Justin Gomez remembers arriving at the office one morning and seeing Black Iron Energy’s logo lit up on the side of the building.
For a company that had started with a couple people working out of their basements, it was a moment worth taking in.
As Black Iron’s first employee, Justin has been part of the work behind that growth: locating equipment, leading decommissioning crews, managing projects and helping build customer relationships. More than six years later, he serves as Senior Vice President, Operations – Americas, bringing firsthand experience across the business to the decisions he makes today.
We asked Justin to share how he got here, what helping build Black Iron has meant to him and what keeps him excited about the work ahead.
On the Tools at Fourteen
At just 14 years old, Justin began working as a construction labourer in Trinidad.
After graduating from college in Ontario, he moved to Calgary at 21 and spent four years working in project management on Calgary’s Bow Tower. His career continued through construction project management and entrepreneurship before he entered oil and gas as a project manager for a compression packager.
Then the COVID pandemic hit, and Justin lost his job. But a chance roadside conversation with a familiar face brought an unexpected silver lining, and the beginning of a whole new chapter.
A Familiar Face and a Fresh Start
While delivering food to keep things moving financially, Justin spotted Steve Zerr walking with his family and pulled over to say hello. Steve had been his boss at their previous employer, and the two had become close friends.
That conversation led to an opportunity to help Steve and Scott French build Black Iron Energy.
“The early days were all about learning: sales, equipment terminology, asking questions and, most importantly, listening to the market.”
Listening helped shape the direction of the business. The team initially thought the industry needed another compression packaging company, but conversations with the market revealed a broader opportunity.
Being willing to change direction and look beyond one category became an important part of Black Iron’s growth.
Employee Number One, and Counting
Justin’s early work at Black Iron took him into the field, locating equipment, staying in campers and working on the tools to remove equipment from sites. He led decommissioning crews from Saskatchewan to northern British Columbia and managed some of the company’s first major projects.
As the business grew, his responsibilities expanded into business management, sales and senior leadership.
“Having worked through those different parts of the business gives me a practical understanding of what it takes to deliver on the commitments we make.”
Leadership That Stays Close to the Work
Having worked across the commercial and field sides of the business, Justin understands both the commitments made to customers and the practical realities of carrying them out safely.
That experience shapes how he supports the team.
That might mean helping on the shop floor or working through a decision with ownership. As the team has grown, it also means staying accessible, understanding where people need support and knowing when to step in.
“I’ve worked across the business, from pulling wrenches to selling equipment, and I’m comfortable working shoulder to shoulder with anyone to get a task done.”
Great People, Wherever the Work Takes Us
“A great team, plain and simple. Black Iron is full of motivated people who take initiative. We bring different skills and experience to the table, which helps us work through projects, transactions and challenges efficiently.”
“Across those regions, most customers are looking for the same fundamentals: honesty, transparency, clear communication, quality equipment and fair pricing. Getting those things right builds trust.”
The Moments That Make It Real
Looking back, Justin points to several milestones that reflect what the team can do: decommissioning four Zama gas plants, taking on a 3612 KBZ/4 three-stage compressor package as Black Iron’s first retrofit, and closing multimillion-dollar international equipment sales.
But the moment that stayed with him was seeing the company’s illuminated logo.
“After remembering where we started and everything it took to get there, that felt like success. It made everything we had been building feel real.”
Family, Squash and a Little Serendipity
Outside of work, Justin enjoys travelling with his wife and two daughters. He believes in collecting experiences, and making memories as a family is a priority.
At home in Calgary, that means sports, summer beach days, winter movie nights and trips to the pool or rink.
Squash has also been a big part of his life since he was nine. He went on to captain Trinidad and Tobago’s national team and compete in the Junior Canadian and U.S. Opens.
It is also how he met Steve Zerr back in 2012, long before their roadside conversation opened the door to Black Iron.
And what would his coworkers say he is known for?
“Hopefully, they’d say I’m one of the hardest-working people they know—a problem-solver, a bit of a hustler and someone with a big sense of humour. I take the work seriously, but there’s always room for a good laugh.”
Keep Asking Questions
Justin’s advice for someone building a career in operations or energy starts with curiosity. Ask questions, listen to experienced people and take the time to understand what customers need.
He also encourages people to prepare for the industry’s ups and downs, making sensible decisions during the good years to help weather the slower ones.
“Above all, enjoy the work and the people you meet. Offer help, accept help, work hard and be honest.”
More than six years after joining as employee number one, Justin is excited about what comes next: growing Black Iron’s network of buyers and sellers and bringing the team’s capabilities to more customers across the Americas.
We’re proud to have him helping lead the way.