15
QUESTIONS
WITH...
HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
96
Jim DeMartini
President, The National Institute for Storage Tank Management (NISTM)
Jim DeMartini was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Florida State University in 1983 with
a Bachelors in Education, and a Minor in Business. From 1984 to 1989, DeMartini was a teacher at Mosley
High School in Panama City, Florida, as well as a varsity basketball coach. In 1989, DeMartini founded the
NISTM and has been President of the organisation ever since. He celebrated his 25
th
anniversary in 2015.
01.
Describe your job in 10 words.
Providing education, resources and training for the storage tank
industry.
02.
What will be the highlight of the 18
th
NISTM
International Conference in April?
NISTM will provide funding for the National Association
of State Aboveground Storage Tank Programs (NASAP). The
Orlando conference is the only one in the nation that will
have a majority of all the aboveground storage tank (AST)
programme managers. Although there has been limited
travel for government agencies to attend, many of the
state’s AST programme managers have been attending for
several years.
03.
And what about the 9
th
NISTM Annual National
Conference in September?
The conference and trade show has grown by 40% in one
year. We have expanded the trade show and moved to a
larger venue at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. I believe
this show has the ability to grow larger than our Orlando
conference.
04.
What is your biggest achievement?
Celebrating NISTM’s 25
th
year anniversary in 2015.
05.
What is your favourite film?
Trapeze, starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.
06.
How has the NISTM changed since it was founded
in 1989?
In NISTM’s early days, we conducted OSHA training, RCRA,
and other types of certification classes. As NISTM has grown
over the last 25 years, we have progressed to host state,
national, and international conference and trade shows.
07.
What is your favourite food?
My mother’s Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, dressing, gravy,
corn, etc.
08.
Where do you see the North American storage
sector in 10 years time?
I think that it is going to expand due to the forecast of
growth. Export opportunities that are forecasted would
require expansion and more facilities.
09.
Apart from NISTM events, do you attend any other
industry events?
I attend maybe one or two trade shows a year. Most of my
time is dedicated to NISTM.
10.
If you could meet one famous historical figure,
who would it be?
Abraham Lincoln.
11.
Sum up the NISTM in 10 words.
Education and networking place for owners, vendors,
consultants and regulators.
12.
What advice do you have for people looking to
join the oil and gas storage sector?
Pick your specialty and match your education to focus on
that specialty. Degrees will be important.
13.
What do you think can be done to increase
environmental awareness within the storage
sector?
Examine case studies to identify better ways in the future to
handle it. Education will be very important.
14.
Who is your favourite artist/band?
Pink Floyd.
15.
What’s next for the NISTM?
Expand and strive to always keep improving our conferences
and trade shows. We encourage feedback from our vendors,
attendees, speakers and staff to achieve this goal. Customer
service has always been the most important aspect of NISTM.
