Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Amelia, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Lisa Williams is the director of public relations for McDermott and participated in the previous study. Though she is only in her 30s, she was recommended to us because she is one of two third-generation employees working for McDermott. When I called to tell her about the history study, she was happy to participate to share information about the company and her own family history. Because of her position in public relations as well as family's long involvement in fabrication, her interview provides perspectives on the role of McDermott in the community as well as the impact of offshore-related work on families.

Lisa began working at McDermott in 1989 through the company's program to hire employees children. Her grandfather, Oliver Topham, worked for McDermott from the 1950s to 1983; her father, Gerald Topham, worked for the company from 1961 to 1998. Lisa grew up in Morgan City with little knowledge of what her father did. The community experienced the ups and downs of the oil industry, and for Lisa that translated most clearly into how her parents managed the family budget; their conservative practices kept the family from experiencing the dramatic swings that many of their friends and acquaintances did. One major impact of the 1980s downturn was that Lisa's parents pushed all their children to go to college and broaden their opportunities. Lisa studied communications and ended up bringing her knowledge and skills to McDermott in the Public Relations Department.