About Me​

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Moved from North Platte to Grand Island when I was 5.  Was fortunate to graduate a GI Islander in the spring of 1976.  After graduation, I moved to Billings, Montana to pursue my dream of flying.  While in Billings I married Nathan and Zach’s mom, Debbie Dixon, in 1979. 

In 1981 we moved to Denver, Colorado; a life of smelling like jet fuel, flying bodies, prisoners, and canceled checks in crappy airplanes while dodging starvation and hyperthermia was no longer appealing.  Plus, the company that I was working for filed for Bankruptcy and didn’t pay me for a month helped with the decision.

 

My first job in Denver was with Great Western Pipe and Supply.  I was pimping pipe, valves, and fittings to local packing plants, hospitals, and construction contractors.  My big break happened when I was hired by National Supply Company as a salesman in 1981.  I spent the first year in Casper, Wyoming; Watford City, North Dakota; and Roosevelt, Utah training and learning about the oilfield.  Spent the next 8 years selling National’s equipment to oil companies all over the Rockies.  

 

Nathan charged into the world in February of 1989 and a few months later I was told if I wanted a job, my paycheck would be in Houston.  We packed up the few things we had, including a cocker spaniel named Jack Daniels, and headed south to Houston.  My new position was Product Manager and I quickly got exposure to the Global Oil and Gas Industry. 

 

Zach took control of things with his arrival in December of 1992.  In 1995 I was promoted to my dream job, Area Manager of Western US, and we relocated back to the Rockies where we lived in Parker, Colorado.  Life was good!!  But the damn oil industry just won’t let you get too comfortable or stay in one place.  In 2000 I was promoted to a Division President position and yup, you guessed it…back to Houston. 

 

In my new position, I spent a lot of time traveling the globe and going to places this little “Islander” never thought possible.  In 2003 I spent 4 months at Harvard Business School going thru the Advanced Management Program preparing for my next career step.  In 2007 I was promoted and became a Corporate Officer of NOV (National Oilwell Varco).  In 2009 Debbie and I ended our marriage amicably and went our separate ways. 

 

In 2011 Bonnie and I married on the beach in St. Thomas and have been enjoying life ever since. 

 

In 2013 my contract with NOV was triggered when I was not named as the replacement for the existing CEO.  I ended up leaving the company that allowed me to be someone I never thought possible and to take care of the people that meant so much to me.  In May of 2013, after 32 years, I left NOV.

 

A few weeks after leaving NOV I realized that 53 was way too young to retire so I spent the next 7 years working with Apollo Management and Warburg Pincus (private equity companies) as a Senior Industry Advisor.  In that roll, I was Executive Chairman of two of their portfolio companies and CEO of a third.  In 2022 I decided enough was enough and formally retired from all boards and consulting positions.

 

Bonnie and I built a house on a few acres north of Houston where I golf, scream, swear, and repeat two or three times a week.  I have one muscle car (1970 SS Chevelle) and in the process of building a second (1971 SS Camaro).  

 

….and everyone lived happily ever after.  The End.  

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Spouse/Partner:  Bonnie (Brazee) Reese

Children: Nathan Reese, Zach Reese