The PODS Association was created to develop and support open data storage and interchange standards to meet the specific data management needs of pipeline companies. All functions of the Association operate under these three guiding principles:
Improve Interoperability
Improving the interoperability of the PODS Data Model to enable reliable exchange of information between multiple databases, applications, vendor software, and even between different operators, is fundamental to the PODS mission and objectives.
Member Knowledge Sharing
The value of the PODS user community is significant. Most of the issues faced by any one member are common across the industry. Fostering an environment where knowledge sharing of non-propriety information can be facilitated will enhance the value of the Association to its members, as well as further the advancement of data standards to the industry as a whole.
Growth
Growth encompasses the growth and development of the data standards offered to the industry, as as well as growth in membership and engagement of its members in Association endeavors.
PODS Board of Directors
The PODS Board of Directors consists of 12 elected members from PODS-member companies who govern the Association. The twelve Board members include nine (9) Operators (voting), and not more than three (3) Service Provider (non-voting). The PODS Board of Directors is comprised of pipeline industry professionals whose companies support the PODS Association and contribute their employee's time to Association activities. Operator Board members serve 2-year terms, and Service Provider Board members serve a maximum of two consecutive 1-year terms. Nominations for the Board are submitted annually to the PODS Secretary. The Board of Directors elects officers annually, these include President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The PODS Executive Director, Technical Committee, and other committees report to the Board of Directors.
PODS Executive Director
The PODS Executive Director is a full-time position reporting to the PODS Board of Directors. The Executive Director is the principal spokesperson for the Association, and the first point of contact for membership inquiries and general questions. The Executive Director provides leadership to the Association and the Board in the development, management, evaluation, and execution of programs and initiatives, and provides proper alignment of staff and financial resources to meet defined goals and objectives within budget. The Executive Director leads public relations and marketing activities, and ensures strong representation of the organization to the pipeline industry.
PODS Technical Committee (TC)
The PODS Technical Committee is responsible for ongoing maintenance and development of the PODS Data Model and its implementations. The PODS Technical Committee is comprised of pipeline industry professionals whose companies support the PODS Association and contribute their employee's time to Association activities. The TC currently includes 27 volunteer members, who are subdivided into four teams. The Technical Committee Steering Committee oversees the work of the teams, and is made up of the Chairperson from each team, the Board Liaison to the TC, and the Executive Director.
- Administration Team
The administrative team is responsible for writing and maintaining the PODS technical documentation and documentation used to support the operation of the Technical Committee; examples include but are not limited to:
- Documentation for the model
- Data Dictionary
- White papers
- Implementation Guide
- Technical Committee Operating Guidelines
- Data Modeling Team
The data modeling team is responsible for maintenance and development of the PODS Relational Pipeline Data Model, including making changes to the PowerDesigner file.
- ESRI Geodatabase Team
The PODS ESRI Geodatabase Team manages the PODS ESRI Spatial Implementation of the Data Model.
- Research & Development Team
The development team is responsible for testing new releases, and research and development of pipeline data standards; examples include but are not limited to:
- Working Groups
- API Specifications
Non-Profit Status
PODS is a not-for-profit, vendor-neutral, pipeline data standards association which began in 1998, was incorporated in 2000, and became a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization in 2004.
PODS Member Companies
PODS Member Companies support the work of the Association, and represent their opinions and priorities through voting in PODS elections, and through the volunteer participation of their employees on committees, working groups, forums, conferences, webinars, meetings, and by submitting comments on new releases.
Policies
PODS Association Bylaws
PODS Antitrust Compliance Guidelines
