A fan of motorcycles, adrenaline-filled sports and all things communication, Luis Galarza looks back on his journey from his early days in Ecuador to his current role in Los Toldos II Este, a challenge he says is pushing him to grow every day.

In Luis Galarza, Safety & Health Coordinator, two worlds come together. On one side is the industrial engineer who specializes in occupational health and safety and knows his way around protocols and audits. On the other is a creative spirit who produces podcasts, films his motorcycle adventures with all the flair of an influencer, and is always looking for new ways to share what he’s learned.

Now 35, and with experience under his belt both in the office and out in the field in different locations, he’s arrived in Neuquén ready to make the most of every opportunity and contribute alongside his team.

Where did your passion for motorcycles begin?

I’ve always been drawn to extreme sports. I’ve gone skydiving, scuba diving: it’s pretty common for those of us who work in safety. I was also a firefighter, and a lot of those emergencies left their mark. After finishing school, I got into enduro racing and bought my first motorcycle, and I even won a few trophies. But after a couple of fractures and accidents, I realized my limits and knew it was time to refocus on work. That’s when I switched to road biking.

And how did you get involved with communication?

I’m part of LADS, the Latin American Drilling Safety association, and that’s where the idea of creating safety podcasts came from, always representing Tecpetrol. I learned how to edit material by watching YouTube tutorials and set up a small studio, where we record episodes, including a TV show in Ecuador. That’s where I produce the videos of my motorcycle trips, which I love doing, especially the planning. Right now, I’m organizing a trip from Quito to Ushuaia.

What were the first steps you took in the company?

In 2011, I applied for an internship after seeing a posting at the Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial (UTE) in Ecuador, and I passed the tests. From day one, I felt it was a different kind of place, with a special atmosphere. After the internship they offered me a position, and here I am, more than 14 years later.

What were the challenges you faced when you started?

Without a doubt, my first field shift. I was 22, and the office sent me to Bermejo, where I didn’t know a single person. And because of a mix-up, they put me to stay with the contractors, sharing rooms. Going into 12-hour-long lockdowns was a shock, but my ability to adapt quickly helped me to stand out.

During the pandemic you also faced a huge challenge. What was that experience like?

One Sunday I got a call: ‘Everyone is leaving the building, and you’re going in with a doctor and someone else to put everything into safe mode.’ We spent 33 days inside, working until we were able to implement COVID protection measures for everyone. We wore suits, respirators, ate in our rooms… it honestly felt like a science-fiction movie. And throughout the whole pandemic, I never got infected. Nobody knew anything about the virus, and there were no vaccines, so we had to invent solutions as we went. We worked on different fronts, from well services and tower operations to facility construction, with one mission: prevent contagion and keep the business running. Everything we did was new. We innovated and put measures in place that we now know worked well. It was tough, operationally and administratively, but we learned a lot about health and safety.

Then came the rotation in Neuquén. What was that process like?

I’ve always believed that going abroad gives you a new perspective and valuable skills. I was about to take an assignment in another country, but it fell through because of the pandemic. That hit me hard, I found it both discouraging and motivating at the same time, because I knew the opportunity had been close. So when the chance to go to Neuquén came up, I didn’t think twice. I had only been there for courses before, but now I’m settled in, happy, and convinced it was the right decision.

What does Los Toldos II Este represent for Tecpetrol and for you?

This project is in the spotlight because of its scale and the level of investment. So when you’re in Los Toldos II Este, you’re in the spotlight too, which is exactly why it’s such a big challenge and an amazing opportunity. In a few years, I’ll be able to say, ‘I was there at the start when there was nothing there,’ and know every detail of how it was built. That kind of knowledge sets you apart and opens doors, both inside and outside Tecpetrol.

How has your experience with feedback been throughout your career?

I admire how people in Argentina separate work from the personal side. You can have a heated discussion in a meeting and then share a mate with them afterward with no problem, which doesn’t happen everywhere. I’ve had feedback moments that were a bit of a downer, but over time I understood that your career is cyclical: sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. What matters is staying humble when things are going well and staying strong when they aren’t, because you’ll always need the same people around you.

On a technical level, I’ve always received good feedback, but with clear areas to improve, such as how to communicate better, how to resolve conflicts without being so direct, how to integrate more easily into the team. At first, I wanted to shine on my own, which is pretty typical when you’re young.

How do you get along with artificial intelligence? Do you use it at work?

At first, I used it for very basic things, almost like Google. But now it’s turned into a real source of support: I use it to check regulations, prepare presentations and emails. It even helped me with cultural adaptation, adjusting tone and expressions that have different meanings in Ecuador and Argentina.

With your experience, do you feel there’s a shared essence at Tecpetrol beyond cultural differences?

Yes. The charisma and the way Tecpetrol makes you feel welcome is the same whether you’re in Colombia, Ecuador or Argentina. I’ve always found teammates who invite you to an asado or to play padel. That says a lot about a culture that really encourages integration, even for those who are a little more reserved.

And what opportunity for improvement do you see in Tecpetrol?

The onboarding part. In my case it was very short, almost symbolic, and I wasn’t completely clear on where I stood. I understand the costs, but strengthening that adaptation process, making it clearer and more structured, would really help people who are just joining the company.

What skills should young people today have to work at Tecpetrol?

The first thing is simplicity. When I started, I organized files, made copies… whatever was needed. Today some trainees think, ‘I’m already an engineer, I’m not doing that,’ when those tasks teach you order, discipline and attention to detail—things university doesn’t usually teach you. Then, they need to get with the program. Joining Tecpetrol is like moving from a lower division football team to Real Madrid or Barcelona: it’s a huge opportunity, and you have to take it seriously, even if you’re only here for a short time.

And finally, empathy. You need to understand that your boss or your team might be under pressure with multiple responsibilities, and if they ask you for something, it’s because they really need it. That’s the difference between someone who just goes through the motions and someone who truly stands out. Especially now, when Tecpetrol is investing in young people who are being trained internally through the company’s development programs.

At 35 years old and with so many experiences lived, what's next for the Luis of the future?

I’m in a less adventurous phase now. I’m excited about the motorcycle trip I’ve been planning and about continuing to learn professionally.

This December 2025, I’m setting off on a journey I’ve been dreaming about: riding my motorcycle from Quito to Ushuaia. I’ll do it in stages, first to Lima, then to Salta or Mendoza, then down to Neuquén, and finally to Ushuaia.

Spending so many hours riding alone, in direct contact with the landscape, gives you time to organize your thoughts. It’s like work: as, just when you think you’ve reached the final goal, you realize it’s only one part of the journey. There’s still the return trip, full of learning, adjustments and new perspectives. I also know that priorities change with time, so if today I have the chance and the time to do something, I’m going go for it. For me, the key is to make the most of the present—because later it might be too late