Davis Turner’s journey to becoming a Technical Manager is shaped by curiosity, mentorship, and a steadfast dedication to continuous improvement.
Originally from a small town in North Louisiana, Turner brings with him a work ethic and grounded perspective that reflect his upbringing.
Since starting his career with Chevron in 1996, Turner has held roles at the company’s Headquarters in the Woodlands, along with the Cedar Bayou, Orange and Port Arthur plants before moving into his current position at Golden Triangle Polymers. A graduate of Louisiana Tech with a degree in chemical engineering, he entered the industry with a deep interest in problem-solving—an interest that has remained central to his career.
Navigating a Greenfield Project with Strategic Focus
Turner leads a team of process engineers, control specialists, lab technicians, and project reliability experts. As Technical Manager, his responsibilities include aligning operations with long-term strategic goals and ensuring readiness for full plant functionality.
The GTP project is distinctive in its scope. Unlike an existing plant with established procedures and infrastructure, this project requires building everything from the ground up. Turner and his team are actively engaging subject matter experts from across the industry to adopt best practices and integrate them into a new, custom-built operational model.
“We’re reaching out to other plants, taking the best of all those pieces, and molding it into what it’s going to be,” Turner said. “This is about making products better and operations more efficient.”
Investing in Culture and Knowledge Transfer
Alongside the technical development, Turner is also focused on building a cohesive team culture. Part of his strategy involves sending staff to established facilities for hands-on training.
This approach supports a broader goal: growing a strong technical culture grounded in shared knowledge, consistency, and operational excellence. The emphasis is not only on getting systems in place, but on preparing people to lead and maintain those systems effectively.
Long-Term Commitment to Education and Community
Turner’s passion for technical excellence is matched by his dedication to volunteer service. For over 20 years, he has worked with Junior Achievement, bringing science and financial literacy education to classrooms in Southeast Texas. He also serves as a board member for the LSC-O Foundation, supporting scholarships that connect students with real-world industry training.
His efforts have helped bridge the gap between high school education and careers in process technology, offering students direct exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pathways. The scholarship programs and equipment donations he’s helped facilitate have become valuable resources for students preparing to enter the petrochemical workforce.
“It’s about creating opportunity and providing the tools needed to succeed in this industry,” Turner said.
Family, Faith, and Lifelong Service
Outside of work, Turner enjoys spending time with his family—his wife Jaime and their three children—along with fishing, relaxing on the lake, and volunteering through his church. Whether it’s organizing local clean-up efforts or supporting holiday programs through Meals on Wheels, Turner remains active in giving back.
With nearly three decades in the petrochemical field, Turner continues to lead with clarity and purpose. His combination of technical skill, community involvement, and team-first leadership is helping shape both the plant and the people around him for long-term success.
