The Q&As and individual resumes found in this section of our website have been designed so you get to meet some our members and get an idea of the variety of jobs that make up the Energy Industry. You will find we are a talented and diverse group of women all working in the Energy Industry. If you are someone considering a career change or want to explore the energy industry for a job, check out the interviews and resumes. We encourage you to reach out to us with questions. Simply send an e-mail to us membership@wewomeninenergy.com and the connection will be made.
1. Meet Bobbi Hill, W.B. Hill, Inc., E. Meadow, MAWhat exactly does your job title mean – what are your responsibilities?
Working for the family business, I have many Job Titles. While my “Main” job is Tank Truck and Trailer Sales and Marketing Manager, I am currently our Parts Manager, Service Sales, Licensed Massachusetts State Car Inspector, Human Resources, Customer relations, hiring manager, tank polisher, Supervisor, shipping department, and so on.
2. What’s a typical day like for you?
I start about 6:30 every morning. A typical day in the office starts with reading through emails and responding to any pressing ones. Then going through vendor invoices, verifying accuracy of pricing and then billing any customers. The next few hours are usually hectic with customer calls, taking parts orders and shipping, delegating what to order and so on. Part of the day I go out in the shop to see what’s going on, how everything is going, and go over what a customer needs done with service work on tankers or tank trucks, and occasionally help when needed. At the end of the day I get quotes out for trailers and try to catch up on emails and phone calls and submitting marketing material. I usually leave at 5:30.
Otherwise, I’m on the road visiting customers and hopefully potential customers, delivering parts, and picking up parts throughout New England and New York.
3. What’s the best part of your job?
Building relationships with customers and getting to solve customer’s problems. I love when they call and they need something and I have the answer or can get the answer. I also love the relationship I’ve formed with all of them. They end up being friends rather than just customers. I also like to go out in the shop and help out. I don’t mind getting dirty and I love to learn how things are done. Our Mechanics may not love my million questions about how and why they are doing what they are doing, but that’s how I learn best, to get my hands dirty.
4. Could you tell us a little about the journey that got you here?
I was born here. My cousin Brian and I are 4th generation. My father is currently our president. I started riding in a wooden box between the seats delivering oil and gas, to then making a dollar a day helping my grandmother with paperwork, stamping envelopes, watching the burn barrel, and polishing tanks. I moved up to sweeping the floors, doing paperwork (poorly), going on “ride-alongs” and eventually driving to pick up parts and accompanying to tradeshows.
I worked full-time until I switched to part time in 2007 (when I worked for a non-profit organization) to 2010 when I moved to Wisconsin and came back in 2012. I came back to W.B. Hill full time again in 2013 as our Sales and Marketing Manager and the rest is history.
5. Was there anyone along the way that mentored you or helped you along?
My father was a huge influence in how much I learn on a daily basis as well as all of the people I work with and our “competitors”. Because most of us are family owned businesses we keep communication open and work with each other. Also, I worked for a photography studio in sales from 2012 to 2013 where the amount of knowledge I gained in that year I will forever be grateful for.
6. What other jobs have you held?
I worked for a non profit organization where I was the activities director from 2007 to 2010. I then worked in the hospitality industry in Wisconsin from 2010 to 2012 where I worked in a very busy coffee shop. Finally, for Robert Charles Photography for a year in sales.
7. Why did you come back into the energy industry?
I have always had a soft spot for the trucking and energy industry because of the way I was raised. I grew up around truck drivers, riding in trucks, the smell of diesel and it’s in my blood.
8. What would you tell young women thinking about a future in the energy industry?
All of the hard work is completely worth it when people doubt that “you can do” and you show them up. Working in this industry is extremely fulfilling every single day. You create things, you think outside of the box, and no single day is the same.
9. Is there anything you’d like to say to your younger self?
Ask more questions. Working with men, they tend to be very focused and I was always afraid to bother them to ask questions. You don’t learn by keeping quiet.
10. Can you share one project or job that was memorable in some way?
One of my memorable times was working hand in hand to design a Concept Trailer for a customer with my father. We both met with the customer and listened to their needs. My father and I then together figured out the best way to build it. It was an extremely fun and very rewarding experience to watch it all come together.
11. What do you see for the future of the energy industry?
There are so many aspects in the energy industry, but I see more women drivers, techs, mechanics, welders and more women getting their hands dirty. Being out in the field is a lot of fun and that’s what I hope to get across to young people looking for a career that they can make a difference in.