When Michael Harris started with CTAP in November 2013, he had no idea that one day he would become General Manager of Sorian’s Central Region. Today, he oversees operations in Rozet, Wyoming; Chickasha, Oklahoma; Fort Morgan, Colorado; and Follansbee, West Virginia. But his story is not about a fast track to the top. It is about hard work, growth, and a company culture that creates opportunities for people who are willing to learn and lead.

His journey is proof that at Sorian, careers are built from the ground up.

Starting at the Bottom

Michael joined the company as a yard hand after taking an unexpected turn in life. Before entering the oil and gas industry, he was serving in the National Guard and studying construction management. During a deployment, his school shut down his program, leaving him just one year short of graduation. “I basically had to start over,” Michael said. “I was looking for a change, and the oil field sounded like a great opportunity.” So he took a chance.

Over the next several years, Michael worked his way through nearly every operational position in the organization. He was a yard hand, equipment operator, foreman, yard manager, and regional manager before stepping into his current role as General Manager. “I started at the bottom and worked through all the rungs of the ladder,” he said.

Saying Yes to Opportunity

One of the biggest lessons Michael learned early in his career was the value of being willing to do whatever needed to be done. “Always have a positive attitude when things come up,” he said. “You learn a lot about yourself and what you’re capable of doing.”

Long hours, unexpected challenges, and changing priorities became opportunities to grow instead of obstacles. That mindset helped him stand out.

A major turning point came while the company was building a new yard in New Town, North Dakota. At the time, Michael was an equipment operator, but he was invited to contribute ideas and help shape the project. “It was a pretty big project, and I got to help set it up and give my thoughts,” he said. The experience showed him that leadership is not tied to a title. It’s about contributing, solving problems, and helping the team succeed.

Learning to Lead

Today, Michael’s leadership philosophy focuses on developing others. Rather than trying to do everything himself, he believes great leaders create opportunities for their teams to grow. “My goal is to make better leaders,” he said. “You set clear expectations, give people the room to do their jobs, and trust them to run with it.”

That trust is critical. “If they need guidance or help, you’re there,” Michael explained. “But you have to let people develop.” He also believes leadership can happen at every level of the organization. “Everyone can be a leader, no matter your title,” he said. “Even if you’re responsible for one piece of equipment, you’re the leader of that equipment.” For Michael, leadership is less about authority and more about responsibility, accountability, and helping others succeed.

No career journey happens alone, and Michael is quick to recognize the people who helped him along the way. He credits Duke Altschuler, one of CTAP’s founders, and Terry Herbst, General Manager of Logistics and a company veteran of more than 30 years, for giving him a major opportunity early in his career. After only 18 months with the company, they trusted him with a significant move from New Town, North Dakota, to Fort Morgan, Colorado. “That was a big step,” Michael said. “I had only been with the company about 18 months, and they took a chance on me.”

Michael also credits Dave Altschuler, PMO Lead and 11 years with the company, as a mentor who has had a lasting influence on his career and leadership approach. Beyond individual mentors, Michael is most proud of the people he has worked alongside. “When I look back, I’m proud of the fantastic people I’ve gotten to work with,” he said. “No matter what level they’re at, there’s great camaraderie here.” That sense of teamwork has remained one of his favorite parts of the company culture.

Growing Alongside the Company

Michael has seen the organization evolve from CTAP to Sooner and now Sorian. Through every stage, he says one thing has remained consistent: opportunities for employees to grow. “The company promotes internally, and that culture has been great for me and for others,” he said.

His own career is a perfect example. From a yard hand to General Manager, every promotion came from learning new skills, taking on bigger responsibilities, and staying ready when opportunities appeared.

The skills that helped him most? “Decision-making and communication,” Michael said. “Everyone can always keep developing those.”

Looking Ahead

When asked what advice he would give someone just starting their career at Sorian, Michael’s answer is simple. “Learn everything you can and don’t be scared to ask questions.” For employees who want to become leaders, he encourages them to start right away. “Start leading before you have the title,” he said. “Help those around you succeed. It’s a team effort.”

Another quality that helped him advance was reliability. Thinking back to his early days, Michael remembers times when managers called employees back after a shift to handle unexpected work. “Some people didn’t answer,” he recalled. “I was there. I asked, ‘What do we have to do?'” Being dependable opened doors throughout his career and continues to be one of the values he emphasizes today.

As General Manager of the Central Region, Michael is excited about the future. His priorities include improving operational consistency, maintaining a strong focus on safety, and continuing to expand his financial and business knowledge. “There is a lot to learn,” he said with a laugh. “That’s one of the exciting parts of the role.”

He’s also energized by the opportunity to help grow Sorian and support projects beyond traditional oil and gas operations. But perhaps the legacy he hopes to leave says the most about him as a leader. “I want to help develop people into leaders,” Michael said. “And hopefully help them become even better leaders than they are today.”

For employees looking to build a career at Sorian, Michael’s story offers a clear message: opportunities are here. With hard work, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to helping others succeed, it’s possible to grow from the ground floor all the way to General Manager.

Michael Harris and his Saint Bernard in Ross, ND, during the early days of his career, when he was building the experience and work ethic that would later support his leadership journey in the OCTG and energy sector.