Nearly 30 years ago, in October 1981, a year into the National Energy Program, I joined Oilweek as an associate editor – with a couple of years experience under my belt as a weekly newspaper reporter and editor but a virtual neophyte in terms of covering the Canadian oil and gas industry.

A few weeks after I joined Oilweek, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada came into being as the service and supply members of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors decided they would be better served with their own organization. The CAODC let them go with its blessing.

A few weeks later, Roger Soucy – who had been the CAODC’s service & supply sector manager – was named president of the fledgling organization, and he’s directed PSAC ever since. Over the years, he’s been through more booms and busts than many of us can remember, and has overseen the growth of the organization from an idea in the heads of a few executives to the focused, credible and respected national voice of the service and supply sector that it is today.

Over the years, I’ve relied on Roger extensively for comments on industry conditions and affairs, and have found him to be a forthright and honest source, always willing to offer an opinion and never shying away from the tough questions.
David Yager – who I’ve known since his days as a competing journalist with The Roughneck – has grown with the industry and with PSAC, and now serves as the organization’s chairman. Over the next several weeks, he’ll be directing the search for Roger’s replacement, and the task will not be easy.

“In his 29 years of dedicated service, Roger has done an outstanding job of being the main spokesman for our large and diverse oilfield service sector,” Yager says. “During that time he has helped keep PSAC membership strong and united and has presented a consistent, positive message about the importance of the oilfield service industry to Albertans, Canadians, investors, other industry associations and all levels of government across the country.”

Roger has been the face of the service and supply industry in Canada for three decades. It will be tough to see him go.