Charlie Burd

Charlie Burd Executive Director, IOGA

From the Burd’s Nest: Something Old, Something New...

As I look back on 2020, it’s almost surreal. It was the year that saw the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus emerge from nowhere and morph into a global pandemic that indiscriminately destroys lives and economies. It’s a virus that has touched virtually each of us is some way--and mostly not good!!!

In the face of this catastrophic event, the oil and natural gas industry did what it does best: met the challenges straight on and continued to produce and supply energy to our nation while, at the same time, helping in every way possible to assist our communities, our first responders, our charitable agencies and those individuals in greatest need. This sense of community is what makes each of us proud to be part of this wonderful industry.

As I begin 2021, I do so with much excitement and anticipation. Over the last many years, and especially since the initiation of horizontal shale production, there has been much discussion on how the oil and gas industry has transformed. The advancement in technology to drill horizontally has been a game changer. I liken it to the addition of lights to baseball fields back in 1935 at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field. That marriage of technology transformed baseball and the game has never looked back on that development.

In early June 2020, I was made aware that leadership from both IOGA and WVONGA were exploring the possibility of a merger. This was not the first time in my 18-year tenure with IOGA that a potential merger had been discussed. In fact, I was informed it had been discussed just prior to my hiring in 2002; again in 2017, and then upon the vacancy at WVONGA created when Anne Blankenship left to once again practice law. As they say, the third time is the charm and with the stars in alignment, the process advanced to each association soliciting its voting members in November.

On December 3, 2020, the oil and natural gas industry in West Virginia took a giant leap of faith with the marriage or reuniting of IOGA and WVONGA into the Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc.- or GOWV. These two strong organizations with common memberships, goals and aspirations voted overwhelmingly to merge. These two strong associations will now go all out to seek common ground from which to stand united in purpose to achieve even greater successes in the areas of safety, legislative, regulatory and environmental stewardship.

There is a rhyme that originated in England during the Victorian Era that is said to symbolize luck for a bride on her marriage: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.

Each item in this rhyme is said to be good-luck token for the bride (GO-WV). Carried simultaneously, they are said to create a happy marriage. In the case of GO-WV: • “Something old” symbolizes continuity and trust from the past. • “Something new” means optimism and hope for what lies ahead. • “Something borrowed” represents a melding of the traditions from IOGA and WVON-

GA. • “Something blue” symbolizes the strength in our blue natural gas flame. And finally, • “A sixpence in the shoe” symbolizes our combined unity of purpose and financial strength.

While this may all sound just a bit hokey….is it not an appropriate analogy? While there is likely to be a pothole or two to navigate around from time to time, it seems to make sense that the merging of two very like-minded associations was inevitable. Given the devotion of the combined leadership and the strong committee structure that will be put in place, GO-WV will unite the industry in a common purpose and seek on its own a pathway to greater successes that will benefit the association, its members and their employees, the communities in which it operates and the State of West Virginia.

This article closes with my most humble thanks for being selected to be the Executive Director of GOWV. This is a responsibility that will never be taken lightly and, as I have demonstrated for the past 18 plus years, I will work to better the Association and represent it and its members with honor. Remember, I too am part of that “Something old” symbolism--as I hope to bring with me immense continuity and trust.