OFFICERS
OFFICERS
CHESTER B. BENGE, JR. PRESIDENT
Chester Benge was first employed by Big "6" in 1955
as a combination secretary/bookkeeper and
management trainee. He learned the business rapidly and within a
short time was made Secretary/Treasurer of Big "6". Mr. Benge worked for the company during the day and attended
night classes at the University of Houston, where he received a Bachelor
of Business Administration degree in 1959. He became Vice President in 1970
and President in 1979. Mr. Benge is a former Chairman of the University of Houston's Board of Regents.
He has participated extensively in civic and professional organizations. As a member
of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, he has served
as Secretary, Vice President, President and Chairman of its Executive
Committee. Mr. Benge is currently a member of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, American Association
of Petroleum Geologists, and the 25 Year Club of the Petroleum Industry. He is also an active member of
St. Lukes United Methodist Church.
Mike Stone grew up in the U.S. and around the international petroleum industry, in which
his father worked for over 40 years. Mr. Stone attended high school in London,
United Kingdom. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Miami and an MBA degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Upon graduation in 1976, he applied to several drilling contractors for work. Weldon Smith of Big "6"
could not understand why someone with an MBA wanted a job as a roughneck, but offered Stone a job
nevertheless. Mr. Stone worked for Big "6" and several other contractors for the next five
years as a roughneck, driller, and toolpusher in Texas and Louisiana.
Mr. Stone rejoined Big "6" in November 1981 as Assistant to the
President. He was appointed Vice President in 1989 with duties
including supervision of field personnel, as well as contract,
marketing, and other duties. Mr. Stone has two grown children. He is a member of First
Presbyterian Church. Professional affiliations include Houston Chapter-API, Houston Producers' Forum
(past President of both), the I.A.D.C., and American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE).
Jack Burnett began his career with Big "6" in 1981 as a Driller. In 1982, Mr. Burnett became
a Toolpusher, and in 1983 the Drilling Superintendent for Big "6'. Mr. Burnett has been working in the oil industry over the last 38
years. He began his career at 16 working summers for Brown and Root overseas in Kuwait, Dubai, U.A.E.
and Iran. In 1976, Mr. Burnett was Rig Superindentent for Arrowhead Drilling for three years
and then with Scan Drilling as a Toolpusher for over two years before joining Big "6". As Drilling Superintendent for Big "6", Mr. Burnett works closely with customers, vendors, and
rig personnel.
MICHAEL D. STONE, VICE PRESIDENT
JACK BURNETT, DRILLING SUPERINTENDENT