WildFire Energy scales through five acquisitions with Insperity

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“Insperity has demonstrated the ability to scale with WildFire’s growth.”

Drew Cozby
Chief Financial Officer
WildFire Energy

HR stability for stronger growth

WildFire Energy launched in 2019 with 16 employees and ambitious growth plans. Backed by private equity firms Warburg Pincus and Kayne Anderson, the Texas-based upstream oil and gas company also faced a significant challenge.

“Payroll, payroll tax, employment issues and related HR compliance are not core competencies for WildFire,” said Drew Cozby, the company’s Chief Financial Officer. “We also have dual payrolls with corporate employees. There’s a certain complexity with that activity.”

Instead of building an internal HR team, leadership sought a partner that could deliver HR expertise through adaptable solutions. That search led to Insperity.

HR cost clarity sets Insperity apart

After evaluating multiple providers, Insperity stood out for its premium HR service, advanced technology and transparent pricing model. The enhanced visibility into HR spending resonated strongly with WildFire’s leadership and sponsors.

With each component of service broken down, leadership could budget confidently with HR cost clarity.

“On the pricing front, we were able to see the services that Insperity provided and compare that to other alternatives,” Cozby said. “Those initial reports enabled us to make that determination along with the board.”

This upfront approach further underscored Insperity’s value, simplifying the decision-making process. With its board’s full support, WildFire chose the Insperity® HR360 solution to assist with HR administration, compliance and technology, and give employees access to Fortune 500-level benefits.

A dedicated partner from day one

Through the Insperity HR360 solution, the company gained hands-on HR expertise and intuitive technology to help simplify and strengthen its people operations. WildFire optimized HR processes, such as I-9 verification and payroll processing, and received assistance with employee handbook development.

As growth accelerated, Christina Venditti joined WildFire as HR director and the company’s first full-time HR staff member. Insperity’s deep bench of HR professionals proved invaluable early on.

“Our ability to have a more employee-focused, strategic HR approach is directly tied to the additional bandwidth Insperity provides by supporting key HR administrative responsibilities,” Venditti said. “Having Insperity as a partner feels similar to having a staff of HR subject matter experts, right at my fingertips.”

“Our ability to have a more employee-focused, strategic HR approach is directly tied to the additional bandwidth Insperity provides.”

Venditti hadn’t worked with an HR provider before, but she said the bar has been raised. “Insperity has set a remarkably high standard. The time savings and confidence that come from partnering with them have been exceptional – a great experience.”

HR support for smooth acquisitions

Since its launch in 2019, WildFire’s expansion plans continue to gain momentum. The company has grown from 16 to 150 employees through five acquisitions – seamlessly integrating talent at every step.

Insperity helped WildFire deliver a smooth transition for employees joining the company. In turn, the positive experience eased uncertainty and reinforced trust.

“During these acquisitions – particularly the larger ones – it’s been helpful to have Insperity alongside us, sometimes even as ‘boots on the ground’ with us on location,” Venditti said.

“Insperity benefit professionals are able to answer some of the nuanced questions that can arise from midyear acquisitions, and their knowledge provides a seamless experience for those new employees.”

From understanding retirement options to navigating benefit packages and workplace policies, employees felt informed and supported, strengthening retention.

Despite its rapid expansion, WildFire has maintained a strong culture with exceptionally low turnover and no retirements to date. Leadership credits this achievement to doing things correctly, with Insperity’s help.

“We have the confidence that Insperity operates with the highest standards of compliance and timeliness,” Venditti said. “Their commitment to excellence and reliability creates an employee experience of assurance that reinforces a simple, but powerful message: ‘I am taken care of.’”

“Their commitment to excellence and reliability creates an employee experience that reinforces a powerful message: ‘I am taken care of.'”

A tech-powered people strategy

Furthermore, Insperity’s integrated HR technology platform has elevated the employee experience amid rapid growth. With a centralized system, staff can easily manage HR tasks, access learning and development resources and more.

“Employees have on-demand access to the Insperity Premier™ platform, which gives them greater autonomy over how and when they view or submit timesheets, search past paystubs, pull personal documents like W-2s and more – all from their computer or phone,” Venditti said.

“Insperity has developed an intuitive, user-friendly system that makes managing these day-to-day HR tasks incredibly easy for our employee base.”

The powerful HR technology, paired with top-notch service, has also helped WildFire improve processes for PTO tracking, managing separate payroll schedules for corporate and field employees, and administering bonus pay. 

“Being able to rely on Insperity’s payroll team to support our payroll schedules and quarterly bonus program has been invaluable,” Venditti said. “Their support has allowed me to work more efficiently by streamlining processes that would otherwise be extremely time-consuming.”

As WildFire’s workforce continues to grow, the HR tech platform’s in-depth analytics provide leaders with valuable insights into employment trends. Venditti uses the reporting function several times a week.

“I rely on Insperity for critical HR reporting needs, from monthly man-hour analyses for our environment, health and safety team to detailed headcount change metrics for our leadership review, as well as day-to-day needs like verifying date of hire or internal reporting structures,” she said.

“The salary data also plays a vital role in our budgeting and forecasting processes. Having a comprehensive, centralized database that consolidates all of this information is not only convenient but essential to making informed, strategic decisions for the business.”

Compliance and confidence, 24/7

Operating in the highly regulated oil and gas industry, WildFire faces unique HR challenges, from strict safety standards to complex employment laws. Whether it’s employee relations, workers’ comp coverage, certificates of insurance or safety services, Insperity has been a reliable guide in navigating HR regulations and mitigating risks.

“Our Insperity contact is knowledgeable on various employment issues,” Cozby said. “They also have the ability to bring in subject matter professionals if there’s a workers’ comp or HR compliance question.”

When WildFire reached 50 full-time employees, Insperity guided the company through the regulatory requirements of becoming an “applicable large employer” under the Affordable Care Act.

The partnership has been instrumental in empowering WildFire’s leadership to focus on safeguarding the business. As HR complexities arise, Cozby expressed the comfort that comes from having Insperity’s support.

“WildFire sleeps well at night knowing that our growing operations are supported in the ever-changing world of HR-related compliance,” he said.

“WildFire sleeps well at night knowing that our growing operations are supported in the ever-changing world of HR-related compliance.”

Built to last, backed by Insperity

WildFire has completed a major acquisition every year since its inception, a remarkable milestone. With a trusted HR advisor by its side, it’s positioned for sustained success.

“Insperity has demonstrated the ability to scale with WildFire’s growth,” Cozby said. “There haven’t been any issues with these acquisitions in the HR arena. That’s a compliment that goes both to WildFire and Insperity.”

Powered by Insperity’s HR service and technology, WildFire continues to scale confidently, caring for its people while driving expansion efforts.

As WildFire looks to the future, its partnership with Insperity remains a cornerstone of its strategy – empowering the company to adapt, expand and make a greater impact in the energy sector.