Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: James A. McAuley
James A. McAuley

James A. McAuley

Distinguished Engineer

1987

Degree

Petroleum Engineering – 1953

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1987

Those who know James McAuley best, his employees and associates, have only high praise for his ability and integrity. By placing the interests of those who work for and with him first, and by setting and maintaining the highest standards of ethics and moral character for himself, he has earned their loyalty and respect. Recognized by his peers as a skilled negotiator, Mr. McAuley also possesses an endless sense of humor as well as the determination and natural leadership ability necessary in today’s business environment. Besides, they say, he is "lots of fun to be around."

Ever energetic, Mr. McAuley has demonstrated a talent for putting together almost any kind of enterprise related to the petroleum industry, the latest of which is Energy Operating Corporation (ENOPCO), a drilling company he founded in 1977.

A native of Andrews, Texas, Mr. McAuley attended Texas Tech on a basketball scholarship and was graduated in 1953 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Before establishing his first business in 1960, he was employed with Sun Oil Company, Nortex Oil and Gas Corporation, and Ryan Consolidated Petroleum Corporation, and also spent two years in the Army. His first independent enterprise was a petroleum consulting partnership with Mr. Harvey M. Gandy. When the firm merged with the Greyhound Corporation in 1968, Mr. McAuley began developing his talent for managing oil properties. In 1971, he became president of Halliburton Resource Management, where he initiated the company’s involvement in oil field service rentals. Then, in 1975 he became Vice President of Operations for Trans–Texas Energy, Inc. Two years later, he founded ENOPCO, while continuing to work for Trans–Texas until 1984. He is also President of Milmac, Inc., an operating company which evaluates, negotiates, purchases, and operates oil and gas ventures. He serves on the boards of directors for Texaust, Inc., a sucker rod and packing tube concern, and of Tipperary Corporation of Midland, Texas.

Mr. McAuley’s recent design of a density meter for a computerized electronic drilling monitor and mudlogging system has greatly improved the monitoring of on–site drilling functions. He holds several patents for this achievement.

A strong supporter of Texas Tech, Mr. McAuley is a member of the Texas Tech Ex–Students Association and the Red Raider Club, and has served as president of both organizations. He is also active professionally in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Petroleum Institute, and a number of other business and professional organizations.

Mr. McAuley is married to the former Joanne Guest. Their son, Jay, attended and played football for the university and was graduated in May 1986 with a degree in petroleum engineering. Jay’s wife, the former Jennifer St. Germain, is also a 1986 Tech graduate in Advertising and English.

James McAuley truly exemplifies the kind of individual whom Texas Tech likes to call a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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