In 1983, Ernie began his apprenticeship at the Iron Workers Local 84. Attending night classes and earning my diploma with training in blue print reading, welding, fabricating, rigging, and rod tying. During the day, he received on the job training by working on erecting several buildings in the Houston area, continuing this line of work for about ten years. In 1993, while continuing to work for the Local 84 union, he moved into “Rigging” with Sullivan Transfer. They moved (Rigged) heavy machinery and large vessels located in refineries all over the United States. We were well known as the “Specialty Riggers” in several States.

Ernie began his Rig Building career working in the Oil and Gas Industry for Dreco Manufacturers in 1996, then working for National Oilwell Varco (NOV) in 1997. For the next six years, Ernie honed his skills, working as a Rig Builder, building/erecting oil derricks, installing equipment, rebuilding crowns, and special rigging jobs all over the world while working as a Supervisor during that time. In 2003, he became the Structural Supervisor with over 25 workers reporting to him, and was in charge of staffing and equipment, erecting Derricks and installing equipment located all over the world. Working for several well-known companies in the Oil & Gas Industry.

In 2005, he became Manager of the “Structural Group” at NOV, with up to 45 employees reporting to him. They worked closely with customers, which had very important deadlines to meet with day rates exceeding 500 thousand dollars per day. On several occasions, they were called upon to get the clients back in service, in the shortest amount of time, these jobs were known as “Rig Downs.”
The yearly revenue for the unit under the “Structural Group” earned approximately 15 million per year.

In 2012, Ernie began working for Polar Rig Specialties as a Sr. Operations Manager, assisting to man crews for Rig Building jobs globally, and also welding / fabricating / Rigging / Crown repair. In 2014, he began working for Rig Recourses, Derrick Project specialist out of Singapore pushing crews globally, with welding / fabricating / Rigging / Crown Repair / Rope Access.

By 2017, he returned to Polar Rig as Vice President, assisting customers with different projects globally. Some of the work scopes we assist with are the following: Welding, fabricating, rigging, Crown repairs, Top Drive / Traveling Block change out, rope access, and more. Polar Rig has clients all over the world and has assisted in Derrick Building & Equipment Installation in the Oil and Gas Industry for many years. Polar Rig also assists customers with “Rig Downs” situations, getting the oil derrick up and running in the shortest amount of time. Polar Rig and their employees have been called the best in the business.