Ranny Shibley

President and CEO, Daroil

Ranny is a born-and-raised Calgarian with a passionate love for his city. He literally grew up in the energy industry having spent many weekends and after-school hours playing at his dad’s office. At the age of ten, playtime transitioned into helping out by sending faxes and photocopying documents. He worked part-time at Daroil Energy Limited while pursuing his engineering degree from the University of Calgary, and, upon graduation, he took over as the company’s president and CEO. Since then, Daroil’s production has grown 15-fold while the cash flow has increased 10-fold.

Ranny is also a dedicated traveler, having experienced the history, culture, and food of 58 countries and over 300 cities worldwide. These experiences have helped him broker international deals and, at the age of 24, inspired him to found the Hayati Children’s Foundation of Alberta, an organization that has raised over $200,000 for orphanages in developing countries.

We asked Ranny:

The OGM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Ranny: Sustainability means short- and long-term strategic planning that combines business growth with positive economic continuity.

The OGM: Have you had a mentor?

Ranny: My dad has been in the energy industry since he was 18 years old and has taught me almost everything I know. He has been the biggest influence in my professional career.

The OGM: What does success mean to you?

Ranny: To me, success is where I am today relative to my goals, all while satisfying a perfect work/life balance.

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words, what would they be?

Ranny: Evolving. Gratifying. Demanding.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the Energy Industry?

Ranny: Be social and be receptive to new ideas. This industry is constantly changing, and it’s all about hard work and networking.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Ranny:  When I was 27 years old, I helped a Korean conglomerate enter the Canadian energy industry by brokering a $152 million deal.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Ranny: I took over day-to-day operations of Daroil at the age of 23. Trying to negotiate million-dollar deals wasn’t easy at first, as there were a few people I met with who just didn’t take me seriously. I remained confident, and it didn’t take long before I closed my first deal.

The OGM: What impact does technology have on your career?

Ranny: The one thing I love about the energy industry is that the technology is constantly changing. People are coming up with new and brilliant ways to drill wells, recover reserves and access data. I love being able to login from anywhere in the world and see the progress of a well we’re drilling in real-time.

The OGM: What do the next five years look like in your career?

Ranny: Eventually, I’d like to start expanding our production portfolio outside of Western Canada. There are plenty of opportunities around the world, but as of right now, I’m going to stick with what I know best and grow our production locally.

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Ranny: Yes, when I was a kid I used to go to my dad’s office after school and on weekends to “help out” with some faxing and photocopying. It may not seem like much, but being able to play with those machines as a kid was a big deal to me. Needless to say, I’ve been around the energy industry my whole life.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy Industry?

Ranny: I like how the industry is constantly evolving; it keeps my job interesting. More importantly, I love the people.

The OGM: Do you have a role model you look up to?

Ranny: Amal Shibley, a.k.a. my mom. She is the strongest person I’ve ever met. Her love and dedication to her family made me who I am today.

The OGM: What does Energy mean to you?

Ranny: Everything! Energy is my job, my passion, and my life.

The OGM: What is your favorite APP on your phone?

Ranny: I love my sports apps (TSN, the Score, Shnarped).

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy Industry?

Ranny: From what I’ve seen, Generation Y is smart, fun, and outgoing. They will lead Canada towards being a top global player in the energy industry.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Ranny: I think social media is a great way to connect people and share ideas. It is also a great source of information.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Ranny: Twitter and Blackberry Messenger.

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Ranny: Not currently.

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Ranny: Social recruiting is a brilliant idea. Any tool a company, event, or individual can use to spread their message is good in my books.

The OGM: Why do you love what you do?

Ranny: Every day is a different experience, and that keeps my job fresh and exciting. I’ve met a lot of great people over the years, resulting in some very strong relationships. The Stampede parties are also a huge bonus!