How critical is the need for leadership in the energy industry? "In the next 10 years, we have to find and bring online 10 Saudi Arabias. I'd say leadership will be required," said David Welch, chief executive of Lafayette, Louisiana-based Stone Energy Corp. Welch was among executives who spoke on the subject of leadership at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston last month. Art Shroeder, CEO of Houston-based Energy Valley Inc., an energy-technology marketer, said, "If you deal with the problems surrounding energy, the rest of the world's problems will almost resolve themselves." Houston mayor Bill White, a former energy-industry executive and deputy U.S. energy secretary, said, "Energy is so essential to the economy, the providers are viewed with fear. It's the nature of the human mind. That's why it's so important for this industry to be viewed as a good citizen." Many of the woes facing the E&P business today can be improved, if not solved, through technology and active engagement. "[Good] leaders are aware of the need for even more technology," said Ken Arnold, senior executive vice president of Houston-based engineering firm Amec Paragon. "And leaders don't just recognize trends-they anticipate them for clients, projects and technology." Gaurdie Banister, technical director, EP Americas, Shell E&P, said, "We have been operating in a mode of 'trust me,' 'tell me' and 'show me.' We need to move into a world of 'engage me' instead. "Communities will no longer allow willy-nilly behaviors in this industry that lack sustainability. We will only become leaders in this business if we emerge as leaders and start to engage globally. Otherwise projects won't get finished and you can't supply any energy." Another growing concern for energy companies is staffing. "The reality is that we have an aging workforce," said Lisa Stewart, president, production and nonregulated operations for El Paso Corp. "By 2008, 63% of our energy workforce will be 45 or older. The pool of upstream professionals is declining, and the new entrants are very inexperienced." The number of schools offering engineering degrees in the U.S. has dropped from 34 to 19 since 1980, she added. White suggested open-mindedness when staffing. "A modern, farsighted energy leader will build a culture of globalization that says any person can rise to any level if they have the skills and the knowledge to do so," he said. "Success in this area can be one of the best things I can think of for this industry and the human race." Banister said, "Leaders are going to recognize that China and India have large numbers of graduates in the geo-sciences and operations. As for the U.S., we need to increase the critical mass of people into the industry. And academically, reading, writing and arithmetic aren't enough. We've got to improve the quality of the hands-on sciences." Stewart said, "This industry needs to get off the defense and start playing offense. We need to leave the past in the past and build the sustainability of a solid workforce so people can have stable careers. If we do this, we can attract new recruits and begin to build our industry."