Pioneering His Way

ARCO alumnus Mark Murray had made the move from Dallas-based DeGolyer & MacNaughton (D&M) to another company in the metroplex — Pioneer. Pictured left to right is Ray Wydrinkski (Advisor, Geoscience), Mark Murray (Sr. Staff Eng., Reservoir), MeriLynn Gobran (Sr. Staff Eng., Reservoir), Perry Richmond (Manager, Business Development),  Chad Gray (Staff Eng., Reservoir) and James Meier (VP, Corporate Facilities).

Mark Murray was not looking for another opportunity, but he shares that it never hurts to keep your eyes and ears open.

When he was contacted by Pioneer to interview for a position and was then offered a job, it wasn’t an easy choice to leave D&M, Mark explains. Several former ARCO colleagues supported Mark and gave him advice during the decision-making process.

Ultimately, Mark says Pioneer’s offer was something he felt he couldn’t turn down.

“I talked to ARCO Alumni Perry Richmond and Bill Knight,” he says. “They both provided good feedback on how Pioneer conducts its business, on Pioneer’s management and about professional growth opportunities within Pioneer.”

It was not an ARCO alum who invited Mark in for the interview, but the manager he reported to when hired turned out to be Perry.

Talking with MeriLynn Gobran also played a part in Mark’s decision to come to Pioneer. And now, their offices are down the hall from each other.

“It seems like I am working with ARCO people no matter where I go,” Mark says. “Since I have been here, I’ve also run into Ray Wydrinski and Chad Gray.”

ARCO’s work ethic set the bar high for Mark. “One of the things that impressed me while at ARCO was the high level of technical competency of the employees,” he says. “This high technical level was what drew me to D&M and was one of the deciding factors to accepting a position with Pioneer.”

Mark is enthusiastic about his recent change. “As with any new job and company, I look forward to the new challenges that come with working with unconventional resources,” he says.

“[I also look forward to] getting to know the people at Pioneer.”