Five Year Service Anniversary

April 2016 is the month Delmer (Dewey) Crace will celebrate his five year service anniversary with ABARTA Oil & Gas Co., Inc.  Dewey is a Laborer/Rig Hand on our drilling team in Kentucky.

Congratulations, Dewey, and thank you for five years of service.

One Decade of Service

Two AOG employees in Kentucky celebrated 10 years of service in February.  

Kenny Cantrell (left) is a Roustabout and Equipment Operator in our Kentucky field office, but he has also worked as a well tender, welder and pipeline crew chief.  

Terry Sloas (right) was hired as a rig operator in 2006, but he now works as a well tender. 

Congratulations Kenny and Terry, and thank you for ten years of service!

Tom Bartos, Chief Financial Officer, celebrated 20 years with ABARTA. The first person hired by Jim Taylor, Tom has been a consistent contributor over the years with his financial acumen and energy marketing talent. 

Debbie Rubel, Executive Assistant, has been Jim Taylor's right hand (and often his left) for 15 years!  Debbie is the person everyone relies on to get things done, both well and with a smile on her face.  We'd all be lost without her.  

Denise Bombalski, Staff Accountant, celebrated 20 years with ABARTA.  Denise has worked for several divisions of ABARTA - RPI, SFS and AOG - and we are glad she decided to make AOG her home.  


Congratulations Tom, Debbie and Denise on your years of service.  

SHANE HUFFMAN PROMOTED TO EXPLORATION MANAGER

After three years working as a Geologist on the team of three, Shane Huffman has been promoted to the newly-created position of Exploration Manager.  Shane will work with Kathy Flaherty and Junior Jenkins to lead our geologic team in their efforts to find new conventional and unconventional oil and gas prospects.  Shane has shown his strength in leadership by identifying and leading the effort to acquire and develop our Franklin Township opportunity.

Shane received his Masters of Science Degree in Geology from WVU.  He and his wife Kelly live with their four children in Saxonburg, PA.

FIVE AND THIRTY YEAR ANNIVERSARIES CELEBRATED

It seems like only yesterday we were cutting cake in the Chieftain Room at 1000 Gamma Drive and celebrating Jim Taylor’s 25^th anniversary with ABARTA.  Well, another five years have passed, and Jim celebrates his 30^th year anniversary with ABARTA.  We all join in offering Jim, our President and CEO, our congratulations and thanks for spending the past 30 years of his life dedicated to ABARTA and its success.




Wayne Boggs, Kentucky Equipment Operator, celebrates his five year anniversary with ABARTA Oil & Gas.

Congratulations and thanks for your years of service.

ROB PATTERSON EARNS MBA

Rob Patterson, Pittsburgh’s Property Accountant, has much to celebrate.  After taking night and weekend classes for two years, he was awarded his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Robert Morris University.  Rob earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Accounting from Bethany College.

Rob was able to take advantage of the company’s Tuition Reimbursement policy to offset his costs by $5,000 each year.  He is thankful to be done and hasn’t yet figured out what to do with all his free time.  Congratulations, Rob!

AND BABY MAKES TWO

Allie Ryan Rice

This darling little baby girl came into the world on Friday, May 1^st  to meet parents Devin Rice, Kentucky Relief Driller/Truck Driver, his wife Hayley and brother, Daniel.  Allie Ryan Rice weighed 9 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20-1/2 inches long.  Congratulations!

Five, Ten and Fifteen Year Anniversaries Celebrated in Pittsburgh

Lynn Biery joined the ABARTA family 10 years ago.  Prior to her arrival here,  her head was in the sewer. Well, not really. She ran the Deer Creek Drainage Authority. In fact, she recently joined the Board of Directors of the Sewer Authority.

Lynn is the Land Supervisor at AOG, and her specialty is organization. She creates all of our internal division of interests (DOI's) and verifies all external DOI's. She also serves as a resource for all the other departments seeking lease, right-of-way and joint venture information. If you walk by her office you might see her helping out someone from accounting, operations or other land department folks.

