American Oil and Gas Reporter - October 2019 - 62

Giving, Service Define Henrys' Legacy
in 2008, they immediately gave major
contributions of $250,000-$500,000 to 25
local organizations. Those financial gifts
MIDLAND, TX.-In industry circles,
totaled $10 million," she says. "The FounJim Henry is synonymous with Permian
dation now has given $20 million, so the
Basin oil and gas development. Among
Henrys easily have given more than $30
residents of the Midland-Odessa area,
million back to the community."
however, the Henry name is revered more
The couple's philanthropic contribufor the good works that Jim and his wife,
tions primarily focus on human and
Paula, have performed on behalf of
social services, public health, public
local causes and charities.
education and community works, she
Henry Petroleum put Permian uncontinues, adding that the Henrys
conventional reservoirs on the map
are equally generous with their time
in 2003, but Jim had owned and opand energy.
erated a successful Spraberry drilling
company for decades prior to that. In
"They believe in leading by exfact, Henry himself was elected to
ample and carry it out every day.
the Society of Petroleum Engineers'
They have served as volunteers for
Permian Basin Hall of Fame two full
numerous community activities and
years before his company had even
on the boards of many nonprofits,"
begun experimenting with slickwater
Cordes-Pitts relates. "Jim and Paula
fracturing of Midland Basin tight oil
have lived in Midland for 60 years
formations.
and genuinely want everyone in the
And as his company grew and
Permian Basin to have opportunities
prospered, Henry was able to turn
to improve the quality of their lives,
over much of the day-to-day operajust as they were able to do."
tions to his brother-in-law, Dennis
According to Cordes-Pitts, the
Johnson, then president of the comlong list of organizations the couple
pany, in order to devote more time to
supports both with patronage and
his other passions: philanthropy and
volunteer service include the United
In addition to their tireless volunteer service to
many community organizations, Jim and Paula
community service.
Way, Need to Read (Permian Basin
Henry
have
given
more
than
$30
million
in
charitable
"Jim was always active in nonprofit
Adult Literacy Center), Boy Scouts
donations during the past decade, mostly in support
and community organizations, but
and Girl Scouts, First United
of local human services, health, education and
public works projects.
after he turned over the business opMethodist Church, the Midland Meerations to his brother-in-law, he was
morial Foundation, Midland Comable to focus on charitable giving
munity Theatre, the Bush Tennis Cenand service," relates Lael Cordes-Pitts,
ter, the George & Laura Bush Library,
the region is not measured in barrels of
executive director of The Henry FoundaChildren's Service League and multiple
oil, but in how Jim and Paula have levertion. "During that time, Jim's nonprofit
area schools, hospitals and community
aged those barrels to the benefit of all.
extracurriculars included serving on the
projects.
Financial Giving
boards of the United Way of Midland,
"Education is a priority. For example,
In 2006, the Henrys began investing
YMCA of Midland, Memorial Christian
the Henrys are major contributors to the
their earnings from Henry Resources to
Church of Midland, Casa de Amigos,
Center for Energy & Economic Diversiestablish The Henry Foundation for the
Midland College Foundation and many
fication at the University of Texas of the
purpose of "improving the quality of life
others," she says, adding that Paula is
Permian Basin in Odessa, and the Innoequally active in these and other organifor citizens of Midland through giving,"
vation & Engineering Center at Midland
zations.
Cordes-Pitts explains. Its foremost stated
College," she notes. "They are longtime
Also during those years, Henry served
core value is to "share Christian charity
supporters of the Midland school district
in leadership positions for industry or(with excellence); in other words, to 'live
and teachers, and now the new IDEA
ganizations such as SPE, the Permian
it,' focusing on problem-solving and selfcharter schools in Midland and Odessa.
Basin Petroleum Association, Petroleum
help for others."
They also personally have helped a number
Club of Midland, Texas Independent ProBoth personally and through the founof young people with college education
ducers & Royalty Owners Association,
dation, the couple has financially supported
funding."
and the Independent Petroleum Association
nearly 1,000 charitable organizations, acVolunteer Service
of America. In addition, he founded the
cording to Cordes-Pitts. "As an illustration
Forum for Exploration, Production and
of their generosity, when the Henrys sold
At the age of 85, Henry remains proAcquisition and Applied Petroleum TechHenry Petroleum (to Concho Resources)
fessionally active as chairman of Henry
By Tim Beims

62 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER

nology Academy, nonprofits dedicated to
facilitating information exchange and
technology transfer.
To be sure, Henry is among the most
successful oilmen of his generation and
an unrelenting advocate of the Permian
industry. But for Cordes-Pitts and countless
others in West Texas, his contribution to
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