In Part 1 of our conversation, Branden and Greg sit down with Travis Harrington, Senior Manager for Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance at Chevron, to explore the experiences, family influences, and mentors that helped shape his career.

Travis reflects on growing up in rural South Louisiana, working his way through college at UL Lafayette, and finding his way into the inspection industry through a 40-hour radiation safety course, his brother’s work in NDE, and a summer on an offshore platform.

He shares lessons from the mentors who encouraged him to think independently, traces his career progression through Chevron and Anadarko, and discusses why quality must be built into every stage of a project. Travis also reflects on the 2026 Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit and the leadership principles he carries into both his professional and personal life: be a good teammate, work hard, and have fun.

Whether you’re building your career, developing future leaders, or managing an integrity program, this conversation offers practical takeaways on accountability, mentorship, and making the most of every opportunity.

If you enjoyed this discussion, part 2 of our conversation with Travis will be published on Thursday, November 19. Subscribe to Upon Further Inspection so you are notified as soon as the new episode drops.

• 00:00 Welcome and Introduction
• 01:08 Takeaways from the 2026 Summit
• 03:24 Growing Up in South Louisiana
• 05:01 First Steps into NDE Work
• 08:07 Early Mentors and Work Ethic
• 10:00 Working Through College in Lafayette
• 11:47 Cajun Cooking and Gumbo Season
• 12:31 Serbian Roots and a Military Father
• 17:17 Louisiana’s French and Spanish Heritage
• 20:34 Hard Work as a Family Value
• 23:32 Landing the Job at Chevron Pascagoula
• 25:17 Mentorship: Teaching the Process
• 26:37 World-Class Inspector Training
• 28:53 PSM and the Rise of Integrity Groups
• 31:05 Figure It Out: Problem Solving
• 33:46 Sports and Teamwork Lessons
• 38:30 Industry Along the Gulf Corridor
• 39:57 From Refinery to Corporate Roles
• 42:13 Why Quality Starts Early
• 43:33 Asset Integrity at Anadarko
• 45:33 Leading Through the Downturn
• 47:02 Working in Different-Sized Organizations
• 49:16 Good Leadership and Having Fun
• 50:37 Conclusion and Podcast Credits

+++++++++++++++

Episode Acronyms & Abbreviations

• API – American Petroleum Institute
• ASNT – American Society for Nondestructive Testing
• ETC – Energy Technology Company
• FCC – Fluid Catalytic Cracking
• MI – Mechanical Integrity
• NDE – Nondestructive Examination
• NDT – Nondestructive Testing
• OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• PSM – Process Safety Management
• PT – Penetrant Testing
• QA – Quality Assurance
• QC – Quality Control
• RBI – Risk-Based Inspection
• UL – University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• UT – Ultrasonic Testing

Send a text & tell us what you think!

Thank you for listening to Upon Further Inspection! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. 

 We’d love to hear from you—connect with us on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on the episode. Have ideas for future topics or guests? Email us at inspectionpodcast@gmail.com.

Join us next time, wherever you get your podcasts. Until then, stay safe and stay informed.

Note:  The views and opinions expressed by the guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or the Upon Further Inspection podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own qualified advisors for guidance.