Take two hunting buddies, add long rides to and from their deer lease, and ample time to talk about the future, and the outcome is a start-up inspection services company poised for success.

Steve McElwee and his business partner, Gerald Metcalf, kicked around the idea of forming their own inspection services company for nearly four years. McElwee has worked for inspection companies in the Houston area’s booming petrochemical industry as an API inspector for years, so he is armed with a good idea of what inspectors want from an employer.

His experience as sales manager for Conam Inspection — McElwee’s most recent position, before branching out on his own in August to start InSpec Resources LLC — exposed him to the business side of the inspection industry, giving him a unique perspective, so the end result is someone who has been on both sides of the fence.

“With the experience I have gained over the past 25 years, there’s not a lot about the industry that can surprise me,” McElwee said. “Inspection is my comfort zone, and I am confident I can make a positive contribution to the inspection services industry.”

McElwee’s experience in industry began working as a pipe welder for several construction companies, fabricating and welding pipe along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. This led to McElwee becoming an American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). He then moved into working in new construction as quality control manager, project manager and construction superintendent. McElwee’s fascination with seeing what damage mechanisms were taking place and why equipment was corroding led him to acquire the API 510, 570 and 653 certifications to further his career in inspection. He worked on several mechanical integrity projects prior to transitioning into sales management.

“Inspection attracts me because there’s not a lot of gray area, and it comes second nature from my hands-on background in welding and pipe fitting,” McElwee said. “Knowing how piping and equipment is put together makes for a more well-rounded inspector. That experience can’t be taught in a classroom.”  

McElwee said it’s a big change going from inspection and sales to being a company owner — something new he is taking in stride as InSpec Resources grows.

“Starting a new business is more than just printing some business cards,” he said. “It has been a learning experience that has resulted in a lot of challenges and opportunities. It’s a whole different mindset and set of goals. In sales, you worry about meeting your quotas and keeping the customers happy. But owning a business consists of a magnitude of things to worry about, like keeping the books, creating a Web site, determining market strategy, budgeting, hiring the right inspectors and a myriad of other things.”

InSpec Resources’ recipe for success includes attracting the best inspectors in the business. McElwee wants the inspectors on staff to be happy to work for his company, and encourages that loyalty with the company’s 401(k) program and other incentives.

“The norm is that inspectors bounce around, but our goal is to make it a career — not just a job — with families and retirement in mind,” he said. “The job market for inspectors is very dynamic with a shortage of qualified inspectors, which is driving up the price for their services. Inspectors are in a position to make choices and work for employers who provide them the best opportunities.”

McElwee expects to see InSpec Resources become a major supplier of API inspection services in the Texas Gulf Coast area, and hopes that having a good reputation in the industry will serve as the foundation of this success.

“I have learned that integrity and trust are the major contributing factors to your reputation, and in this industry your reputation is everything,” he said.

McElwee and his wife, Karan, a second grade teacher at San Jacinto Elementary, live in Deer Park, Texas, and have four children — Brandon, an architect in Houston; Cody, a chiropractor in Conroe, Texas; Cullen, a junior at Texas A&M Kingsville; and Kaitlyn, a freshman at Texas Tech University. In his spare time, McElwee enjoys golf, deer hunting, fishing, barbecuing and watching ball games.

To learn more, call (281) 461-9900 or e-mail steve.mcelwee@inspecresources.com.