Three oil titans bound for Wall of Fame

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 22:52

ALEX MCCUAIG

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City Halls Wall of Fame just grew by three members as the municipality recognized three giants of the oil and gas industry from Medicine Hat.

Keith MacPhail, chairman of Bonavista Energy, Randall Eresman, CEO of EnCana and John Jamieson, now deceased but former president of Standard Oil were all officially inducted during the Petroleum Show banquet Tuesday night.

Asked how this city has been able to produce so many to oil executives, MacPhail stated, I think the fact that Medicine Hat sits on top of one of the biggest gas deposits in the world has a lot to do with that.

He added the hardworking spirit of this citys residents combined with the richness of natural resources, spawned many people to go on to bigger things.

It could be said Eresmans ties to the city go beyond just the oil industry.

This city has a lot of different industries, as it has historically. And I worked for Olgilvy (flour mill), Goodyear, a stint a I-XL and I got exposed to all elements of business, said Eresman.

But they all tie back to one thing natural gas.

The EnCana executive admitted that compared to presenting at shareholders meetings, speaking during the Wall of Fame presentation was more nerve-wracking.

Its special because its here in your hometown, what is more important than that?

Accepting the recognition for Jamieson, his son, John told the audience, I wanted to show up for my dad because he always showed up for us.

Though it was the first time John Jamieson had visited the city, he spoke fondly of the memories his father recalled of the area.

Asked how he felt to have his father honoured by the city, 11-year-old Liam Jamieson-Conlin, great-grandson of John, interrupted with one word, pride.

Cutline: Mayor Norm Boucher, right, presents Randy Eresman, president and CEO of EnCana Corp. with a plaque that will be on display at City Hall on Medicine Hat's Wall of Fame. Former Hatter Keith MacPhail and the late John Jamieson were also inducted during Tuesday's Gas City Petroleum Show held at the Cypress Centre.