About TDI-Brooks International
Our Background
Global Services
TDI-Brooks is a research and service company specializing in high-end environmental chemistry; multi-disciplinary oceanographic and environmental projects; surface geochemical exploration and heat flow; geotechnical and offshore survey projects for the O&G industry as well as federal and state agencies.
TDI-Brooks has a remote domestic office located in Houston, TX and strategically placed offices around the globe. The company has international affiliates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria (TDI-Brooks Nigeria Ltd.) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GSI-Brooks) with branch offices in Colombia (TDI-Brooks Sucursal Colombia) and Mexico.
TDI-Brooks owns and operates mult-use research vessels; The R/V Proteus and R/V Gyre . We also have the R/V Brooks McCall and R/V Miss Emma McCall on long-term charter. Our vessels are primarily engaged in geotechnical and geochemical coring and data acquisition, hazard surveys, environmental surveys, physical oceanography, heat flow, and high resolution site surveys.
TDI-Brooks provides laboratory analysis of sediment and water samples collected via our state-of-the-art laboratory facility in College Station, Texas. The environmental, geochemical, and geotechnical laboratories provide high-quality analytical services and scientific interpretation.
All 3 laboratories are staffed with highly skilled scientists and chemists who have worked in partnership with federal and state agencies as well as the private energy and environmental industry for over 24 years.
Pioneers in our field
TDI-Brooks was formed in mid-1996 when both Dr. James Brooks and Dr. Bernie Bernard left their management positions with a research center at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The corporate headquarters is situated on 100 acres just north of Houston in College Station, Texas. Here you will find our environmental, geochemical and geotechnical laboratories.
TDI-Brooks has a staff of nearly one-hundred individuals including fourteen Ph.D. level oceanographers, geochemists, biologists and geologists.
We started by developing our capabilities in the marine seabed geochemical exploration market, a market that we originated in the early 1980s while at the university. TDI-Brooks has federal projects from NOAA, US Fish & Wildlife Service, USEPA, USGS and BOEM.
TDI-Brooks strives to provide a professional service to support each client and project by incorporating industry resources, relationships, technology, and safe practices.
Our Mission
Our mission is to safely deliver high-quality oceanographic services, including acquisition, sampling, analysis and scientific interpretation, to the marine environmental, geochemical, geotechnical and survey marketplace.
Our Value Proposition
We will deliver services of value to our customers using our initiative, competence, experience,
training, systems, and expertise in these market niches, in trade for fair compensation, learnings,
and the joy of discovery.
Our Values
- We believe in pursuing true, systematic, effective safety.
- We believe in technical and business integrity.
- We believe in persevering until we deliver.
- We believe in delivering more value than our customer specifies.
- We believe in being relentless in our drive to improve.
- We believe in giving first and receiving later.
- We believe in treating our customers and suppliers as friends.
- We believe in treating our employees and business partners as family.
- We believe in honoring the commitments we make.
- We believe in showing good faith.
- We believe in having fun.
- We believe that our reputation is more valuable than our net worth.
Safety management
TDI-Brooks has created a Comprehensive Training Program with the goal of training, supporting and engaging our employees in a continual improvement process.
A summary of our HSE statistics are available for download here:
Safety Management
At TDI-Brooks, we realize that the strength of our safety system is heavily dependent on our front line employees. That is why we have worked hard to establish a two way dialogue between upper management and the employees on deck.
To improve communications and reinforce the importance of safety practices, the vessels are visited regularly by members of upper management, and most of our office employees are expected to work offshore each year.
TDI-Brooks has developed Core Safety Training for all employees who work on our vessels, both vessel crew and technical party. This main training provides an introduction to our Safety Management System and safety processes.
Our Safety Management System extends well beyond our written manual into all aspects of our operations, including our shore side and land based operations.
Our Behavior Based Safety system is integral to our key safety policies and procedures, such as permit to work procedures, mentors for short service employees, toolbox talks, job safety analysis, safety observation cards and weekly HSE special topic training. Each aspect emphasizes each employee’s right and obligation to participate in planning the work, complete the job safely and report any potential issues and STOP WORK if it is unsafe, regardless of their position or seniority.
Employees are encouraged to participate in their own safety through monthly Risk Reviews, the HSE comments section in the weekly reports, Master’s Reviews, safety observation cards and contributions to the monthly safety newsletter.