Outside the office, much of Lynn's time is devoted to rowing. She is a board member of the Steel City Rowing Club and rows competitively in both doubles and quads. She's seen the Allegheny River up closer than most of us. 

Lynn lives in Indiana Township with her husband Brad and their daughter Elyn, who will be a freshman at IUP this fall and is coxswain for the rowing club.

Congratulations to Chuck Huczko for 15 years of dedication and hard work at ABARTA Oil & Gas and ABARTA, Inc.!  Chuck started his career at ABARTA in 2000 as an internal auditor, transferred to AOG as Accounting Manager in 2002 and was promoted to Controller in 2008.  During his tenure at AOG, Chuck has enthusiastically embraced the difficult task of dealing with the various auditors that come through our office.  He is an excellent researcher of new technical accounting issues and  is a task master of monthly, quarterly and annual financials.  He is the “go to” person when it comes to insurance issues and is always willing to pitch in where needed.

Chuck and his wife, DeeDee, live in Greensburg, PA with their two children, Julia and Nate.

Cliff Simmons, Director of Operations, celebrates 5 years with ABARTA Oil & Gas.   Cliff manages conventional field operations for ABARTA Energy.  He is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of ABARTA's approximately 660 wells and 26 men in PA, WV and KY.  Cliff reports to John Emmerling, ABARTA Energy’s Vice President/COO, who is grateful for the tireless hours and hundreds of miles he dedicates to keeping our employee’s Eyes and Mind On Task!

Cliff lives in Kittanning, PA 33 miles north of the Pittsburgh office with his wife, Marisa.  Congratulations Cliff!

Five Year Anniversaries

Jamie West celebrated his five year anniversary with ABARTA Energy in December. Jamie began his career with us in 2009 as a rig hand for the swab, drilling and service rig in Kentucky.  He then advanced to well tender in 2011 and is responsible for tending 63 wells. He is actively studying to become a corrosion technician and enjoys working with Diana and the men in Kentucky.

Our own little Miss Sunshine celebrates five years with ABARTA Energy this month. Sandy Doyle, Pittsburgh Secretary/Receptionist, is like a breath of fresh air each morning.  Her ever cheerful disposition and bright smile make everyone's day better.

Since moving to 200 Alpha Drive in June 2013, Sandy has assumed increasing responsibilities to keep the building and ABARTA Energy operating smoothly.  Whether the heat is off, the doors won’t lock or someone smells natural gas, Sandy handles each situation with aplomb, tact and a smile.  It’s a pleasure to work with Sandy every day.

Meet Howie Hanlon

Howard ("Howie") John Hanlon arrived on Wedneday, November 5, 2014 and joined big sister, Charlie.  Proud parents Katie Hanlon (West Virginia Administrative Assistant) and husband Eric along with grandparents Charlie (ABARTA Vice President & CFO) and Christy Hanlon welcomed him to the world at 1:09 p.m.  He                                                                              weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long.

Terri Moore Celebrates 15 Years

Terri Moore, Pittsburgh’s Senior Operations Analyst, celebrates 15 years with ABARTA Energy this month.  Terri’s supervisor, Ken Fleeman, says that "Terri has progressed from a clerical position to fill one of the most demanding and versatile roles at ABARTA Energy. As Senior Operations Analyst she has responsibilities ranging from production accounting to IT management. She participates in planning, budgeting and bill paying for all our operating processes such as drilling, completion, facility construction and production. Terri also manages our reserve database. She prepares and submits the majority of our regulatory reports. Terri is also the "go to" person when it comes to solving issues when processes change or when wells are bought and sold. I am                                                                  proud to work with Terri on the Engineering Team."

Meet Our New Director of Unconventional Operations

Jim Watson was hired in March to be our Director of Unconventional Operations, reporting to John Emmerling, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Jim’s responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of the company’s unconventional shale oil and natural gas development.

