Robert Sladek
Prioritizing industry best practices
Founder, CEO, Principal Analyst and RBI Expert at Sladek Asset Integrity, LLC
Industry Involvement
Rob Sladek began participation in the fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) community in 2012 while working for Bayer. Since then, he has been very active in the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI), the API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (IMI) Summit, delivering presentations at industry conferences and authoring articles for the Inspectioneering Journal (IJ). He is known for his practical insights explaining the inner workings of complicated technologies.
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How I got involved
Quite honestly, the primary reason I engaged in API SCIMI was to check a role/responsibility box to get my next promotion. After attending a few meetings, I developed a deep appreciation for the process, debate, respect and recognition the SCIMI membership displayed. Everyone tends to welcome newcomers to the group hoping to glean a fresh insight.
About API SCIMI
The SCIMI membership is made up of volunteers who are FEMI leaders in their respective companies and the FEMI industry. Maintaining standards is no easy task. There are often multiple ways to interpret what is written which spurs great debate and provide you with a deeper knowledge. It can be taxing considering all comments and interpretations – there have been 30+minute debates over a single sentence.
The network of colleagues and friends I have established via SCIMI participation is the foundation of my current expertise.
It is easy to get involved; conference attendance is open to all interested parties. Come check it out and see for yourself.
Beyond SCIMI
Once engaged in the SCIMI membership, I took advantage of volunteer position opportunities supporting the Inspection Summit. Just like anything else in life, you start at the entry level position. If you work hard and are interested, you move up the ladder in the next iteration.
This led to introductions to the fine folks at Inspectioneering and opportunities to publish articles related to the presentations I delivers at the Summit. As my branding was building, I received invitations to share my knowledge at other industry conferences and even owner sites.
None of this was part of my original plan. I was originally selfish just wanting an avenue to get a promotion/raise. I ended up with a huge network of great, like-minded people who all help to make an impact in the industry by sharing and documenting best practices.
