THE INDEPENDENT
PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION OF A AMERICA
For Immediate
Release
11/12/04
Oil, Gas Industry's
Highest Award Goes to New Mexico Executive
George
Yates, a New Mexico-based oil and natural gas industry leader
and former chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association
of America (IPAA), was recently awarded "The 2004 Chief
Roughneck Award" -- one of the oil and natural gas industry's
highest honors.
Yates
is chairman, president and CEO of HEYCO Energy Group, Inc. of
Roswell, New Mexico with offices also in Dallas, Texas. HEYCO
Energy is the parent company of Harvey E. Yates Company (HEYCO);
HEYCO International, Inc.; and Rosetta Energy Partners, LP.
For more information on HEYCO Energy Group, visit
www.heycoenergy.com.
The Chief
Roughneck Award, originated and sponsored by Lone Star Steel
every year since 1955, recognizes the one individual whose
accomplishments and character best represent the highest
ideals of the oil and gas industry. The stature of the people
who have been named Chief Roughneck has made the award the
most meaningful in the industry. The award and the character
behind it symbolize the spirit, the determination, the
leadership and the integrity of those individuals who have
left their mark on the petroleum industry.
The Yates
family has been involved in oil and natural gas development
for three generations. George Yates' grandfather, Martin
Yates, Jr., along with his business partners, discovered the
first well in southeastern New Mexico in 1924. That well is
still producing today.
George
Yates grew up in Artesia, New Mexico, and graduated from New
Mexico Military Institute High School. He received his
Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of
Texas at Austin.
Yates
served as chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of
America from 1997-1999 and as vice chairman from 1996-1997.
He has served as president of the New Mexico Landmen's
Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of New
Mexico. He was founding chairman of the Washington,
D.C.-based Environmental Issues Council and the former
chairman of the Mountain States Legal Foundation in Denver.
George and
his wife Abby have two daughters, Lauren and Lindsey.
