Our History
A HISTORY OF THE TRI-STATE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL LANDMEN
Charles M. Gadd was the author of the first part of this history running through 1970.
During the early days of September, 1939, in Evansville, Indiana, Charles F. Filson, John Parker, W. Brantley Jackson, and C.H. (Red) Fidler met and discussed Jackson's idea of forming a landman's organization. They talked for about an hour and agreed that Jackson would make plans for a meeting to be held on September 18, 1939, at the Lamplighter Restaurant on Second Street in Evansville, for the purpose of organizing company landmen.
The meeting was held with a "Jolly Hour," a meal and a discussion of the desirability of having an organized group. Jackson was the temporary leader. At the meeting it was unanimously decided that by having an organization of landmen, all would benefit-the landmen and their employers. It was agreed at this meeting that Jackson would be the first president of the organization and that arrangements were to be made to have meetings monthly at the Lamplighter Restaurant. Approximately twenty-four landmen attended this meeting. Thus, the first landmen's organization was formed.
Jackson was unable to get room at the Lamplighter Restaurant for regular meetings but did secure space at the McCurdy Hotel in Evansville where the rest of the meetings were held. Each person paid for his meals and drinks. No person or company was ever allowed to "pick up the tab." Dues were set at $5.00 per year. No formal programs were held. Charlie Gadd recalls that a number of well deals were made, and a considerable number of lease swaps came about during the meetings. The Tri-State Association temporarily stopped meetings in 1940 due to the following: lack of leadership; the war, which had everyone busy; discouragement by company management, which believed that their landmen might give away company secrets; or that this organization would be the start of a landman's union.
The Tri-State organization remained dormant until the summer of 1956 when a group met for the purpose of reorganizing the Tri-State Landmen's Association. At this meeting, it was agreed that they would reorganize and that the name would stay the same. John J. McGannon was elected temporary Chairman, and Charlie Gadd was tasked to draft a Constitution and By-Laws to be considered for adoption.
All Company Landmen were invited by letter to attend the reorganization meeting to be held on Monday, October 19, 1956, at 7:00 p.m. at Smitty's Steak and Seafood House in Evansville. The meeting was held as scheduled and about two dozen company landmen attended. E.J. Reading, Sun Oil Company, was the speaker, and his subject was "The Landsmen's Role in the Development of the Tri-State Area 1936 - 1956." Officers were elected at this meeting, and it was agreed that meetings would be held each December, February, April, June August, and October at such time and place as may be designated by the Executive Committee.
The Tri-State Association has met regularly since this meeting. Membership qualifications were soon changed to allow Independent Landmen to join as active members. The organization name was changed during the 1960-61 year to "Tri-State Association of Petroleum Landmen" to reflect the close association of many of the tri-state members with the AAPL. At that time, thought was given to making membership in the AAPL a requirement for membership in the tri-state organization-this was not adopted.
The present name was adopted during the 1969-70 year when it was believed that the organization would be more representative of energy landmen by dropping the word "Petroleum" and adding the word "Professional." James F. Gatewood of Matoon introduced the motion for this latest change.
Mark J. Hughes and the 2002-2003 Members of the Tri-State Professional Landmen wrote the following about the history of this group from 1970 to 2002.
The Tri-State Professional Landmen's organization saw many changes from 1970 through 1979. The membership during the 1973-75 era was composed of a larger portion of coal and hard minerals members mixed in with oil and gas brokers, independent landmen, oil scouts, and company men.
The early 80's saw a major increase in the membership numbers, which reached over 200. The average age of the members was between 30 and 35. Many of the members were performing day work. The organization was highly motivated by the times and need. Many members were involved in a Mineral Land Management Program. In 1983-84, a specialty degree in Mineral Land Management was offered by the University of Evansville. Because of the decline of the industry and ensuing lack of undergraduate interest, the university stopped offering the program in 1986.
During the period from 1985 to 1998, the organization decreased in numbers to the point of being "mothballed" for 2 years (1998-99), despite the valiant efforts of a few "survivors" of the Illinois Basin "bouncing ball" of demand for landmen and their services. In early 2001, AAPL Regional Director Becky Weber, along with a core of seasoned landmen, some of whom had been slow to idle, activity wise, over the last few years, began the process of revamping and re-energizing the group with a focus on the present needs of the industries we serve to the future development and hopes of our profession's rejuvenation.
Elections were held in early 2001 and a core group, including our Directors, Jack Thompson, Gary Likins, Mark Hughes, Gene Howard, Charles Woods, Mike McKelvey, Becky Weber, Randy Wheeler, Jim Fehrenbacher, and several others revamped the By-Laws and began the planning of meeting dates in Grayville, Illinois (on the Indiana-Illinois border), over the period of the next year. We have been averaging 15-20 attendees at our meetings. Members successfully sponsored a seminar with the guest speaker Alan Morgan of Remora Energy, Houston, Texas who focused on utilization of the internet for finding lost heirs.
At the time of this writing the organization has 50 dues paying members.
Officers at this time are as follows: Gary Likins, President, Susan Barlow, VP, Mark J Hughes, Sec./Treas., Director: Becky Weber.
This organization plans further educational seminars which will focus on the members' needs, which will be announced this month. |