Transparency and Anti-corruption
ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
We act fairly and ethically wherever we conduct business, whether domestic or internationally. Our code of ethics and integrity capture our belief and intent in making the right decisions that impact our clients, our personnel, our suppliers, and the communities where we live and work. We have a core set of values to guide us every day, and we do the right thing, even when it’s difficult, not convenient, or not popular or observed by others.
An important part of our culture is recognizing that doing business with integrity is a shared responsibility. Every person engaged in our business efforts, whether as an employee, consultant, agent, contractor or in any other capacity, has a responsibility to act with the highest level of integrity and sound judgement regarding any form of corruption or bribery that would be in conflict with our core values.
We believe that what we do is important — and how we do it is even more so. We work hard to earn and maintain the respect of our partners, investors, and clients around the globe. As we strive to continually deliver strong business value, we want to ensure that we achieve those results in the proper and forward-looking way. We take a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in all its forms and do not accept corruption or bribery in our business or by those with whom we do business.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
We prohibit soliciting, making, or accepting facilitation payments or “kickbacks” of any kind to government officials, foreign agencies, political parties, or party officials. We are committed to complying with all applicable laws in our operations, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FPCA). The FPCA is a U.S. law that prohibits bribes to government officials (including political candidates and political parties) in order to influence their acts or decisions to our favor. The FPCA also prohibits payments to intermediaries or agents when the payments may be used to direct improper payments to foreign officials. “Kickbacks” and bribes do not involve only cash. They can also involve gifts, products, trips, or anything else of value. Many other countries around the world have similar laws that we must also strictly follow. The FCPA also prohibits payments to intermediaries or agents when the payments may be used to direct improper payments to foreign officials.
INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS
Further, we intend not to just act in accordance with those legal requirements, but to conduct all our industrial business in accordance with the honesty and integrity intended and reflected by our core values. We are expected to report any suspected illegal or unethical business activity. No employee, agent, contractor, vendor, or other affiliated party may directly or indirectly, offer, guarantee, pay, gift, grant or authorize any financial or other advantage to any other person or organization, with the intent to secure an improper advantage for us. Likewise, no employee, agent, contractor or vendor may accept payment or gifts from a third party if they know or suspect that it is offered or provided with an expectation that a business advantage will be provided in return.
Data Integrity: It is our policy to conduct all business with integrity and in an ethical manner. It is essential that every employee understand and adhere to these ethical standards in order to preserve the basis integrity of all work products. Data integrity concerns the ability to define and defend that the entire survey, data acquisition, and analytical process has been “unimpaired” and performed following appropriate practices and procedures. The ability to defend the integrity of the data is by complete documentation of actions and activities, which includes such items as: (1) maintaining chain of custody and security of the samples; (2) clear documentation of the activities performed in the preparation and analysis of the samples and in the final data reduction, review, and reporting; and (3) by maintaining complete and clear files of these records.
Violation of this Ethics, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, formal reprimand, demotion, reassignment, or termination of employment, depending on the circumstances and gravity of the case.
CORPORATE social RESPONSIBILITY
TDI-Brooks is committed to investing in the communities and environment in which we live and work. That means dedicating our time, efforts and funds to support opportunities wherever they emerge. We develop relationships with non-profit partners to deliver a positive impact and drive sustainable projects that make a difference.
We strive to improve the lives of people in many different ways.
Corporate Responsibility is much more than charitable funding; it’s taking the lead to do right by building a better future for every community. These projects aim to provide sustainable and long-term benefits to our community.
TDI-Brooks’ employees are passionate about engaging in their local communities and we encourage them to contribute to the communities where they live and work.
Aggieland Pets With A Purpose
Aggieland Pets With A Purpose is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Brazos Valley area residents by enhancing their physical, social and emotional well-being with the unconditional love of our pets. APWAP provides volunteers and evaluated and trained animals for educational, rehabilitative and emotional assistance purposes. Our very own Shannon Smith is an active volunteer for this organization.
American heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke.
BRAZOS VALLEY FOOD BANK
In an effort for a “hunger-free Brazos Valley”. TDI-Brooks supports the fund raising efforts of the Brazos Valley Food Bank by Sponsoring their annual “Celebration For Hope Dinner”.
BRAZOS VALLEY museum of natural history
The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History has served the Brazos Valley in many ways since its founding in 1961. The Museum’s current mission is to preserve and protect natural and cultural history, to stimulate its understanding, and to encourage responsible stewardship of all natural and cultural resources. It accomplishes this through: 1) the preservation of artifacts and natural specimens; 2) the presentation of exhibits and educational programming; and 3) cooperative partnerships with arts and cultural organizations, community oriented entities, and academic institutions throughout the Brazos Valley.
