Jerry James Wins Inaugural Oilfield Patriot Award

A solid man, a hard and tireless worker, a giving person, and an excellent leader. Those were just some of the words used to describe Jerry James, the inaugural recipient of the OOGA Oilfield Patriot Award, sponsored by Producers Service Corporation. James, surrounded by his wife, their children, and grandson, received the award during the 1st Oilfield Patriot Award Dinner at the Greenbriar Conference and Party Centre in Wooster, Ohio.

“I’ve never been so surprised and honored in my life”, James said after he received the award. “It is a very humbling experience to be recognized by your peers who have also worked so hard for the oil and gas industry”.

James started his oilfield career while still in college as a Roustabout for Gaspro, Inc. in Cambridge, Ohio. He went on to accept the same position with Tenneco Oil on an offshore rig in Louisiana. After a return to Gaspro, Inc., he became an Engineering Technician for Conoco, Inc. in Casper, Wyoming.

After graduating from Marietta College, Magna Cum Laude, James would serve as Engineer for Conoco in Corpus Christi, Texas. James finally returned home to become Petroleum Engineer for Templeton & Associates in Marietta. He would spend the next seven years at this position, leaving to form his current companies, James Engineering, Inc., where he serves as its President and Petroleum Engineer, and Artex Oil Company, where he serves as its President.

James has also been a vital member of OOGA. He currently presides as Chairman of the OOGEEP Board and serves on the OOGA Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Exploration Committee, the Real Estate Tax Valuation Committee, the Internal Affairs Committee, and the Political Action Committee.

James was also instrumental in negotiations for OOGA with the Ohio Department of Taxation. Recently, the Department was looking at a way to amend the ad valoreum system of taxation. Over an eight month period, James made numerous trips to Columbus to attend meetings with the Department on this subject. During these meetings, James was instrumental to the process by challenging the Department’s rationalization of a new form of taxation by using his extensive knowledge, expertise, and facts about our industry.

The Oilfield Patriot Award was established to recognize an individual in our industry who, by their actions and service, has made great efforts to protect, promote, and advance the common interest of the Ohio crude oil and natural gas producing industry.

Such a person is seen as a patriot for our industry and our country. A patriot is willing to set aside personal considerations to accomplish higher goals for the good of a group. A patriot sacrifices their time and effort for the good of their fellow citizens. Finally, a patriot is someone who goes the extra mile to defend freedom while adhering to their principals of common sense.

The selection committee created to name the Inaugural Oilfield Patriot Award recipient agreed that one name stood out from the rest. “As a part of the selection committee, this was very easy for me,” said OOGA President Jeff Baker. OOGA Vice President James Smail commented that James has a flawless business and personal reputation in the industry. “When Jerry gives you his word or commits to a task, there is no doubt it will be completed.”

OOGA Executive Vice President Tom Stewart said that James, while having extensive oilfield knowledge, has a unique ability to relate this knowledge to the average industry person. “It’s not just numbers for Jerry James. It’s about the people and their livelihood and the well-being of the industry. That is what is great about him”.

OOGA would like to again congratulate Jerry James on winning the Inaugural Oilfield Patriot Award, sponsored by Producers Service Corporation. OOGA would also like to thank Producers Service Corporation for their sponsorship and long term commitment to the success of this award.