During the 2022 GPA Midstream Convention, the association honored several individuals with the organization’s most prestigious awards. The awards were presented during the Center Stage Luncheon attended by 600 industry representatives.
Lifetime Achievement Award — recognizes individuals whose exceptional careers have greatly benefited the energy sector.
2022 Recipient: Harvey Hensley
Hensley is well known throughout the industry for his professional excellence and active participation in association leadership throughout his career. He began his career as a draftsman with an engineering firm before his “gift of gab” led him into sales with firms like S&B Engineers and Construction, and ENGlobal.
Hensley was the association’s first two-time president, leading the group from 1996-97 and again from 2010-11. He’s served on the board of directors for many years and has been a mainstay in GPSA Chapter activities in Houston and Tulsa.
“Harvey came along at a time when both associations, and this industry, were trying to find their ways,” said GPA Midstream Senior Vice President Johnny Dreyer. “His tireless and unrelenting efforts in association matters are the finest reflection of everything we want GPA Midstream and GPSA to known for and represent.”
Midstream Recognition Award — honors midstream professionals who have led by example through actions demonstrating integrity and spirit notably above the norm.
2022 Recipients
David Bardeen, Ariel Corporation — Bardeen is a 40-year energy industry veteran and is Ariel Corporation’s director of sales. During his 15 years as a GPSA board member, Bardeen has served on numerous committees, including Executive & Finance, Strategic Planning, Entertainment, Membership, and Program. He currently leads GPSA’s new Advocacy Committee, which helped form to meet the needs of members and association leadership.
“David stepping into the advocacy role is the perfect example of who he is and what he means to our association,” said GPA Midstream President & CEO Joel Moxley. “Advocacy wasn’t in his wheelhouse at the time, but he didn’t blink an eye to get involved, do his homework, surround himself with knowledge and experts, and get the wheels turning.”
Mark Ruff, Catalytic Combustion Corporation
Ruff spent the first dozen years after college working in the corporate world. In 1994, his entrepreneurial spirit led him back to his hometown of Bloomer, Wisc. and Catalytic Combustion, a business founded by his father and uncle but sold 30 years prior.
“Mark’s pensive, soft-spoken demeanor was a calming force for tumultuous times,” Dreyer said. “He always listened to concerns but remained positive throughout and took the silver-lining approach that a better tomorrow was coming.”
Citation for Service Award — recognizes individuals for extraordinary service on GPA Midstream committees.
2022 Recipients
Jerry Barnhill, DCP Midstream
Barnhill’s oil and gas experience spans more than 25 years. He brings deep expertise in pipeline services, environmental, health and safety programs, and reliability and operational services to his role as vice chair of GPA Midstream’s Advocacy Advisory Group. The tactical team guides committees with an advocacy focus, including Environmental, Legal, Legislative, and Pipeline Safety and Regulation.
Stephen Henderson, Flatrock Engineering and Environmental
Henderson brings 27 years of EHS, pipeline operations, and system control to his extensive involvement in GPA Midstream committee work, including the Safety and Environmental committees, and the Advocacy Advisory Group. Since 2014, he has been a session chair of the Safety and Reliability Forum at the GPA Midstream Convention and has served on the Program Committee.
James Meier, San Mateo Midstream
Meier has been deeply involved in GPA Midstream committee work throughout his 20-plus year career. He was part of the original Brazed Aluminum Heat Exchanger Work Group, and he’s served as vice chair of the Technical Committee. He was on the team that reviewed the first GPSA Engineering Data Book training course and was an integral part of formulating the association’s response to the drill and tap issue. He currently serves on the Technical Executive Committee.
Donald L. Katz Award — recognizes outstanding accomplishments in gas processing research and technology, as well as excellence in engineering education.
2022 Recipient: Prof. Wolfgang Wagner, University of Bochum
Wagner’s research, which includes work on equations of state and correlations for physical properties for pure fluid substances and mixtures, is foundational to the midstream industry. GPA Midstream research reports and technical publications have cited his scholarship more than 300 times since 2008, and he is author of 192 industry publications. Wagner developed high-precision laboratory instruments used on GPA Midstream projects, and his lectures inspired students by removing the fear of learning thermodynamics.
“These professional awards convey our gratitude for these deserving individuals, who gave unselfishly of their time, expertise and knowledge,” Moxley said. “Our group is blessed with so many wonderful volunteers, and we appreciate each of them. They’re truly the lifeblood of our association.”
Save the date: The 2023 GPA Midstream Convention will be Sept. 17-20 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio.
