By Lisa Bisbee
A Wyoming native, Matt Haigler spent his entire life in the state before accepting a job with Halliburton Co. shortly after graduating from the University of Wyoming in 2010. Since joining Halliburton, he has had the opportunity to work across the globe, to supervise more than 45 employees, and to improve and test systems.
“It has been really challenging,” Haigler says. “I’m really glad I picked Halliburton and this route specifically.”
Joining Halliburton’s Supply Chain Management Program, Haigler found himself in a fast-paced, premier talent development program, rotating through four different Halliburton facilities throughout the world in two and a half years.
“Any rotational program is a great way to start your career,” Haigler explains. “You get a lot of different experiences and build a network of people to help build your career.”
His first rotation took him to Duncan, Okla., where he focused on balancing internal and external supply for Halliburton’s production enhancement manufacturing group. From there, Haigler served as a supplier quality professional in Houston, Texas, and then moved to Alvarado, Texas, where he worked as a warehouse and logistics supervisor for the Halliburton Jet Research Center. Next up, Haigler worked for Halliburton’s drilling and evaluation group in Singapore, focused on reducing repair lead times.
“I’ve lived most of my life in Laramie, and Singapore is about as different from Wyoming as you can get,” Haigler says. “It’s a cultural hub and very densely populated.”
Through the rotations, Haigler says he was challenged to develop his critical thinking skills and implement strategic actions, while focusing on customer value. Every three months he presented to Halliburton’s executive team on his project status and growth as a leader.
“Each rotation was challenging,” Haigler says. “I found great mentors. Had I not found them, I might not have made it through the program.”
Returning from Singapore last December, Haigler was offered a job as production group leader, supervising 45 employees at Halliburton’s Alvarado facility. He recently accepted a new role as the supply chain strategy lead for perforating hardware.
“I hadn’t worked as a front-line production leader during my rotations, so it is great to get this experience,” he says. “It’s kind of like running my own small business.”
Haigler grew up in Laramie, attending Cowboy football games and other events on campus. So it only seemed natural when he graduated from Laramie High School in 2005 to continue his education at UW.
“I spent a great deal of time on campus even as a kid,” he says. “UW’s always been a part of my life.”
Interested in energy policy, economics and law, Haigler was one of the first students to enroll in UW’s new Energy Systems Engineering program.
“It seemed right up my alley,” he says. “Actually, another student and I were the first graduates of the program.”
While a UW student, Haigler served as president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming. He also launched “Pokes Vote,” a campaign to help provide voter education across campus, and participated in an Engineers Without Borders Guatemala project. He credits these experiences, his family and his coursework in preparing him for his career.
Still an avid Cowboys fan—even waking at 4 a.m. in Singapore to listen to a Cowboy football game—Haigler looks back at his time at UW fondly. He returns to Laramie often, taking in Cowboy football games, visiting family and enjoying his home state.
“I really wanted to stay in Wyoming [but] ended up leaving and have had a really neat experience,” Haigler says. “I feel very fortunate and look forward to the opportunities that are still to come.”
