Climbing the Ladder: The Rise of Rickey Guidry

In 2023, Rickey Guidry was named operations manager for instrumentation and electrical (I&E) services at Danos. He had been a successful I&E project manager for many years, so the promotion wasn’t unusual. But looking back over his career, Rickey couldn’t help but marvel at how far he’d come. 

He got his start back in 1998 with API Control System Solutions (API), cleaning panels and panel parts. There, he rebuilt parts while learning about pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical controls. Determined to make the most of the opportunity, he worked hard and learned what he could along the way. He was sent on assignments offshore that gave him more hands-on experience (and plenty of seasickness) before landing in API’s Boutte office.  

He says he was lucky to have landed at a place like API, because it was a smaller office where he was able to learn directly from the owner and try his hand at different things. Over the course of 17 years, he worked his way up from a helper to become a pneumatic tech, a control system specialist, and then a project manager. Then in 2015, API was acquired by Danos. 

For the next five years, Rickey continued as an I&E project manager, juggling more than two dozen projects at any given time. He was promoted to senior project manager in 2020, but things stalled when the COVID pandemic hit. Slowly but surely, the I&E work began to pick up again, with new business opportunities emerging in midstream markets and new locations.  

Today, Rickey leads a team of 80 employees working in the Gulf of Mexico region, as well as other job sites across the country. This group includes project managers, estimators, personnel coordinators and drafter/designers to manage the installation and set-up of electrical and instrumentation systems for Danos’ clients. He does his best to get out to job sites as often as possible, so he can continue to strengthen relationships with his team and customers.  

Rickey reports to Shawn Portier, general manager of energy systems. Like Rickey, Shawn worked his way up over many years in I&E after starting as a helper. 

“Rickey has risen this far because of his dedication, experience and commitment to growth. He’s a great mentor and colleague who always wants to do things the right way,” says Shawn. “But on top of all that, Rickey is a joy to be around: he has a great sense of humor and knows how to keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things get stressful. Danos is lucky to have him.” 

Looking back on his career, Rickey is grateful for the mentors who helped him along the way. He does his best to offer the same support to younger employees now. “I&E careers are great for someone just starting out,” he says. “You can learn, try new things and determine your own path forward.” 

And when it comes to opportunity, Rickey says there’s no better place than Danos to reach your full potential. “We’re a family business, and it shows in how we take care of our people. Safety, support, opportunity ... it’s all right here.” 

First picture: Rickey with his daughters Kristen, left, and Kayden, right, in 2023.

Second picture: Rickey (Pop) and his wife Lacey (Mimi) with their grandson Josiah in 2023.