Troy Porter’s career is a testament to the power of precision, foresight, and conviction. With over 37 years in the capital project and industrial construction arena, Troy has built more than facilities—he has built trust, strategy, and sustainable value in some of the most complex and high-stakes environments across the globe. His motto, “Building the future one decision at a time,” reflects a deep commitment to leading with intention, transforming abstract investments into tangible, enduring results.
Troy’s professional journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, where he cultivated a foundation in structural logic, design integrity, and systems thinking. Early roles at Fluor Daniel shaped his foundational understanding of project controls, field engineering, and estimation. Over thirteen years, Troy rose from Project Controls Engineer to Lead Estimator, gaining a ground-up understanding of the technical, logistical, and financial components that govern industrial-scale builds.
From there, his career advanced to senior estimating roles at Air Liquide, where he honed his ability to create total project cost estimates for sophisticated facilities such as air separation units and liquefaction plants. It was here that Troy began refining his approach to predictive financial modeling—applying analytics to enhance capital forecasting and drive smarter investment decisions.
Troy’s leadership took a significant leap during his tenure at Shell Oil Company, where he served as Estimating and Scheduling Supervisor. Managing a team of estimators and schedulers at the Deer Park facility, he championed a transformation in how capital budgets were formed, evaluated, and executed. His strategies doubled the rate of projects delivered within 10% of initial budgets, and his oversight preserved millions in capital. By creating Shell’s first capital projects cost database at the Shell Deerpark facility, Troy didn’t just respond to uncertainty—he anticipated it, equipping teams with forward-looking tools for success.
The pinnacle of Troy’s corporate career came at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, where he served as Estimating Manager for Global Capital Projects for over a decade. His mandate was global in scope and multi-billion-dollar in scale. Leading both in-house and remote teams, Troy validated capital requests ranging from $50 million to $8 billion. His estimates were accurate within a 10% variance—remarkable consistency at this level of complexity. His innovations in Monte Carlo simulations and regression models enabled Chevron Phillips to make strategic investments with clarity, speed, and resilience. These methodologies have since become internal benchmarks for the organization.
Beyond his technical acumen, Troy is a leader of people and strategy. He understands that behind every capital investment is a mosaic of stakeholders, values, and trade-offs. His collaborative style invites trust from engineers, financial officers, and executive leadership alike. Whether recommending $3 billion in funding or mentoring junior professionals, Troy’s decisions are guided by integrity, rigor, and a desire to see others succeed.
Troy’s influence extends beyond the boardroom and into the heart of his community. A passionate supporter of the arts and social justice, he has served as Board Chair for the Rothko Chapel, where he also held the role of interim executive director, stewarding the organization’s $2 million budget and strategic focus. Additionally, because of his strong community engagement, Troy was invited to serve on the strategy committee for Performing Arts Houston. In this role, he collaborated with other community leaders to shape the future direction and programming focus of the organization—helping to align its offerings with the cultural needs and aspirations of the city.
Internationally, Troy has overseen facility developments for Chevron around the globe, granting him a keen understanding of cross-cultural project execution, labor market variability, and global supply chain dynamics. His global fluency makes him a valuable asset to multinational organizations seeking consistent performance across borders.
Personally, Troy is a storyteller at heart. He has written two fiction novels, a testament to his creative spirit and appreciation for narrative structure. This gift for communication enhances his leadership—enabling him to simplify complexity, articulate vision, and inspire alignment. He believes that strategy is not only about data and decisions, but about how those decisions are communicated and lived out in action.
Today, Troy is actively seeking to serve on boards and advisory panels where he can leverage his vast experience in capital planning, financial forecasting, and organizational leadership. He brings not only his decades of expertise but also a deep passion for helping others advance their mission. He is not content to sit on the sidelines; Troy shows up, contributes meaningfully, and brings insights that move the needle.
Character:
Troy leads with integrity and purpose, taking ownership of projects and relationships with unwavering responsibility. He is deeply committed to doing what’s right for the long term, even when it means making tough or unconventional calls.
Knowledge:
He possesses industry-leading expertise in cost estimation, project scheduling, and financial forecasting across energy, chemical, and manufacturing sectors. His methodologies are backed by years of hands-on leadership and refined analytical tools that have shaped billion-dollar decisions.
Strategic:
Troy sees the broader picture, cutting through complexity to identify critical paths and maximize ROI. His strategic mind is grounded in data but guided by mission, ensuring that every recommendation serves both short-term efficiency and long-term vision.
Communication:
An eloquent communicator, Troy bridges technical and executive audiences with ease. Whether presenting to boards, guiding investment committees, or mentoring young professionals, he delivers clarity, confidence, and cohesion in every conversation.
