LUBBOCK, Texas — For Russ Lloyd, a land services supervisor with NextEra Energy Transmission, success is measured in genuine relationships and trust.  

Reflecting on the success of the company’s latest Crossroads project, Lloyd thinks back to the start of his energy career. Originally from Midland, Texas, in the heart of the Permian Basin, Lloyd's NextEra Energy journey began more than 20 years ago, when the oil and gas company he worked for was supporting FPL Energy—the company that would later become NextEra Energy Resources.  

"I always loved working with NextEra Energy, and I wanted to work for the company," Lloyd says.  

That opportunity came in an unexpected way. While looking for a new position, Lloyd received a series of offers. He kept turning them down, because they were too far from home. Then, one Sunday, his pastor delivered a message that changed everything.  

"The pastor's message was to not ignore any open doors,” Lloyd recalls. “I told myself I would take the next opportunity, no matter what. I got a call the very next day offering me work in North Dakota, which was even further from home than the first two offers. It was for a contractor position to NextEra Energy Resources."  

After spending 2.5 years far away from home, supporting projects across North Dakota, Lloyd was offered a full-time position with NextEra Energy Resources. He accepted and has now spent nearly 10 years with the company, always with the unwavering commitment to put people first.   

"In some cases, you are dealing with fifth generation farmers. Their families have been working on the land since the late 1800s or early 1900s. Trust is the most important thing," he explains. 

Lloyd knows each project presents unique challenges. As the latest example, the Crossroads route traverses New Mexico’s Lea and Roosevelt counties. Since Lea County produces more oil than any other New Mexico county, it was incumbent on the team to differentiate this project from other opportunities in the region.   

"Everyone talks to one another, and we need to have a really good reputation," he notes.  

Over two years, Lloyd and his team worked with landowners across the region on Crossroads as well as several other projects in the Midwest region. Success ultimately came through meticulous preparation and genuine care.  

"This company lives by its values, and we keep our promises. That's a huge aspect of building trust. If you can't follow through, don't commit," says Lloyd.  

Lloyd views Crossroads as validation of his proven approach. 

"Each project is an Ebenezer. Have you ever hiked to the summit of a mountain and seen a stack of rocks? That's called an Ebenezer, a monument of people's success,” he shares. “To me, these projects—when they are complete—are an Ebenezer, demonstrating what we were able to accomplish together." 

For Lloyd, his role is about trust, patience and the genuine human connections that make America's energy infrastructure possible.  

"I think true success comes to fruition once the project is built. Everyone wins, because we came to a mutually beneficial solution," Lloyd concludes.