We will draw on Jim’s 22 years of experience, including 17 years in the Appalachian Basin, to meet our goal of becoming an HDC (horizontal drilling completion) operator.  Prior to joining ABARTA Energy, Jim was employed by Gulfport Energy Corporation as Operations Manager where he managed eight rigs drilling horizontal shale wells in the Utica formation.  Jim’s team at Gulfport drilled the longest lateral to date in the entire northeastern United States.  Jim has also served in executive positions responsible for drilling and completing unconventional wells with Inflection Energy, Mountaineer Keystone, Rex Energy and Range Resources.

Jim has the distinction of having been the leader of the development team at Range Resources that drilled and completed the first horizontal wells ever drilled in the Marcellus Shale.  He also has a service company background with Superior Well Service (now Nabors Completion Services) and The Western Company of North America. Jim served in the United States Air Force for seven years before entering the oil and natural gas industry.

Jim is a graduate of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and a minor in Environmental Science.  He was born in Wilkinsburg, PA and currently lives in Canonsburg, PA with his wife, Jennifer and their daughter Olivia Grace.  When Jim isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the beach, hunting and studying Tang Soo Do Karate.

Gas Plant Celebrates 5 and 10 Year Anniversaries

Josh Ferguson

JOSH FERGUSON, Kentucky Plant Supervisor, celebrated ten years with ABARTA Oil & Gas on December 1, 2013.  Josh was promoted to his current position in 2010 following the retirement of Allan Ison.  Director of Operations, Cliff Simmons, says that Josh's "understanding of the plant operation and dedication to its performance has been a great asset.  What is most impressive about Josh is the loyalty and dedication his employees show for him."

Dave Sagraves

DAVE SAGRAVES, Gas Plant Operator, also celebrated ten years on December 1, 2013.  Dave has worked as an equipment operator, roustabout and plant relief operator.  Plant Supervisor Josh Ferguson states that Dave "is a great motivator to his coworkers and often leads by example. There is no job too big or to small that he won't complete. Anything I ask him to do, he always gives 110% from beginning to end. I'm fortunate to have him as a part of my crew at the plant."

Seth Grim

JOSH "SETH" GRIM, is also a Gas Plant Operator, and he celebrates five years with ABARTA Oil & Gas.  Seth started as a relief operator and has risen to the position of plant operator in his short time with us.  Supervisor Josh Ferguson tells us that Seth "is also a great asset to the plant."  He is "a quick thinker, and he can often come up with solutions to any troubles we may face. He is very dependable and reliable, always there any time I need him, even if outside his regular shift hours."  He is "always cheerful, and his positive attitude helps keep workplace morale on the rise."

Fifteen Year Anniversaries

Seven ABARTA Oil & Gas employees celebrated their 15 year anniversary on November 1st.  In alphabetical order, they are:

FREDDIE COLLIER, Gas Plant Operator.

MIKE MATHENY, West Virginia Operations Manager.

RANDALL MAXIE, Kentucky Roustabout/Equipment Operator.  Looking back on the last 15 years with AOG, Randall says "it has been an amazing learning experience, and I'm sure the next 15 years will be just as amazing."

GREG MAXIE, Kentucky Field Supervisor.

DEWAYNE MINER, West Virginia Production Supervisor.

JAMIE PREECE, Kentucky field office Operations Manager.  Fifteen years ago Jamie started working for AOG as a roustabout doing field and plant maintenance and never dreamed he'd one day be the Operations Manager.  He says it is "the most interesting industry anyone could ever work in" because of your exposure to "so many different aspects of the processes."

KEN FLEEMAN, Manger of Engineering.  Ken says his last 15 years have been an adventure.  He started as an Engineer Tech and has enjoyed an unexpected and unconventional path to management.

10th Anniversary - Junior Jenkins

Pittsburgh Geologist, Junior Jenkins, celebrated his 10th year with ABARTA Oil & Gas on October 16th.  He also recently became a first-time grandfather, so he has much to be happy about.  Congratulations.

5 Year Anniversary - Brent Cook

Kentucky gas plant operator, Brent Cook, celebrates five years of service at ABARTA Oil & Gas on July 21, 2013. Congratulations, Brent!