Ken O’Malley has guided aeSolutions to success for more than 25 years.
Headquartered in Greenville, aeSolutions has two other offices in the U.S., including one in Houston and another in Anchorage, Alaska. It has about 125 total employees.
With its engaged and talented team, O’Malley said “we are primarily a process safety and automation company … (and) our mission is to help our clients drive more resilient facilities and operations.”
Most of the company’s clients are process manufacturers, and oil production, chemical and petrochemical companies dealing with hazardous materials and processes.
“If things do get out of balance or operate beyond the norms, there’s potential of serious consequences for people and the environment,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley and aeSolutions survived challenging times to remain successful over the past couple of decades. Through the 2008 recession, the pandemic and the death of a founding partner, the company has maintained a steady upward trajectory, and plans are to continue that trajectory.
“We have a business plan that has us doubling in size within the next five years,” O’Malley said.
Despite having the business plan and confidence to execute it, O’Malley said there could be staffing issues. He said the number of engineers isn’t keeping pace with demand, and without an adequate flow of new talent, it could be more difficult to accomplish future goals.
O’Malley credited a dynamic and effective work culture for helping with employee retention. He also said transparency was key.
“They are very well educated and very intelligent,” he said. “If you give them the facts, and help them understand what went into that decision, then generally, even if they don’t agree or like it, understand how you got there.”