There is no other museum within a 100 mile radius of Bryan and College Station which focuses on natural and cultural history and encourages human interaction with nature.
BRAZOS YOUTH CAREER FAIR
Each year TDI-Brooks supports the Brazos County Youth to Career Fair which aims to expose area 8th graders to careers as they enter high school and begin to think about plans after graduation. Our team looks forward to each year explaining our methods and tools use for offshore surveys. The children also enjoy our fun laboratory show & tell.
bryan noon lions club
Our purpose is TO SERVE our community, our state, our country and our world. Our fund raising efforts support many local charities, especially those providing services to special needs children and victims of unexpected events such as natural disasters.
Buddy Walk
college station HS Cougar Band & Guards
Unlike many traditional fundraisers, 100% of the proceeds go directly to the 225 members of the Cougar Band & Guard. TDI-Brook’s donation helps fund production, composition, design and props for our marching show, new instruments, meals at games and contests, uniforms and uniform upkeep, transportation, band trailer maintenance, marching band props, clinicians and techs, special guest band instructors and judges, scholarships, and so much more ! A music education helps develop language and reasoning, teaches students to work together as a team, gives them a sense of achievement and helps with their emotional and social development.
college station isd education foundation
Our mission is to provide resources to inspire learning, enrich teaching and recognize accomplishments of College Station ISD students and teachers through partnering with community individuals and businesses.
girl scouts of america
TDI-Brooks and B&B Laboratories recently teamed up to present a glow-themed workshop “Get Your GLOW On” for over 30 Girl Scouts from Central Texas eager to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
"Heroes" Luncheon
TDI-Brooks is a proud Sponsor of the Bryan College Station Lyons Club’s annual Luncheon honoring local Heros. The luncheon is a salute and thank you to the Brazos Valley Area law enforcement, firefighters and emergency response professionals.
Hospice Brazos Valley
Hospice Brazos Valley is the only non-profit hospice provider serving 17 central Texas counties since 1989. The non-profit difference means that patients, not profits, guide the comprehensive care you receive. TDI-Brooks are proud sponsors towards the fundrasiing efforts of this organization.
Marine Technology Society
The Marine Technology Society promotes awareness, understanding, and the advancement and application of marine technology. The Houston Chapter of MTS holds monthly meetings and 3 fundraisers each year. All proceeds from these events provide annual scholarships to students from local Texas Universities. TDI-Brooks are proud sponsors of these efforts.
mercy project - faces of freedom
One hundred and thirty-two formerly trafficked children have been rescued and returned home as a result of Mercy Project’s sustainable and holistic approach to ending child slavery in Ghana. TDI-Brooks has a local presence with Ghana offshore work and are happy to support these fundraising efforts to rescue, educate and help to provide a more sustainable method of income (aquaculture) that does not require the labor of children.
Sanibel Sea School
TDI-Brooks was proud to provide a donation to the Sanibel Sea Shcool who assisted the Green Turtle Cay in the Bahammas following the devestation of Hurricane Dorian. Hurricane Dorian caused extensive damage in the Bahamas. The Sanibel Sea School partnered with the clothing brand Mang to support the island community of Green Turtle Cay and were able to purchase the supplies needed to begin the rebuilding process. .
San Fernando Christian Community - Phillipines
TDI-Brooks is proud to support the efforts of the San Fernando Christian Community with the supply of two 40-ft Sea Container Vans. These metal buildings will be placed on cleared land used to build the new “Champions Worship and Community Center” . The goal of group is to serve up to 1,500 local residents by Christmas Day 2019. Below you will find a video clip covering these efforts.
South brazos fire department
The South Brazos County FD is an all volunteer organization that serves approximately 110 square miles. Fire department personnel are responsible for responding to medical calls, vehicle accidents, and fire calls as well as other types of emergency and non emergency situations in Brazos County south of College Station from the Brazos River to Carter Creek and the Navasota River.
special olympics
Texas A&M Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University has a long and productive history, where the first aeronautical courses were introduced in 1928 to prepare students for careers in modern aviation. This was the beginning of what became the Aeronautical Engineering department, which was established in 1940.
