WorldWide Drilling Resource

47 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2014 WorldWide “High Hopes -vs- Reality” by Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Managing Publisher From a dream, to more than I could ever imagine. Life is truly “one day at a time”, with a vision of the future. This is history month here at WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc. The reason is the drilling industry is why we have a his- tory, and we want our industry to boast its history. Manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers, as well as other parts of drilling history, are featured here in this issue, so you can get a feel for how important the history of our industry really is. Now, please take a moment to review just how WWDR , as it is affectionately called, began; how it has helped our drilling indus- try since its founding in 2003, and how it continues to improve. Try to figure out for yourself, what others have been doing to “follow the lead of this Resource ”. Slinging the dirt? Not necessary - never have, never will. Many know me personally - some may not. But those who really do know me, have heard me say “I wouldn’t tell a lie for my dead mother (rest her soul).” Some don’t believe it at first. My husband included. I guess that’s because most people do lie, cheat, etc. It may have taken 40 plus years, but my husband is a true believer now, and I often hear him tell others, “Ronnie wouldn’t tell a lie for her dead mother.” The truth may be hard for some, and in fact, it may hurt, but the truth in my life has proven to be what has made this magazine what it is today. Easy road? you ask. Heavens no! But high hopes and a great deal of hard work from everyone who has and is a part of this wonderful Resource has made a dream come true and continue today. You can expect more improvements in the future. Why did I go forward with such a bold venture when the only publishing experience I had was that which I learned through Doc Faison? 1. A genuine understanding of the necessities of drilling and every component necessary to complete the job at hand. 2. A true and honest caring for those drilling contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers; as well as those hardworking associations worldwide. I remember explaining to Kathy, our first hire, when she had never made a sales call in her life: “The people in this industry are like your neighbors. They are down-to-earth people like farmers (who I also have total respect for). Hardworking and honest.” She quickly learned that, and works diligently every day to provide you with the top-quality treatment and service you rightly deserve. Now for a little history: 1999 ~ Doc Faison suggested to the new owners of the company he sold, NDBG, they hire me as Publisher. (I’m sure glad they never took his suggestion!) He told me to stay in touch with the industry, which I did by working in sales for NGWA, Australasian Drilling, and Geo-Drilling International; until he and I combined efforts to begin the world’s finest Resource - WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc. 2003 ~ Meetings were had with the name selection process going forward. We didn’t want to limit the scope and coverage of this magazine, thus WorldWide was chosen. ~ Investors were invited to join, and did. ~ The color Red preferred over yellow (the yellow jackets didn’t ring well.) ~ Corporation formed ~ First employee hired ~ Editor onboard ~ 14,000 subscribers researched and manually inserted into database within three months ~ Magazine format (true magazine size) decided ~ Sections for all facets of the drilling industry set up (banners included) ~ Full Color throughout magazine chosen over partial color / black and white ~ Classified Section Headers bold ~ Logo is chosen ~ Writers onboard ~ More employees onboard ~ Work begins on first issue - January 2004 ~ First issue printed and we are off to NGWA Annual Convention - December 2003 2004 ~ Work continues on subscriber database - with international increase also. ~ Associations welcome WWDR and join forces (Confidence is a rewarding relationship builder.) ~ February logo change ~ Typeset change ~ Layout change ~ First Buyers Meet Sellers ~ Upgrades already in progress throughout ~ Classified gets a new face and name - WorldWide SUPER MART™ ~ A special “Thank You” from Ronnie and Doc 2005 ~ First WorldWide Calendar in magazine ~ Sadness befalls the company as Doc announces health condition ~ Majority of stock is sold to cofounder, Jones ~ WWDR relocates south of I-10 in Bonifay, Florida And this is n this is Ronnie’s R nn Real World