he made it through this difficult time, similar to one losing their job after a long standing career with the same company. Jayme describes this time as a “mindset shift” that ultimately brought him into his first job as in the oilfield coiled tubing business. He walks us through this huge change in lifestyle. Going from a stadium full of fans cheering you on to the company man yelling at you on location. 

Jayme describes how the mentors in his life were the most impactful and inspirational to him in defining his leadership style. These relationships were instrumental in his success.  Jayme decided to move away from NOV after 8 years, even though he was put on the fast track to leadership. Jayme knew if he moved to a smaller company he would have more impact then he would at a corporation the size of NOV. This was the most pivotal decision he ever made. Jayme talks about how his decision to leave a large corporation set him up for success later on down the road. 

Failure is a word that many people will not own up too. Jayme opens up on the podcast and talks about how he had to walk away from Rubicon, this made him feel like he had failed as a leader. To Jayme, the Rubicon business was everything, subordinating everything in his life to his work.  Although the company continued on to be successful, Jayme transitioned onto a new path that has led to a life of stronger purpose, perspective and priorities. 

After taking a year off and reflecting back on his career up to this point Jayme decided to create a blog. Jayme’s writing describes a number of life perspectives, leadership principles and insights (e.g. the 1% factor and fulfilling your purpose). We talk to Jayme about his reflections, he provides some of the best advice we have heard on the podcast. 

With a profoundly different view towards a professional and personal blend, Varel Energy Solutions came knocking after swearing he would never re-enter an executive position in the oilfield again! You have to listen in to find out why Jayme decided to move forward with Varel Energy and how it's different this time. We can all learn from Jayme and his story on finding your purpose, while remaining loyal to yourself and all that’s important in life. 

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