When did you join John Zink? What initially attracted you to John Zink?

I started in May 2013 as an intern. Initially, I wanted to gain industrial experience to decide whether to continue for a PhD program or start working. After my internship, I chose to stay at John Zink due to the excellent equipment, company culture and friendships.  

What has your career journey looked like so far?

I started as a project management engineer but soon realized process engineering was a better fit. I transitioned to process engineering for flare gas recovery and then took on responsibilities for other vapor control equipment. I served as process engineering manager for the vapor control team for two years before becoming Head of Technology for the team. Throughout the years, I’ve gained extensive knowledge in process engineering, mentoring, and managing projects and teams. 

How has John Zink and KES supported your professional development and career growth?

My mentors and the knowledgeable people within the business are always eager to share their expertise, significantly expanding my skills and knowledge. John Zink offers many training courses, and my supervisors have always supported external training relevant to my work.

 

 “My mentors and the knowledgeable people within the business are always eager to share their expertise, significantly expanding my skills and knowledge.”

Hai Lai, Head of Technology – Vapor


Do you have a mentor or do you serve as a mentor to others?

Yes, I have had many mentors for both technical and non-technical aspects. They helped me realize my potential and maximize my contribution to the team. They have helped shape who I am today. Being a mentor myself is very fulfilling as sharing my knowledge with the next generation and seeing them grow is one of the best parts of my job.

How would you describe the company culture at John Zink?

This is a place where employees are encouraged to proactively acquire and share knowledge and respectfully challenge processes. For example, we’ve often questioned standard designs and operations, leading to significant improvements and changes in our standards.

Can you describe an impactful project that highlights John Zink’s commitment to advancing technology and environmental stewardship? What was your role?

We developed NOxSTAR™, a low NOx combustor technology that significantly reduces NOx and CO emissions. I worked as a process engineer, spending weeks on various sites with other engineers to study and tune the units. NOxSTAR™ is now one of the best low NOx emission technologies in the industry.

How does being part of the KES/KII network enhance your experience and opportunities at John Zink?

Although John Zink has experts in many disciplines; there are a few disciplines that we don’t have such as metallurgist or corrosion experts. Being part of the Koch network allows me to access those experts and resources from other Koch companies.

Which PBM™ principle resonates with you the most, and how do you apply it in your role to create value?

The Knowledge principle resonates with me most. It allows me to quickly gain knowledge, challenge and implement new ideas and freely improve my skills. 

Reflecting on your time at John Zink, what makes you most proud to be part of this team?

I am proud that we are the leader in providing environmental control equipment and that we value our customers by being honest about what we can and can’t do. We keep our word and work diligently to resolve any issues.

Just for fun – If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would explore the Amazon jungle. I love nature and adventure.