BS Petroleum Engineering 1932
Jack H. Abernathy Sr.* received a B.S. from the School of Petroleum Engineering in 1932. As chairman of the board of Big Chief Drilling Co. until his retirement in 1982, he provided strong leadership and was instrumental in building it into one of the largest, most respected drilling companies in the country. Abernathy’s business affiliations included serving as president of Seneca Oil Co., director and chairman of the executive committee for Entex Inc., and director and vice chairman for General Drilling and Producing Co. He served on the board of directors of the Southwestern Bank and Trust Co. and the Benham Engineering Group.
BS Aeronautical Engineering 1955
James A. Abrahamson earned his B.S. in aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1955 and later earned an M.S. in the same field from the University of Oklahoma in 1961. Abrahamson began his 33-year career in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. During his military service, he directed the development of several space crafts, a missile program and the F-16 International Fighter Program. He headed NASA’s Space Shuttle Program from 1981 to 1984. From 1984 until his retirement in 1988, he directed the Strategic Defense Initiative, the largest and most complex research and development effort ever undertaken in U.S. history.
BS Mechanical Engineering 1947
James R. Lesch* received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from OU in 1947. He began his business career with Hughes Tool Co. as field engineer in 1946, and held positions of increasing responsibility in sales, engineering and product management until 1962 when he was elected vice president - product planning and administrative services. He was elected to the board of directors of Hughes Tool Co. in 1964, and senior vice president and general manager of the Oil Tool Division in 1968. Hughes Tool Co. was sold in a public offering in December 1972, at which time Lesch was elected president and chief operating officer and director. In 1981, he obtained the additional title of chairman of the board until retiring in 1986, and remained as director until 1987.
BS Petroleum Engineering 1943
Alex H. Massad* retired from Mobil Corp. in 1986 after 40 years of service. At the time of his retirement, he was a director of Mobil Corp., director and executive vice president of Mobil Oil, and president of its worldwide exploration and production division. Born in Drumright, Massad received a B.S. in petroleum engineering from OU in 1943. During World War II, he served as an engineering officer on destroyer escort ships in the U.S. Navy. After joining Magnoli Petroleum Co. (a Mobil subsidiary) in 1946 as a rotary floorman on a Texas drilling crew, he subsequently worked in various field activities and held numerous engineering and managerial positions in Mobil operations throughout the Southwest.
Thomas H. McCasland Jr. is a Duncan native and independent oilman and banker with an outstanding record of service to the university, Duncan and the state. He is chairman and president of Mack Energy Co. and is past president and current chairman of Thomas Drilling Co., M&M Supply Co. and Enerwest Trading Co. He serves as chairman for the Security Corp. and Security National Bank and Trust of Duncan. He is a member of the board for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association of America and has served on the board of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
BS Mechanical Engineering 1951
Charles R. Perry received his B.S. in chemical engineering in 1951. As the founder, president and CEO of Perry Gas Companies, he made significant contributions to the natural gas industry. His five patents and numerous publications indicate his expertise in the area. In addition, prior to assuming his present position as chairman of Perry Management Inc., he served as president and CEO of the Perry Foundation Inc., and managing partner of Shamrock Co. and Perry Exploration. He is on the board of directors of the Texas Utilities Co., the Colorado River Municipal Water District and is chairman of the board of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
