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Biography
Jeff Dupuis graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and completed his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.  He spent 4 years as a product development engineer for the Chrysler Group serving as the leader of a cross-functional design team before joining Shell Global Solutions in 2009.  While at Shell, Jeff specialized in vortex-induced vibration suppression as well as subsea hardware design and installation.  Jeff joined VIV Solutions^® in the spring of 2012 and has since led the execution of major projects in his role as Vice President of the Projects organization.   He draws from more than 12 years of experience delivering products to a global market in order to provide customers with the best possible experience.  In addition to project execution, he is responsible for leading a wide range of activities including safety, product development, and vendor qualification.

Q&A

1.  What is your role at VIV Solutions?
I lead the delivery of projects within our customer-focused organization.  It is my responsibility ensure smooth execution from the initial award phase all the way through until product delivery.  Additionally, I serve as the company’s safety leader and oversee the proactive implementation of comprehensive safety programs at each of our vendor sites.  I also actively participate in the design and qualification of suppression devices.

2.  How did you become interested in VIV research?
Upon moving to Houston and accepting a job in the oil and gas industry, I realized the importance of safely extracting hydrocarbons that lay miles beneath the ocean floor.  I consider the VIV suppression devices our team designs and builds to be a key component of the process.  This has driven my desire to continue developing cutting-edge VIV technologies for use offshore.

3.  What credentials do you have that make you an ideal fit for the company?
My previous experience working for a major automotive manufacturer has been an asset in optimizing the way our business executes large-scale projects.  I have applied many lessons learned to various technical challenges at VIV Solutions.  I also have an entrepreneurial spirit and a motivating personality which enables me to communicate effectively across many different levels and build a cross-functional team.

4.  What is the most exciting thing you are working on right now?
I am currently championing the design of a novel helical strake product.  It will significantly reduce the time to delivery and be available for purchase at a lower price point.   We are very excited about this new design so stay tuned for more information.

5.  What has been your favorite project thus far?
The Stones project in the Gulf of Mexico has been my favorite project to date.  It was a large-scale endeavor requiring both strakes and fairings, which presented an ideal opportunity to showcase our abilities.  During the project, I managed multiple vendors concurrently and was able to deliver ahead of schedule.  I enjoyed working with representatives from the major oil company and EPIC to achieve a successful installation.

6.  What are the values that drive you?
Integrity and respect for people are two of my primary drivers.  I interact with individuals from many different backgrounds during the execution phase of a project.  Sometimes I am working alongside technicians in the field and other days I am meeting with high-level managers.  I am committed to safety and strive for everyone to go home safe at the end of the day.

7.  What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
It is extremely rewarding to know that my decisions have an immediate and measurable impact on the direction of the business.  I enjoy this sense of responsibility.

8.  What makes VIV Solutions stand out from the competition?
Our team members are highly qualified in their respective roles.  Each employee is driven to independently contribute to the success of the organization, yet we are constantly collaborating together to develop new approaches to fulfill our customers’ needs.

9.  What kind of VIV developments would you like to see for the offshore industry in the future?
The industry would benefit significantly from improved analytics related to the fatigue of deepwater structures.  Ideally there would be better consensus about utilizing VIV suppression devices to protect the integrity of offshore assets.

10.  What is an interesting fact about you?
I was born in Canada and grew up speaking both English and French.  I also played ice hockey at the collegiate level.