Austin Erthal
About Austin Erthal
Austin Erthal is a Second Class Technician at Spire Energy, where he rebuilds and maintains regulators and control valves, including Fisher control valves. He holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Instrumentation and Control Systems and Chemical Process Technology, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Industrial Management.
Work at Spire Energy
Austin Erthal serves as a Second Class Technician at Spire Energy, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he is responsible for rebuilding and maintaining various regulators and control valves, including Fisher control valves. He interacts with the SCADA control room to ensure the proper distribution of natural gas in the St. Louis area. Additionally, he is tasked with odorizing natural gas using an NJEX system, contributing to safety measures in the natural gas distribution process.
Education and Expertise
Austin Erthal has a solid educational background in technical fields. He studied Instrumentation and Control Systems at Lewis and Clark Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree from 2016 to 2020. He also studied Chemical Process Technology at the same institution, achieving another AAS degree during the same period. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Industrial Management at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, expected to complete in 2024.
Professional Experience
Prior to his current role at Spire Energy, Austin Erthal gained diverse experience in the energy and retail sectors. He worked as a Petrochemical Operator at SABIC from 2019 to 2021. He also completed internships at Phillips 66 and Eastman in 2018, each lasting one month, where he gained practical insights into the industry. Additionally, he worked as a Sales Floor Associate at Kohl's from 2018 to 2019, enhancing his customer service skills.
Background and Early Education
Austin Erthal completed his high school education at Alton High School from 2012 to 2016. His early education laid the foundation for his subsequent studies in technical fields, leading to his current career in the energy sector. His academic journey reflects a commitment to understanding complex systems and processes, which is evident in his current role at Spire Energy.
Internship Experience
Austin Erthal has completed several internships that provided him with valuable industry experience. In 2018, he interned at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center, where he gained insights into the biofuel industry. His internships at Phillips 66 and Eastman also contributed to his understanding of operational processes in the energy sector, enhancing his technical skills and industry knowledge.