Sponsored by S&B
Louisiana’s energy sector faces workforce gaps, aging infrastructure and rising project complexity, prompting them to rethink their partnerships for success. At S&B, two Baton Rouge engineers demonstrate how local talent and long-term relationships drive smarter execution.
Sophie Dupree and Lindsay Haines grew up in the region, studied at Louisiana State University (LSU), and today lead critical projects for S&B that keep Louisiana’s energy sector moving forward.
Dupree joined S&B as an intern in 2011 after spotting a job posting in a newspaper. She never left. Today, she serves as S&B’s process department manager in Baton Rouge. “I wanted to be part of projects that shape our state,” Dupree said. “At S&B, I get to do that every day.”
Haines began her career at S&B in 2012 and later expanded her expertise through roles at other firms, including gaining hands-on experience working in a chemical plant.
She returned to S&B in 2021 and moved into project engineering in 2022. Now she leads alliance work with one of S&B’s long-time customers. “From the start I felt trusted with real ownership,” Haines said.
A company with Louisiana roots
S&B, a leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm, serves midstream, chemical, refining and industrial customers. Building on the legacy of its nearly 30-year affiliate, Ford, Bacon & Davis (FB&D), the company employs more than 300 Louisiana-based engineers and project specialists, including those in its Baton Rouge office.
That local presence matters. By combining regional knowledge with national resources, S&B provides customers with engineers who understand culture, regulations and expectations while delivering the scale needed for complex projects.
The role of a dedicated engineering team
Across Louisiana, oil, gas and petrochemical owners rely on local dedicated engineering teams for efficiency, consistency and cost control. These teams often embed into daily operations, gaining a deep understanding of facility standards, safety practices and operational nuances.
For Dupree and Haines, this model defines their work. Both serve on S&B’s customer alliance team, where continuity builds trust over time. They interact with many of the same owner operators year after year, which sharpens expectations and accelerates results. “I’ve supported one customer’s projects almost my entire career,” Dupree said. “You learn what they value and how they work.”
Haines added, “We know the core team and they know us, so expectations stay clear. That’s how we deliver faster.”
Why Baton Rouge matters
In one recent example, a $150 million refinery expansion in Louisiana required an aggressive schedule. The S&B team shortened the design timeline from 16 to 11 months, enabling the customer to reach the market 30% faster. Engineers achieve that kind of result only when they embed themselves in the team and take ownership.
When S&B assigns a dedicated team to a customer, that group integrates with the site’s operations. Engineers learn how the facility works, anticipate needs and deliver solutions that align with internal processes. The approach reduces delays, limits surprise and streamlines execution — an advantage that comes naturally when engineers live and work in the same community as the facilities they serve. “You feel the impact of your work because you live here,” Dupree said.
What comes next
Dupree plans to expand the process team to meet rising demand. Haines aims to advance into project management. Both see a clear path at S&B. “Leaders listen and move fast when you raise your hand,” Haines said. Dupree agreed. “At S&B, people ask what you want to do and help you reach your goals.”
Discover how S&B’s project work and engineering expertise help drive progress for customers across Louisiana at sbec.com.
