Makers of Methanol: Colten Poche on Proactive Reliability Engineering

At the Koch Methanol St. James facility, keeping production running smoothly requires constant attention to long-term engineering solutions. Reliability engineers take a focused approach to supporting stable, predictable equipment operation at the facility. They look ahead, analyzing facility equipment to prevent production disruptions.

Colten Poche, a reliability engineer at the site, focuses on this proactive approach every day. To Colten, his position is about solving technical puzzles to maintain efficiency and support his teammates.

“As a reliability engineer, I try to identify bad actors,” Colten explained. “Pumps, valves, turbines — things that could give us trouble over and over again. If we can find a way to make that better and more reliable, and to ease the work around us, then we’re going to do that. In this role, you want to be preventative and proactive.”

Building an engineering career at Koch Methanol

Colten has deep roots in the local community. He was born and raised in nearby Paulina, located on the east bank of the river in St. James Parish.

His history with Koch Methanol began during his studies at LSU, where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering. During his college career, Colten completed three internships and an engineering co-op at the St. James site, working part-time during his senior year before transitioning to a full-time role after graduation. This extensive involvement at the facility gave him a true understanding of daily operations and team culture.

“There is a great culture of learning here that encourages you to ask questions and stay curious,” Colten shared. “I love that my role aligns with my strengths without limiting me to a cookie-cutter path. My supervisor and I have regular discussions about my development, and I do not feel capped in my potential.”

How reliability engineers use data to prevent equipment issues

Colten starts his morning early to prepare for a full day of production. He reads through daily logs to understand what occurred during the night shift, then participates in morning maintenance and production meetings.

“Getting the right people in a group to solve a problem really helps my team succeed,” Colten noted. “Everyone here brings a different background and different knowledge to the table, so when we collaborate, we are able to find the best possible solution.”

His daily work involves monitoring facility equipment, collaborating across departments and planning for future facility turnarounds. To stay ahead of potential issues, Colten incorporates data analysis tools into his workflow. His team uses AI software to transcribe and summarize meetings, allowing them to review information quarterly to track operational trends and patterns.

“Having those summaries helps us prioritize our tasks,” Colten said. “In this field, our biggest accomplishments are the things that do not happen. When the facility has a quiet day of production, it means our preventative strategies worked exactly as intended.”

A personal commitment to the St. James community

For Colten, working at the St. James facility is a way to take ownership in his own backyard. The team operates with a strong focus on shared stewardship, working closely together and knowing each other by name.

“Because I work in the same community where I live, I can really do things with pride and know that I am doing my job the right way,” Colten noted. “It’s a good feeling to be giving back to the place that has been there for me all throughout my life.”

That desire to give back extends to the next generation of local talent. Having benefited from guidance during his own internships, Colten makes it a priority to support current interns. He also recently returned to his alma mater, Lutcher High School, to represent Koch Methanol at a career fair. For Colten, speaking with students and former teachers was a rewarding way to show how a local graduate can build a fulfilling career close to home.

As he continues at Koch Methanol, Colten values the opportunity to keep learning and guiding others.

“I received so much help from so many different people, and now in a full-time role, I am starting to provide help back,” Colten said. “That has been really fulfilling.”

By combining his engineering background with a commitment to his community, Colten helps the St. James facility operate reliably. His proactive approach keeps production steady, helping provide the foundational methanol component used in countless products around the world.