We, the People of Octane

“Excellence…is not an act but a habit.” – American historian/philosopher Will Durant 

With a reputation built on hard work, accountability, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Ernie Rush serves as Director of Industrial Cleaning Services for Octane Environmental. Throughout his career, Ernie has established himself as a respected leader known for delivering results safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

For Ernie, the most rewarding part of the job is simple: completing the work and exceeding client expectations. His philosophy is that every project, regardless of size or complexity, deserves the same level of dedication and professionalism. Under his leadership, industrial sites that begin as challenging, heavily impacted locations are transformed into clean, organized, environmentally compliant facilities that clients can be proud of.

Ernie oversees highly trained crews specializing in industrial cleaning, environmental remediation, tank cleaning, vacuum truck services, site restoration, and equipment decontamination. His teams follow proven procedures and detailed project plans to ensure every job is completed safely, efficiently, and within the client’s required timeline.

A strong believer in accountability, Ernie views every project as a reflection of both his personal reputation and Octane’s commitment to excellence. “When our name is on a job, we take ownership of the outcome. We don’t just complete the work—we make sure it’s done right.” 

That dedication has earned the trust of numerous repeat clients throughout the oil and gas industry. Whether cleaning a production site, restoring a well pad, maintaining equipment, or supporting emergency response operations, Ernie ensures every customer receives the highest level of service. 

Raised in a small town in Ohio, Ernie developed the work ethic and discipline that continue to define his leadership today. Growing up in a household where responsibility, integrity, and accountability were daily expectations, he learned early that success comes from consistent effort and attention to detail. 

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Seven dogs, acres of property with kennels to maintain, travel 20-25 weekends a year (to dog shows), and a full-time day job supporting the finance function of Octane. Oh yes, and a family who are “all in” with raising, training, boarding, breeding and caring for dogs and horses! With a little singing and soccer on the side. This is Octane controller Mari Jones’ life, and she loves it.

“My passions are accounting and showing and breeding dogs!” was Mari’s answer when asked. She laughingly added: “I work so that I can afford to show my dogs.”

While her love for numbers and accounting grew during school and early employment experiences, Mari said her mom was preparing her from her time in utero to love dogs. “My mom was showing dogs when she was carrying me, and I grew up loving and caring for them.” 

Her mother Ann has been breeding dogs for nearly 65 years, so her passion also runs deep. The family’s kennel name is Bujo Kennels, which is a combination of a beloved bulldog and the first letters of Mari’s surname.

It’s a hobby that requires dedication and time, too. With her mother and “adopted sister” (dear friend) Erica, Mari can travel up to 25 weekends a year in either a 42-foot RV or a smaller van, depending on how near to home the dog shows take place. She grew up north of Houston in Conroe, Texas, where there is an active kennel club that hosts several dog shows each year. “There is a big dog show community in Houston,” Mari said. A lot of work goes into the care of the beautiful, well-behaved animals we see on televised dog shows.

Day-to-day, Mari is directly responsible for the health, exercise and medical care for four Doberman Pinschers, one Standard Schnauzer, and two Beagles. With her mom’s five dogs (two labrador retrievers, two beagles and one Pumi (a Hungarian herding dog)), their award-winning Bentley the Basset Hound (who travels full time with his professional handler), and Erica’s five Basset Hounds, one Doberman and one beagle, their close trio of dog handlers lovingly feeds, cleans, exercises and cares for 20 dogs! And that does not count the horses her mom boards at her neighboring property.

“All of our dogs, except the new puppies, are Champions or Grand Champions,” Mari said proudly. “Bentley is an American Kennel Club Platinum Grand Champion Basset Hound who has been the nation’s number-one basset hound the last three years.”

(Click the button below to read the rest of Mari's story.)