About

Sam Thigpen is a recognized business leader, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™, and avid outdoorsman. As the CEO of Sapphire Gas Solutions, a natural gas solutions company based in Conroe, TX, Mr. Thigpen continually supports the growing use of LNG and CNG in various industries and applications across North America.

During his over 20 years in the natural gas industry, Mr. Thigpen has experience in gas processing, offshore service, International service, pipeline operations, new pipeline, and facility construction, executive leadership, and the execution of buy/sell transactions of private companies.

Prior to being named as CEO of Sapphire, Mr. Thigpen founded, and led, Thigpen Energy, and later Thigpen Solutions. These businesses are now a part of Sapphire. Prior to the founding of Thigpen Solutions, Sam was recruited by Chart Industries to start, and lead, Chart Lifecycle, Inc. This was an international service company focused on petrochemical and LNG facility services around the world.

Mr. Thigpen studied Finance and International Business at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, TX. He is also a lifetime member of MENSA, an avid offshore fisherman, and has competed in sporting clays at both the amateur and professional levels.

Neal has more than 41 years of experience in the Oil & Gas Industry, LNG & CNG. Before joining Sapphire as Director of Operations, Neal was Director of Technical Services and HSE for Charger Energy Services. Before Charger, Neal was Director of Fabrication/Field Services, QA & HSE for Joule Processing, LLC. Located in Houston, Texas. He has held the following positions: Sr. Construction Manager, Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, Operations Construction Superintendent, and Process/Pipeline Foreman.
Neal’s previous experience includes Upstream, Midstream, Downstream Operations, Construction, Fabrication QAQC & HSE. He also brings experience in PSM, DOT, Non-DOT plants, pipeline installation, maintenance, and Operations, including Balance of Plant Startup and Commissioning.
Neal has a degree in Industrial Instrumentation DCS -Distributed Control systems and Solar Turbines Installation, Operations, and Maintenance, and is currently a Qualified Veriforce/PEC Safety Instructor.

For the past 20+ years, as a Senior Sales and Logistics Management Executive, Doug has gained invaluable experience in sales management, strategic planning, new business development, logistics management, P&L management, and sales forecasting. His expertise in managing and developing a national sales team will allow him to implement his knowledge of envisioning and executing innovative sales and marketing strategies to drive market expansion across Sapphire’s wide range of applications.