Billion Dollar Projects Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/billion-dollar-projects The only podcast sharing lessons from thought leaders who work on mining, oil & gas, or other industrial projects with budgets in the millions....or billions. Hosted by Wes Sessenwein CEO of PayShepherd. PayShepherd 94175bae-beaa-583a-8b9f-9d9e1ef7dc63 yes en Sun, 09 Aug 2026 01:13:21 -0400 Sun, 09 Aug 2026 01:14:15 -0400 http://www.payshepherd.com/podcast https://img.transistorcdn.com/wST5bf1PU9GgiScVkCV_uLYR3S_tP0RmKdPnOxGaFTA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zYzZl/ZWIwOWQ5NjdkYzFj/ZDliZTczMTBmMWNm/MjQ4Ny5wbmc.jpg Billion Dollar Projects http://www.payshepherd.com/podcast episodic Wesley Sessenwein The only podcast sharing lessons from thought leaders who work on mining, oil & gas, or other industrial projects with budgets in the millions....or billions. Hosted by Wes Sessenwein CEO of PayShepherd. The only podcast sharing lessons from thought leaders who work on mining, oil & gas, or other industrial projects with budgets in the millions....or billions. Wesley Sessenwein No No 36 years as Safety Dave and the importance of safety in the mining sector | Dave Speerbrecker 36 years as Safety Dave and the importance of safety in the mining sector | Dave Speerbrecker full 2958996a-86d6-44d0-adb3-e92c999f3b42 https://share.transistor.fm/s/93bfcd34 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Dave Speerbrecker, or as he is known as "Safety Dave." Dave is the General Manager of Support Services at Thyssen Mining and has spent the last 36 years primarily focused on their safety programs.
 
In this episode, we talk about some of the amazing projects he has worked on, the critical challenge of keeping people in the field safe, and how he has seen the mining industry change over the last three decades. 

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Dave Speerbrecker, or as he is known as "Safety Dave." Dave is the General Manager of Support Services at Thyssen Mining and has spent the last 36 years primarily focused on their safety programs.
 
In this episode, we talk about some of the amazing projects he has worked on, the critical challenge of keeping people in the field safe, and how he has seen the mining industry change over the last three decades. 

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Thu, 22 May 2025 08:45:00 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2382 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Dave Speerbrecker, or as he is known as "Safety Dave." Dave is the General Manager of Support Services at Thyssen Mining and has spent the last 36 years primarily focused on their safety programs.
 
In this episode, we talk about some of the amazing projects he has worked on, the critical challenge of keeping people in the field safe, and how he has seen the mining industry change over the last three decades. 

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Pipeline projects in Mexico, the expat experience, and Cedar LNG | Toby Cubitt (Ep. 2) Pipeline projects in Mexico, the expat experience, and Cedar LNG | Toby Cubitt (Ep. 2) full 81aa75cc-e10f-44ec-b17b-bdd938caddde https://share.transistor.fm/s/e86c344e This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a second conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer currently working for Pemina Pipeline. 

In this episode, we talk about the evolution of Mexico’s natural gas infrastructure, Toby's experience about being an expat working on long-term projects, innovative techniques in pipeline construction, and his current work on the Cedar LNG project.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a second conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer currently working for Pemina Pipeline. 

In this episode, we talk about the evolution of Mexico’s natural gas infrastructure, Toby's experience about being an expat working on long-term projects, innovative techniques in pipeline construction, and his current work on the Cedar LNG project.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 08:45:00 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2201 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a second conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer currently working for Pemina Pipeline. 

In this episode, we talk about the evolution of Mexico’s natural gas infrastructure, Toby's experience about being an expat working on long-term projects, innovative techniques in pipeline construction, and his current work on the Cedar LNG project.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Project scheduling and pipeline construction in challenging environments | Toby Cubitt (Ep. 1) Project scheduling and pipeline construction in challenging environments | Toby Cubitt (Ep. 1) full 80f2559a-17d5-4cb8-921b-b89a72e305cb https://share.transistor.fm/s/d13c30ee This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer who is currently working for Pembina Pipeline and has worked on projects across North America, specifically in Mexico.