Texas A&M Health science center
We’re creating the next generation of innovators, advocates, caregivers and life-savers. Founded in 1999 to bring together the health professions of Texas A&M, our relatively young, nimble attitude allows us to keep up with a rapidly evolving health care landscape, while not abandoning our land-grant origins. Through cutting-edge medical research, service and education, we’re addressing the health care needs of the 21st century.
texas a&m tiger robotics
AMCHS Tiger Robotics is the robotics club at A&M Consolidated High School. Affectionately known as “robo”, we’re an after school student-led club that’s been competing in the BEST Robotics Competition for over 20 years since our founding in 1996. The primary mission is to introduce students to design, engineering, and marketing, with a focus on product-to-market conversion
The Salvation Army
Donations to The Salvation Army allows the organization to continue to “Do the Most Good” within our community. Impactful personalized giving allows serving those who walk in looking for assistance with food, rent, utility, clothing and so much more. TDI-Brooks are a proud sponsor to support our community.
“He who is generous will be blessed…” Proverbs 22.9a
twin city mission
Serving the seven counties of the Brazos Valley: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson & Washington, TDI-Brooks is happy to support the fundraising efforts of this Mission. The Twin City Mission meets the needs of the homeless by providing shelter for children from abuse and neglect.
UP - Unlimited Potential
TDI-Brooks are happy to donate to the efforts of the UP organization who works with young adults ages 18-25 who have aged out of the foster care system. More info on how to help here: https://www.upbrazosvalley.org/program-resources
Clients & partnerships
Federal Clients
- Geoscience Australia (Australia)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Office of Naval Research (ONR)
- Oil and Natural Gas Commission (India)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC)
- U.S. Mineral Management Service (MMS)
- U.S. National Institute of Health
Private Clients - Other
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Private Clients - Oil Companies
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State Clients
- California Fish & Game
- Delaware River Basin Authority
- Orange County, California
- Rutgers University
- Texas A&M Research Foundation
- Texas A&M University
- University of Mississippi
- University of Utah, EGI
Operating Regions and partnerships
Countries Worked
| Angola Argentina Australia Bahamas Belize Brazil Cameroon Canada Chile China Congo CubaEast Timor Equitorial Guinea French Guiana Gabon Ghana Grenada Guyana Honduras Indonesia India Israel Ivory Coast |
Jamaica Japan Lebanon Madagascar Mauritania Malaysia Mexico Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nicaragua Nigeria Panama Papua New Guinea Saudi Arabia Senegal South Africa Suriname Tanzania The Gambia Trinidad & Tobago USA Venezuela |
Partnerships
TDI-Brooks maintains a multitude of partnerships across the globe to provide expert turnkey solutions to our clients.
In conjunction with our offshore geotechnical programs, TDI-Brooks offers a comprehensive suite of high-quality analytical services and scientific interpretation with a focus on petroleum geochemistry, surface geochemical exploration, oil spill response, environmental chemistry, and environmental assessments.
We have established a highly technical, state-of-the-art laboratory facility in College Station, Texas, staffed with competent and highly accomplished staff proficient in geochemical and environmental chemistry as well as in biological, geological and physical oceanography.
Our Staff
TDI-Brooks has a staff of nearly one-hundred individuals including Ph.D. level oceanographers, geochemists, biologists and geologists. Some of our senior staff continue to have academic appointments. About a third of the staff is part of our affiliated laboratory, B&B Labs. The other staff is involved in our offshore research and survey operations.
