Scott Canonico is a highly accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience across multiple industries, including oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, and technology. Known for his exceptional leadership in Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) and Sustainability, Scott has consistently driven long-term business value, compliance excellence, and transformative organizational change. His impressive track record includes strategic leadership roles at prominent companies such as PDC Energy, Hewlett-Packard, Linn Energy, Berry Petroleum, and Advanced Energy. Scott’s expertise spans across EHS strategy development, emissions mitigation, corporate responsibility, sustainability programs, and compliance management systems, all aimed at enhancing corporate reputation and operational excellence.
During his tenure as Vice President of EHS at PDC Energy, Scott led the company’s environmental performance to unprecedented levels. His leadership was instrumental in achieving a 65% reduction in methane emissions intensity and significant greenhouse gas reductions, which were recognized as a strategic asset in Chevron’s acquisition of PDC Energy. Scott also spearheaded PDC’s membership in the UN Environmental Program’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP), earning the prestigious Gold Standard for reporting and performance. In addition, he led the closure of a major air quality Consent Decree ahead of schedule and continually briefed the Board of Directors on EHS performance, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic goals.
At Linn Energy, Scott oversaw EHS operations for assets across six states, achieving record-low incident rates, including zero injuries at all reporting facilities in 2015. His ability to integrate the best practices from acquired companies was instrumental in the successful merger of Berry Petroleum with Linn Energy. Furthermore, Scott established Linn Energy’s first Corporate Responsibility function, developing a strategy that resulted in the company’s first public sustainability report in 2015, an initiative that demonstrated his commitment to environmental stewardship and transparency.
Scott’s strategic leadership also extended to Berry Petroleum, where as Corporate Manager for EH&S and Regulatory Compliance, he led the company’s efforts to resolve legacy compliance issues, including negotiating a reduced penalty from the EPA, lowering it from $650K to $25K. He played a key role in avoiding a proposed debarment from the Department of Interior and led continuous improvements in compliance culture, incident management, and contractor safety.
At Advanced Energy, Scott served as the Director of EHS and Sustainability, where he rebuilt the company’s environmental management systems and led the company to achieve its first-ever ISO 14001 certification at its largest manufacturing facility, in China. Under his leadership, Advanced Energy saw a significant reduction in safety incident rates and an improved environmental ranking from its largest customer. Scott’s ability to develop and implement innovative solutions that balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility has been a hallmark of his career.
Scott’s decade-long leadership at Hewlett-Packard (HP) was equally impactful. As the functional leader for environmental regulatory compliance, marketing, and policy advocacy, Scott led global teams across multiple continents, ensuring environmental compliance for HP’s $24+ billion printing business, while earning recognition for delivering perfect compliance records. He also played a pivotal role in the development of HP’s EcoSMART Fleet, an environmental assessment tool for enterprise printing that was eventually commercialized.
A licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Maine, Scott holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, an M.A. in Management from Webster University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. His military background through the rank of Major in the U.S. Army has equipped him with unparalleled leadership, discipline, and a commitment to excellence, traits that have defined his professional career.
Scott’s career achievements are not only marked by technical expertise but by his ability to lead teams, mentor talent, and build lasting relationships with key stakeholders. His passion for sustainability and corporate responsibility continues to drive him to create strategies that deliver long-term business value while addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Character:
Scott is known for his integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct, upholding high standards in both his professional and personal life. His dedication and reliability have earned him the trust and respect of colleagues and industry leaders alike.
Knowledge:
With a deep understanding of environmental science, engineering, and regulatory affairs, Scott brings a wealth of expertise that allows him to navigate complex challenges with confidence. His educational background and extensive industry experience enable him to make well-informed, strategic decisions.
Strategic:
Scott’s ability to anticipate trends and craft forward-thinking strategies has been instrumental in driving organizational success. His innovative approach to EHS and sustainability programs has consistently delivered record results and enhanced corporate reputation.
Communication:
A skilled communicator, Scott effectively conveys complex ideas and strategies to diverse audiences. Whether in the boardroom or leading cross-functional teams, his clear and persuasive communication fosters alignment and drives action.
