EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering – University of South Carolina

REGISTRATIONS
South Carolina Registered Professional Engineer – Registration No. 18741
North Carolina Registered Professional Engineer – Registration No. 24144
(Scored 161 on the Engineering Fundamentals Exam)
(Scored 61 on the Professional Engineering Exam)
Federal Department of Transportation Cargo Tank Registered Inspector, Registration No. CT-8208
North Carolina Licensed Fuel Piping Contractor, State License No. 23758
Class B Commercial Drivers License with Tanker and Hazardous Materials Endorsements
Municipal Association of SC, Master Gas Fitter, License No. 001140506

TRAINING
OSHA 1919.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response – Trained to On Scene Incident Commander level
OSHA 1919.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response – Trained to HAZMAT Technician level
Completed the Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy LNG/LPG Gas Fire Fighting School
Completed the Hoechst Celanese/York Technical College Industrial Fire Fighting Course
Trained to Perform Offensive Actions in Full Turnout Gear w/ SCBA to Mitigate Hazardous Materials Releases
Certified by International Safety Instruments for Level II MAGNUM SCBA Service, Repair and Maintenance
Completed the AMOCO/SC Fire Academy LP Transport and LP Safety Train Seminar
Red Cross First Aid and CPR Trained
Trained Combustible Gas Indicator and Oxygen Level Operator
Completed University of South Carolina College of Business Administration Management Development Program

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Southeastern Energy Partners, LLC. – Co-Founder and President, 2003 – Present
LOVE Propane Gas, LLC. – Founder and President, 1999 – 2003
G1 ENERGY, Inc. – Founder and President, 1998 – Present
SCANA Propane Services, Inc. (A SCANA Subsidiary) – Manager of Propane Operations, 1991 – 1998
South Carolina Electric and Gas (A SCANA Subsidiary) – Associate Manager of Engineering, 1987 – 1991
South Carolina Electric and Gas (A SCANA Subsidiary) – Cathodic Protection Department, 1985

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), Governmental Affairs Committee Member
South Carolina Propane Gas Association (SCPGA), Safety, Education, and Compliance Committee Chairman

EXPERIENCE
Mr. Norris is a licensed Mechanical Engineer who specializes in hydrocarbon process, storage, piping, control systems, safety, regulatory management, retail propane operations, and general mechanical engineering disciplines. His management, operational, and business experience allow him to focus not only on engineering design aspects, but also on the financial viability of projects, safety considerations, equipment maintenance and operational user friendliness, economical construction methods, and long-term operational integrity. Mr. Norris carried a pager and was on first call status for over a decade as part of his responsibility to respond immediately to plant operational problems and emergencies, and therefore, understands the roll that proper design and management play in minimizing operational upsets, call outs, and safety. This background has given him a hands-on approach to designing, installing, starting, operating, and managing complex systems in a safe, efficient, and user-friendly manner.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Initially began working in the gas industry when hired in 1985 by South Carolina Electric and Gas as a Summer Student Intern in the Cathodic Protection Department for the metropolitan Columbia, SC area while a mechanical engineering student at the University of South Carolina.

Upon graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1987, was hired by South Carolina Electric and Gas as a Junior Engineer in Columbia Gas Operations.

Promoted by South Carolina Electric and Gas in the fall of 1987 to Associate Manager of Engineering for Columbia Gas Operations, a position that was held until the summer of 1991. Ultimately the responsibilities included a staff of approximately 35 individuals that encompassed the Cathodic Protection Department, the Metering and Regulating Department, the Engineering Department, the Customer Service Department, and the Lucius Road Propane-Air Plant. These various departments were responsible for approximately 75,000 customers in the Columbia, SC area with an annual expense budget of 3.5 million dollars and a capital budget of 6 million dollars.

Transferred to SCANA’s subsidiary, SCANA Hydrocarbons (later renamed SCANA Propane Services) in June of 1991, and named Manager–Propane Operations. Tasked with the responsibility of managing and upgrading a 60 million gallon propane storage facility constructed in the mid 70’s and operated with very few capital improvements over the years.

Responsible for approximately 4 million dollars in capital improvements while making SCANA Propane Services storage facility financially viable by reducing operating expenses 33% and increasing revenues by 147% over a five year period.

Resigned from SCANA Propane Services in 1998 to form G1 ENERGY, Inc., to help companies comply with the EPA’s pending risk management regulations. Performed several hundred site assessment reviews for commercial and industrial customers to determine each sites applicability to the EPA’s risk management regulations and worked on setting up Risk Management Programs for approximately one hundred sites in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Formed Love Propane Gas, LLC, in 1999 to provide propane gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in the greater York County, SC area. Sold the company to Heritage Propane in June of 2003.

Co-Founder and President of Southeastern Energy Partners, LLC. Formed in 2003 to provide propane gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers in the Southeast. Unlike LOVE Propane Gas, which was a scratch start up, Southeastern Energy has a model based upon acquisition, consolidation, and operational efficiency improvement of existing companies. The first acquisition was Triangle Gas in October of 2003, the second acquisition was Kleckley Gas in December of 2003, the third was Ocean Drive Gas in August of 2004, and the fourth was Ina Gas in November of 2006. These companies serve the Beaufort, Hilton Head, Ridgeland, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach, SC areas, and Brunswick County, NC area.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Engineering oversight of South Carolina Electric and Gas’ Columbia Gas Operation’s engineering department which included installing approximately 100 miles of underground gas distribution piping each year and thousands of service lines with an annual capital budget of approximately 6 million dollars.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up to upgrade an existing propane-air plant from an output capacity of 18,000 GPH to 24,000 GPH. Total project cost $550,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up of a 5000 GPM capacity fire water supply and 5 zone sprinkler deluge system consisting of a 17,000,000 gallon storage pond, 3-200 hp vertical turbine fire water pumps and control system, 14” through 4” water lines, UV and UV/IR automated actuation system, 24-hour remote satellite telemetry system monitoring, and miscellaneous manual hydrants and monitor nozzles. Total project cost $800,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up of a propane refrigeration system consisting of a 250 hp rotary vane compressor, two 20 hp air-cooled heat exchangers, and miscellaneous refrigeration valving, etc. Total project cost $225,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up of a propane vapor fired thermal fluid heater used to superheat 25 GPM propane liquid to propane vapor at 550°F to be utilized in a propane dehydration process. Total project cost $200,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up of an 8” epoxy coated 1500’ natural gas line bridge crossing suspended below the bridge. Total project cost $150,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up to refurbish and upgrade an existing propane dehydration unit from a 975 GPM capacity to a 1750 GPM capacity. Total project cost $250,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up to upgrade an existing propane storage facility output capacity from 1.4 million GPD to 2.5 million GPD. This included installing additional submersible and vertical turbine pump capacity, above ground and below ground piping, block valves, control valves, metering, hydrometers, gas detectors, tank level monitoring systems, cathodic protection equipment, PLC control systems, above ground storage tanks, transport truck loading and rail unloading equipment, remote satellite telemetry monitoring systems, transient protection equipment, electrical substation upgrades, etc. Total project cost $1,000,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up to upgrade an existing 2-spot transport truck loading system to a fully automated magnetic card operated 6-spot transport truck loading system utilizing PLC controlled turbine metering, metered pump and mass flow metered odorant injection system, automated operator/database control system, safety and alarm functions, etc. Total project cost $600,000.

Engineering, specification, installation, and start-up to modify the existing inlet, outlet, and vapor ports on three 60,000-gallon ASME section VIII code vessels to increase the withdrawal capacity. Total project cost $75,000.

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