They discuss:

  • The experience working in remote locations
  • Scheduling and its critical importance on large projects
  • How project controls must be grounded in real-world experience

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer who is currently working for Pembina Pipeline and has worked on projects across North America, specifically in Mexico.

They discuss:

  • The experience working in remote locations
  • Scheduling and its critical importance on large projects
  • How project controls must be grounded in real-world experience

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Thu, 01 May 2025 08:45:00 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2646 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Toby Cubitt. Toby is a pipeline engineer who is currently working for Pembina Pipeline and has worked on projects across North America, specifically in Mexico.

They discuss:

  • The experience working in remote locations
  • Scheduling and its critical importance on large projects
  • How project controls must be grounded in real-world experience

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No The power of convertible contracts with Wissam Eddessa The power of convertible contracts with Wissam Eddessa full 65f86d20-4739-411f-bc3d-7a282f9f6bc7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9f388644 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Wissam Eddessa. Wissam is the former Sr. Manager of Contracts for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, where he managed over $17.5B worth of contracts.

‍

They discuss:

  • How convertible contracts are mutually beneficial owners, contractors, and subcontractors
  • His experience managing multi-billion dollar contracts in a number of industries
  • The positive impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline for the surrounding Indigenous communities

‍

Wissam has used his knowledge from over 35 years in project management and contracts administration to author a new book: Lump Sum Conversion for EPC Projects.  

‍

You can get a copy at https://lumpsumconversion.com/book

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Wissam Eddessa. Wissam is the former Sr. Manager of Contracts for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, where he managed over $17.5B worth of contracts.

‍

They discuss:

  • How convertible contracts are mutually beneficial owners, contractors, and subcontractors
  • His experience managing multi-billion dollar contracts in a number of industries
  • The positive impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline for the surrounding Indigenous communities

‍

Wissam has used his knowledge from over 35 years in project management and contracts administration to author a new book: Lump Sum Conversion for EPC Projects.  

‍

You can get a copy at https://lumpsumconversion.com/book

]]> Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:47:12 -0500 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 3463 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Wissam Eddessa. Wissam is the former Sr. Manager of Contracts for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, where he managed over $17.5B worth of contracts.

‍

They discuss:

  • How convertible contracts are mutually beneficial owners, contractors, and subcontractors
  • His experience managing multi-billion dollar contracts in a number of industries
  • The positive impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline for the surrounding Indigenous communities

‍

Wissam has used his knowledge from over 35 years in project management and contracts administration to author a new book: Lump Sum Conversion for EPC Projects.  

‍

You can get a copy at https://lumpsumconversion.com/book

]]> No Ania Mueller: So about those T&Cs Ania Mueller: So about those T&Cs full 04846667-27a9-469c-83e5-33c70c3d1c25 https://share.transistor.fm/s/212a2672 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Ania Mueller. Ania is the Manager of Delivery and Client Relationships at PayShepherd. Previously, she led a contracts management team working on the Coastal GasLink project - a multi-billion dollar capital project in Western Canada.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Ania Mueller. Ania is the Manager of Delivery and Client Relationships at PayShepherd. Previously, she led a contracts management team working on the Coastal GasLink project - a multi-billion dollar capital project in Western Canada.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 1934 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Ania Mueller. Ania is the Manager of Delivery and Client Relationships at PayShepherd. Previously, she led a contracts management team working on the Coastal GasLink project - a multi-billion dollar capital project in Western Canada.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Joe Vetrone: Progress over the decades Joe Vetrone: Progress over the decades full dec20d82-2453-421c-9544-87df1fe2f07c https://share.transistor.fm/s/34ee990b This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Joe Vetrone. Joe worked in the oil & gas sector for 34 years and held multiple senior-level roles. Before retiring, he was the SVP of GHG Emissions Reduction at Suncor.

‍

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Joe Vetrone. Joe worked in the oil & gas sector for 34 years and held multiple senior-level roles. Before retiring, he was the SVP of GHG Emissions Reduction at Suncor.

