As many people do around this time, I have taken a step back to reflect on the year. In every way, 2007 was a successful year here at Oil & Gas Financial Journal. For me, the year was especially fruitful. March 2007 marked the beginning of my monthly column, Beyond the Well. Not only do I get to use my voice, but I am presented with the opportunity to meet a plethora of industry folks doing their part in bettering the communities around them.
While each individual executive or company highlighted throughout the year contributed in different ways and to different organizations, the goal is always the same - to offer aid to those in need. This year’s contributors have encouraged culture and the arts, aided in child education, provided mothers with safe and sober environments to reclaim their lives, fought for cheap energy for the poor, championed for cancer eradication, and provided services to those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
My first encounter with such a humanitarian was with Roger Plank, executive vice president and CFO of Houston-based Apache Corp. Plank’s father is the founder of Wyoming Ucross Foundation, where Roger now sits on the board of directors. Here, artists have the opportunity to pursue passions undeterred by outside influences. Plank also contributes to the 60-year-old Houston institution that is the Alley Theatre.
Plank and Apache have also supported Springboard, a program that finds contributors to donate money to build schools for girls in rural areas.
Closer to home, Devon Energy and El Paso Corp. have successfully implemented employee programs that assist those in their own communities.
Among other things, El Paso employees have participated in a project called “Food for Seniors.” The volunteers deliver groceries and spend time with the seniors at the end of the month, a time when funds are almost depleted for many of the center’s residents.
Devon has partnered with Mark Twain Elementary School in Oklahoma City. Employees provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to students in this high poverty, high crime area where many of the children speak English as a second language.
Supporting children’s education is also the goal of Laurie Cunnington, president of Ward Williston Oil Co. She is a member of JAM, an organization that feeds, houses, and educates over 400,000 children a day in various countries in Africa.
William Devine, president of Concessions International Inc. and CEO of Amrita Exploration Co. Inc. is also championing for those in rural areas. He founded Petroleum Foundation of America Inc. as a non-profit organization set to rehabilitate “orphan” wells. Proceeds would go directly to assisting the poor in their energy needs.
Assisting women in need was another cause addressed by this year’s contributors.
Sylvia Barnes, managing director of Merrill Lynch & Co. is vice chairman of the board of Santa Maria Hostel Inc. and chairman of the Santa Maria Foundation. Santa Maria is making a difference in the lives of women and children by providing housing and assistance while helping mothers get clean and sober.
Art Smith, then chairman and CEO of John S. Herold, and his wife Janis, are also involved in the effort to provide a better way of life for struggling women. He chairs the finance committee for Dress for Success’ Houston chapter, and is set to take over as chairman of the board in 2008. The organization promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Also helping the disadvantaged is the law firm of Adams and Reese LLP. The firm is working with national pro bono association Appleseed to advance public policy issues in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as a way to help rebuild lives in the Louisiana area.
Finally, the subject closest to my heart - cancer research and treatment. Ali Saberioon, president of Houston-based Sabco Oil and Gas Corp. and his wife Gita donated $10 million to Houston’s South Campus Research Initiative of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Scientists involved in the related center aim to individualize treatments, identify patients at high risk, and detect cancers at earlier stages.
Thank you to everyone who participated in my column this year, not for my sake, but for those whose lives you’ve touched with your generosity.
Mikaila Adams Associate Editor OGFJ