Professional Associates
- Dr. Jean Audibert, Sr. Geotechnical Engineer
- Dr. Neil Summer, Sr. Geologist, Shallow Water Projects Director
International Staff
Management and Administrative Staff
- Dr. James Brooks, President / Chief Executive Officer
- Dr. Bernie B. Bernard, Vice President/Chief Technology Officer
- Daniel Brooks, Geologist, CPT Specialist, Project Manager *
- Melissa Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing
- Richard Byno, Director of Marine Operations
- Dr. Les Bender, Director of Environmental Services *
- Jayme McBee, Director of Geochemical Services
- Brandt Broussard, Director of Geophysical Services
- Michael Kullman, GIS/Geophysical Survey Manager
- Jennifer Simonson, Director of Quality
- Dr. James Howell, HSE Manager*
- Jake Wiersig, HSE Facilities Manager
- Shannon Smith, Vessel Systems Manager/Assistant HSE Manager
- Thomas J. McDonald, Senior Project Manager
- Gary Wolff, Data Manager
- Gail Mills, Controller/Corporate Secretary
- Gina Harp, Assistant Controller
- Emily Evans, Administrative Assistant
- Brad Bernard, College Station Office Manager/Project Manager
*Field Staff As Well
Laboratory Staff
Geochemical / Environmental Laboratory
- Mike Gaskins, Geochemical / Environmental Laboratory Manager
- Juan Ramirez, Data Manager
- Donell Frank, Quality Assurance Manager
- Dr. Hillary Agbo, Geochemical/Environmental Laboratory Supervisor *
- Chase Brewster, Instrument Analyst *
- Yiwei Miao, Instrument Analyst
- Dr. Garrett Slaton, Instrumentation Engineer & Senior Chemist
- Amanda Brewster, Laboratory Account Client Manager
- Jake Wiersig, Laboratory Technician
- Cienna Kirkland Sample Custodian
- Douglas Johnson, Radiation Safety Officer
- Eduardo Nieto, Laboratory Technician
- Rosa Esquivel, Laboratory Technician
- Megan Konarik, Instrument Analyst
Geotechnical Laboratory
- Moslem Moradi, Advanced Technical Analyst
- Shelby Fox, Geotechnical Laboratory Sample Custodian
*Field Staff As Well
Field Staff
- Charlie Emerson, Port Engineer
- Roy Robbins, Port Captain / DPA / Vessel Captain
- Kevin Swart, Geoscientist/Survey Manager
- Mark Mitcheltree, Vessel Captain
- Scott Munro, Vessel Captain
- Channing Boswell, Vessel Captain
- Brion Dolan, Field Party Chief
- Peter Hitchcock, Field Party Chief
- Cameron Wythe, Field Party Chief
- James R. Brooks, Vessel Deck Chief
- Larry Lane, Vessel Deck Chief
- Kenneth Craigue, Hydrographic Surveyor
- Timothy Mattern, Coring/Marine Technician
- Joseph Stearns, Marine Technician
- Samuel Sweeney, Marine Technician
- Forest King, Coring Technician
- Blanton Beard, Technical Systems Manager
- Christian Urqueza de Leon, Laboratory Technician
- Kenneth Allen, Navigator
- Paul Clark, Navigator
- Megan Brooks, Field Logistics Coordinator
Marine Engineering
TDI-Brooks Main Campus
- Ivan Svrcek, Mechanical Engineer
- Joe Brandesky, Senior Engineer Specialist*
- Matthew Mattern, Senior Engineering Specialist*
- Adam Ariganello, Engineering Specialist*
*Field Staff As Well
TDI-Brooks Nacogdoches Campus
- Ronald “Ron” Boggess, Cone Services Manager
- Chris Duncan, Cone Services Supervisor
- Wayne Deacon, Cone Services Technician
- Trevin Dowdy, Mechanical Technician
- Sandra Farmer, Administrative Assistant
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Department
- Chris King, Director of Information Technology
- William Lewright, Programmer/IT Engineer & Support, Navigator*
- Daniel Vitale, System Analyst*
- Mike Kirk, Programmer/IT Engineer & Support, Navigator*
- Carl Perkins, Systems Administrator
*Field Staff As Well
Facilities
TDI-Brooks Main Campus
- Ron Yoakum, Facilities Manager
- Drew Gorney, Facilities
- Camerino Serrato, Facilities
- Juan Nieto, Facilities
Posters and Publications
TDI-Brooks believes in sharing our work and research with others in the community.
Non-Conference Posters
- Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Soil/Sediment and Tissue Samples by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Megan M. Konarik, M.S, Michael Gaskins, Dr. Bernie Bernard, Dr. James Brooks, PFAS Poster-WatersREV0
- Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Soil/Sediment and Tissue Samples by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Megan M. Konarik, M.S, Michael Gaskins, Dr. Bernie Bernard, Dr. James Brooks, PFAS Poster-SolidsREV2
Conference Posters
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Sciences (GoMOSES) Conference, 2019
- Characterization and source identification of gas bubbles observed at Mississippi Canyon Block 20 (MC20) in the Gulf of Mexico, Michael Gaskins, Dr. Bernie Bernard, Dr. James Brooks, J18324 NOAA MC20 GOMOSES Poster Rev0
AAPG Hedberg Conference, 2019
- Models of Natural Gas Origin – A Short History, Dr. Bernie Bernard, Bernard Hedberg Poster
Publications
We have a number of our scientific publications available on our publications page. These articles are an excellent source of information about geochemical, geotechnical, SGE, and heat flow studies, as well as other related topics.
We have available
Contact Us
TDI-Brooks International, Inc.
14391 S. Dowling RD
College Station, TX 77845
Email: info@tdi-bi.com
Phone: +1 (979) 693-3446
