888-465-1569 holeproducts.com Shelia McGinnis All American Drilling and Pump Service Shelia remembers going out on the rig when she was little and watching her grandpa and dad drill. Once her grandpa retired, her dad needed a new drill hand and asked her if she wanted to give it a try. She loved the physical labor and being outdoors and has been working with her father James McGinnis, ever since. She said, “The hardest part of my job is when we are stemming out of a deep hole. I pull the 25-foot stem pipes and get them back onto the truck. No need for the gym! One of the best parts about my job is when we hit water for our customers. They are always thrilled and eager for the next steps. Another one of my favorite parts of this job is getting to work side-by-side with my dad. He has taught me so much. It can be difficult at times, but I am so thankful I have him to show me the ropes.” Although being a drill operator is a physically demanding job, she would like to see more women accepted in the industry and loves the confidence gained by working as hard as others in the profession. “It is a privilege to represent females in the drilling industry. I keep up with the guys and actually push them to keep up with me. I hope to encourage other women to join the industry,” she stated. In the end, it’s about working hard. “I want to be acknowledged due to my hard work and remove my gender from it. Drilling is all about the sweat, persistence, and knowledge you put in. I am proud of our field and to be part of an honest and authentic company,” she explained. Megan Noblitt Aiken Well Drilling Megan was working as a concrete truck driver and found herself amazed while watching her coworkers drill for water. Her boss noticed her interest and encouraged her to pursue her drilling license. After lots of studying and hands-on training, she took the test and was one of only two in the session who passed that day. “ I can honestly say I was a little emotional and proud of myself,” she said. She isn’t the first in her family to join the drilling community. Her grandfather worked and retired from Halliburton. Her father drilled for water in Wyoming, while her uncles joined the gas and oil industry. She is growing into the image of being a well drilling professional and learning more every day. “I drill, weld, drive trucks, and wrench, but being a drill operator, I also aid everyone in the field,” she said. Megan enjoys drilling and finds it very rewarding. “I would have to say the best part about my job is seeing the joy I bring to people's lives . . . when I arrive at a job and while I am developing the well and they see the results. The hardest part would have to be the unknown situations you can get into here in central Oregon. The formations, the weather, we have all the seasons in one day and it can make your day difficult,” she explained. Her advice to others, “Strive to be the best you can be, don’t stop when it gets dark, turn the lights on!” OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® 4
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