Risk Matters

In this episode of Risk Matters, host Jeanne Johns talks with Pilko AI Advisors Ron Dowdell, former CIO, Navy OPNAV N1 Staff and current Managing Director, Pilko & Associates and Mike McFarlane, former Director, Regional Lead for Production Digitalization, BASF and current Advisor, Pilko & Associates about how artificial intelligence is transforming safety, risk management, and operational excellence - and how leaders can strategically embrace this fast-evolving technology to build safer, smarter operations.About Pilko & Associates: Pilko & Associates marks its 45th year as the trusted advisor to deal leaders and senior executives on operational EHS and ESG risks and liabilities in the global chemical and energy industries. Since 1980, the firm has provided guidance on transactions totaling more than $600 billion, encompassing facilities across 80 nations, including some of the most prominent deals spanning the last five decades. Pilko's advisors have an average of 38 years of relevant professional experience in operational and executive roles with major energy and chemical companies.⁠https://www.pilko.com/

What do spaceflight and oil & gas have in common? High stakes and zero room for error!Host Jeanne Johns talks with Captain Jim Wetherbee, six-time NASA astronaut and oil & gas leader, on controlling risk when failure isn’t an option.Watch or listen for powerful lessons on leadership, safety, and performance.Learn More About the Pilko Governance Forum here.About Pilko & Associates: Pilko & Associates marks its 45th year as the trusted advisor to deal leaders and senior executives on operational EHS and ESG risks and liabilities in the global chemical and energy industries. Since 1980, the firm has provided guidance on transactions totaling more than $600 billion, encompassing facilities across 80 nations, including some of the most prominent deals spanning the last five decades. Pilko's advisors have an average of 38 years of relevant professional experience in operational and executive roles with major energy and chemical companies.https://www.pilko.com/

In this episode of Risk Matters, host Jeanne Johns and Paul Eagar explore how early design decisions impact plant reliability and safety - often with lasting consequences. From cutting corners to costly outcomes, this real-world discussion offers must-hear lessons for project leaders at any stage.About Pilko & Associates: Pilko & Associates marks its 45th year as the trusted advisor to deal leaders and senior executives on operational EHS and ESG risks and liabilities in the global chemical and energy industries. Since 1980, the firm has provided guidance on transactions totalling more than $600 billion, encompassing facilities across 80 nations, including some of the most prominent deals spanning the last five decades. Pilko's advisors have an average of 38 years of relevant professional experience in operational and executive roles with major energy and chemical companies.

Host Jeanne Johns chats with former BP America Chair Susan Dio about applying hard-won lessons from refining to the shipping industry. They explore cultural change, tech innovation, and the growing mental health risks facing high-hazard operations. Essential insights for today’s risk leaders.

Get ready for an insightful conversation as host Jeanne Johns talks with industry veteran John Rathbun, CEO and President of Austin Powder, a global leader in civil explosives. With 38 years of experience, John has seen it all—from navigating high-risk operations to shaping a culture of safety. In this episode, he takes us inside his journey, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to managing risk and leading with safety at the forefront. Tune in to hear how John influences not just his organization but the entire civil explosives industry with his leadership and expertise.

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the tragic Texas City explosion, we’re diving deep into the lessons learned and the industry’s transformation in its wake. Host Jeanne Johns is joined by Steve Cornell, who was brought in by BP to overhaul its U.S. refining system and implement the Baker Panel recommendations. Together, they’ll uncover the hard-won insights from this seminal event and explore how they continue to shape process safety and operating risk management today.

Hosted by Jeanne Johns, this series will dive deep into operational risk management, sharing strategies, stories, and solutions that help organisations stay ahead of the curve.