Some friends mark the chapters of your life — and for me, Colby is one of those people. We met in September 2012, fresh off the plane and filled with wide-eyed wonder (and maybe a little bit of confusion) as we began our Saudi journey together. Over a decade later, we’re still catching up — this time over dinner in Riyadh, while he was in town on business.
Seeing Colby is always a joy. He now lives in Washington, D.C., working as a consultant in the energy sector, but his connection to Saudi Arabia remains strong. He’s been flying in and out of the Kingdom for years, and when we sat down for dinner, I took the opportunity to ask him about how he sees Saudi today — how it’s changed, and where it’s heading.
What followed was part conversation, part reflection, and part mini-masterclass on energy and transformation.
“You Can’t Appreciate the Pace of Change Unless You’ve Seen It Over Time.”
Colby’s take was clear: the pace at which things now move in Saudi Arabia is nothing short of remarkable. He reminded me how, back in the day, just getting an iqama (residency) or passing through customs could be an hours-long ordeal. Fast-forward to today, and Colby can apply for a business visa online and receive it in less than six hours. Customs in Dammam? A breeze.
But it wasn’t just the logistics that impressed him — it was the shift in work culture. “You can’t just drop in and expect people to meet you anymore,” he said with a laugh. “Everyone’s got packed schedules — careers, goals, and appointments. There’s a new level of structure and focus in the workplace that’s really taken off over the last few years.”
From Oil to Opportunity: Saudi’s Role in the Global Energy Transition
When I asked Colby about energy — his professional bread and butter — his eyes lit up. “Saudi Arabia isn’t just an oil country anymore,” he explained. “It’s a country with the lowest carbon intensity oil production in the world. And Aramco is actively working to make that even cleaner.”
He spoke about the Kingdom’s ambitions in green hydrogen, its massive renewable energy tenders, and how it’s leveraging both its geography and technology to lead in solar and wind power. “People don’t realize just how much sunlight and wind Saudi Arabia has — it’s not just ideal, it’s world-class.”
But he also reminded me that the energy transition isn’t about replacing oil overnight. “There’s a whole world of applications that renewables can’t cover yet. Saudi understands that balance — molecules and electrons — and it’s planning for both.”
The Misconceptions That Still Linger
We then shifted to a softer topic: what people still get wrong about Saudi Arabia. For Colby, it’s the assumption that the country is one-dimensional — a desert, a monarchy, a headline.
“They don’t know the diversity,” he said. “Culturally, geographically — there are mountains, beaches, vibrant cities. We used to go scuba diving all the time. No one associates Saudi with that, but the Red Sea is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen.”
He also touched on the deep-rooted kindness he continues to experience here. “Only in Saudi,” he said, “do you see two people get into a fender-bender and then shake hands.”
Why He Keeps Coming Back
In the end, I asked Colby what keeps him returning. Without missing a beat, he said: “Riyadh.”
“It’s always the highlight of my Gulf trips,” he said. “Every visit, there’s something new — a restaurant, a project, a vibe. It’s a city that doesn’t sit still.”
He wants to make time to revisit Jeddah and AlUla, places we both explored years ago, back when the changes were only just beginning. But Riyadh? It’s his pulse check. “If you want to know what’s next for Saudi, watch Riyadh.”Reflections
Catching up with Colby reminded me why I started this blog in the first place — to share stories of transformation, grounded in real experiences. Saudi Arabia isn’t just changing; it’s evolving with purpose. And voices like Colby’s — thoughtful, informed, and anchored in years of experience — help make sense of it all.
It was good to see you, Colby. Let’s not wait so long next time.
If you’d like to connect or continue the conversation, you can find Colby on LinkedIn here.
