Meet Our Field Engineering Team
Meet Our Field Engineering Team
Ken Backus - Senior Field Engineer
Background: Ken Backus began his career with Swagelok in 2001 with Swagelok Marketing in Cleveland, Ohio, as oil & gas/petrochemical market specialist. Before joining Swagelok, Ken has worked as an engineer / designer for a system integration company on upstream production and subsea controls, for a well stimulation and down-hole tools company, and as a critical valve test engineer for a major oil company. Ken transferred to Houston as Field Engineer in 2005.
Market Expertise: Upstream completions, wellhead and subsea control, process and analytical instrumentation, and general industry
Services:
- Interpret customer needs for specific product requirements or compliance (API, NACE, hazardous area classification compliance, ANSI 76.00.02 NeSSI standard)
- On-site system support of Swagelok products or quotations for Custom Solutions
- Optimize product configuration (specials or standard product)
- Review P&ID drawings for application and translate into possible Swagelok solutions
- Familiar with industry best practice: control system interfaces, safety systems, sampling systems, instrumentation hook ups, analyzer system integrity, material solutions and high pressure systems
Product Knowledge:
- Smart products and telemetry
- Custom Solutions assembly services
- Medium and high pressure products
- Regulator products (RHPS & K-Series)
- Process instrumentation, piping products
- Modular Platform Components (MPC)
- Analytical instrumentation systems and assemblies
Training Assistance Available:
- Analytical and Process Instrumentation
- Grab Sample Systems
- Medium and high pressure products
- Swagelok Regulators (RHPS & K-Series)
- Swagelok Pre-Engineered Sub-systems (PrESS)
Mike Howard- Field Engineer
Background: Michael Howard began his Swagelok career in 2019 as a Regional Field Engineer at the Texas Mid-Coast Distributorship. Before joining Swagelok, Michael attended college at Lamar University graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineer and a minor in math. During this time, he participated in internship programs including a summer internship in chemical plant operations. Michael is seeking to pass his FE exam with the intention of eventually earning a professional engineering license.
Market Expertise: Chemical & Petrochemical, Oil & Gas
Services:
- Evaluate project or application needs and assist in selection of appropriate products
- Interpret P&ID to recommend possible custom solutions
- Regulator selection, sizing and application.
- Remote or on-site support for Swagelok products and solutions troubleshooting.
Product Knowledge:
- Custom Solutions assembly services
- Regulator products
- Grab Sampling Systems
- Seal Support Systems
- Remote or on-site support for Swagelok products and solutions troubleshooting.