‍

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 1929 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Joe Vetrone. Joe worked in the oil & gas sector for 34 years and held multiple senior-level roles. Before retiring, he was the SVP of GHG Emissions Reduction at Suncor.

‍

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Olivier Dufourmantelle: CapEx and Karaoke Olivier Dufourmantelle: CapEx and Karaoke full 25c8558b-68cf-451d-a23e-e1f683b8041a https://share.transistor.fm/s/9271608b This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Olivier Dufourmantelle. Olivier is an entrepreneur with extensive experience overseeing large capital projects and is the former COO of Canopy Growth. 


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Olivier Dufourmantelle. Olivier is an entrepreneur with extensive experience overseeing large capital projects and is the former COO of Canopy Growth. 


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2368 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Olivier Dufourmantelle. Olivier is an entrepreneur with extensive experience overseeing large capital projects and is the former COO of Canopy Growth. 


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Mark Nagus: Construction and labor relations within the nuclear industry Mark Nagus: Construction and labor relations within the nuclear industry full 11fa6a8e-4056-4d56-a655-dd1083209f2d https://share.transistor.fm/s/cc731f59 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Mark Nagus. Mark is a Construction Manager at Bruce Power, North America's largest operating nuclear plant that provides 30 percent of Ontario’s power.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Mark Nagus. Mark is a Construction Manager at Bruce Power, North America's largest operating nuclear plant that provides 30 percent of Ontario’s power.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:51:11 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 1812 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Mark Nagus. Mark is a Construction Manager at Bruce Power, North America's largest operating nuclear plant that provides 30 percent of Ontario’s power.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Matt Ryan: Big budgets, bigger complexities Matt Ryan: Big budgets, bigger complexities full d2030cdd-a889-4969-aa22-585739612772 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2e8c2f43 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Matt Ryan. Matt is a Supply Chain Executive who has worked on numerous capital projects in the oil & gas sector, including the Coastal GasLink and Keystone XL projects.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode. 

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Matt Ryan. Matt is a Supply Chain Executive who has worked on numerous capital projects in the oil & gas sector, including the Coastal GasLink and Keystone XL projects.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode. 

]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2024 08:45:00 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2439 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Matt Ryan. Matt is a Supply Chain Executive who has worked on numerous capital projects in the oil & gas sector, including the Coastal GasLink and Keystone XL projects.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode. 

]]> No Brennan Lytle: Reviewing blueprints, budgets, and bat experts Brennan Lytle: Reviewing blueprints, budgets, and bat experts full 67bc0a8e-fe1c-41c5-b03c-3a08363f0b82 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c04b3b14 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Brennan Lytle, a Project Manager at Teck Resources. Brennan has held numerous positions within the oil & gas sector and is currently managing mining reclamation projects.


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Brennan Lytle, a Project Manager at Teck Resources. Brennan has held numerous positions within the oil & gas sector and is currently managing mining reclamation projects.


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:54:32 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2507 This episode of Billion Dollar Projects features a conversation with Brennan Lytle, a Project Manager at Teck Resources. Brennan has held numerous positions within the oil & gas sector and is currently managing mining reclamation projects.


Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No Dean King: What are the odds of that? Dean King: What are the odds of that? full 79878a96-e50f-4412-8259-5a65827e2e26 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fc2ccf15 This episode features a conversation with Dean King, a risk management professional who has worked on multiple capital projects, including the Keystone suite of projects (pipeline, power plants, and compressed air gas storage).

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> This episode features a conversation with Dean King, a risk management professional who has worked on multiple capital projects, including the Keystone suite of projects (pipeline, power plants, and compressed air gas storage).

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:36:06 -0400 Wesley Sessenwein Wesley Sessenwein 2844 This episode features a conversation with Dean King, a risk management professional who has worked on multiple capital projects, including the Keystone suite of projects (pipeline, power plants, and compressed air gas storage).

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.payshepherd.com/community so that you never miss an episode.

]]> No