CHESTER BENGE, PRESIDENT

     The company had been running smoothly and profitably from 1949 until 1955, and Weldon Smith recognized a need to hire someone with the potential to eventually become president of the company.   He understood that, as current president, it was his responsibility to insure the company's future.  After personally  interviewing as least a dozen applicants, he selected 25-year old Chester B. Benge Jr.  Benge accepted the position and became a combination secretary/bookkeeper and management trainee.  He learned the business rapidly, Smith remembers, and within a short time was made secretary treasurer of BIG "6".

     Chester Benge worked for the company during the day and attended night classes at the University of Houston, where he received a bachelor of business administration degree in 1959.  Chester Benge is former chairman of the board of regents at his alma mater, and president of Big "6" Drilling Company.  He has participated extensively in civic and professional organizations.  As a member of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, he has served as secretary, vice president, president and chairman of the executive committee.  He is also a member of the St. Luke's United Methodist Church, the Petroleum Club, I.P.A.A. (Independent Petroleum Association of America), A.P.I. ( American Petroleum Institute), TIPRO (Texas Independent Petroleum and Royalty Owners), and Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.