Billy Taylor and Ray Buchanan at the Texas Oilman's Gala, held at the Majestic Metro downtown on May 6.
Billy Taylor and Ray Buchanan at the Texas Oilman's Gala, held at the Majestic Metro downtown on May 6.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Priscilla and Jeff Murrmann at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Priscilla and Jeff Murrmann at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Rachel and Dr. James Suliburk at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Rachel and Dr. James Suliburk at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Aimee and Jay Flores at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Aimee and Jay Flores at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Seth Sadler, left, Brenda Alford and Pete Knight at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Seth Sadler, left, Brenda Alford and Pete Knight at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Auction items at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Auction items at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Stefanie Morganstern and Jeff Brown at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Stefanie Morganstern and Jeff Brown at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Kevin Treybig, left, Lauryn Kellas, Anwar Mamora and Rae Matheny at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Kevin Treybig, left, Lauryn Kellas, Anwar Mamora and Rae Matheny at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Ashley and Dan Henderson at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Ashley and Dan Henderson at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Shannon and Cory King at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Shannon and Cory King at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Fernanda and Mark Aswell at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Fernanda and Mark Aswell at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
The cake at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
The cake at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Dawn Phillips, left, Jenifer Porter and Janine Hurlburt at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Dawn Phillips, left, Jenifer Porter and Janine Hurlburt at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Nisah Tahara and Nolan Grice at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Nisah Tahara and Nolan Grice at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Birgit Kamps and Steve Scott at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Birgit Kamps and Steve Scott at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Shannon Kmiec, left, Candace Reichert, Sandy Maddox and Droxine Bruce at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Shannon Kmiec, left, Candace Reichert, Sandy Maddox and Droxine Bruce at the Texas Oilman's Gala.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — Just six weeks ago, the Texas Oilman’s Gala was sketchy concept.
Dan Henderson, founder and president of DrillingExchange.com, wanted to hold a festive party for a great cause during the Offshore Technology Conference. Then his friend Misti Jeter, who is the reigning Mrs. Texas USA, had the idea of a “Texas Oilman’s Gala.”
On Tuesday — the second day of OTC — some 300 oil and gas professional turned out for the first Texas Oilman’s Gala at the Majestic Metro in downtown Houston. The Western-themed event was a fund-raiser for Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief agency started in 1998.
Inside the theater, oilmen — and women — donned Western hats, boots and stylish accessories for the party, which featured music by the band Professor D., a silent auction of sports memorabilia and casino tables.
“Everyone is tired of walking around OTC all day,” Henderson said. “Let’s have a Scotch and raise some money for world hunger. The energy industry is a worldwide industry, so why can’t it be part of solving a world problem?”
Stop Hunger Now’s founder and president Ray Buchanan said the organization, which serves 65 countries, is opening a Houston branch.
“Every day 25,000 people die of hunger and hunger-related illness. Our goal is to end hunger in our lifetime. Dan said he wanted to help us get started in Houston. This event is the latest in that effort,” he said.
Also on FuelFix:
UK Energy reception celebrates business, networking
Scott Wallace and Tina Ming attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Scott Wallace and Tina Ming attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Robanna Ogden and Gavin-Jon Deeks attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Robanna Ogden and Gavin-Jon Deeks attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Dan Read and Michael Jacobs attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Dan Read and Michael Jacobs attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Andrew Leaver and Mark McCracken attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Andrew Leaver and Mark McCracken attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Doug McCullough, left, Shelley Smith and Eddy De Las Santos attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Doug McCullough, left, Shelley Smith and Eddy De Las Santos attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Paul Thomson, left, Deborah Bruce and Andrew Green attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Paul Thomson, left, Deborah Bruce and Andrew Green attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
John Watson, left, Claire Shaw and Richard Laing attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
John Watson, left, Claire Shaw and Richard Laing attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Liz Sidoti, left, Felipe Bayon and Emma Meade attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Liz Sidoti, left, Felipe Bayon and Emma Meade attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Brian McConnell, left, Colleen Handy and Martin Holbrook attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Brian McConnell, left, Colleen Handy and Martin Holbrook attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Nicola Sartini and Enrique Cornejo attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Nicola Sartini and Enrique Cornejo attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Bob Stout, left, Donna Ward, John Mingé and Julia Levy attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Bob Stout, left, Donna Ward, John Mingé and Julia Levy attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
BP America Chairman and President John Mingé attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
BP America Chairman and President John Mingé attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
UK energy minister Michael Fallon attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
UK energy minister Michael Fallon attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Reece Davenport and Nigel Benthall attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Reece Davenport and Nigel Benthall attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
William Lynn and Amanda Duhon attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
William Lynn and Amanda Duhon attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Kirsten Gray and Deisy Verdinez attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Kirsten Gray and Deisy Verdinez attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Kwame Acquah and Joanne Leng attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Kwame Acquah and Joanne Leng attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Scott Wallace and Tina Ming attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Scott Wallace and Tina Ming attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Robanna Ogden and Gavin-Jon Deeks attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Robanna Ogden and Gavin-Jon Deeks attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Dan Read and Michael Jacobs attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Dan Read and Michael Jacobs attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
Andrew Leaver and Mark McCracken attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Andrew Leaver and Mark McCracken attend the 14th Annual UK Energy Excellence Reception at the Hilton Post Oak on May 5 during the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference.
Photo: Dave Rossman / For the Houston Chronicle
