Interviewer(s): D. Austin. Amelia, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I met Julie Barrilleaux in 1999 when I interviewed her boss, Earl King, Jr., as part of the study of the impacts of the offshore oil and gas industry on individuals and families in southern Louisiana. I returned to visit Earl in 2001 as part of the offshore history study and spent some time talking with Julie as well. When I began looking specifically for women who were involved in the industry, I asked Julie if she would be willing to be interviewed, and she consented. I contacted her on several trips, but we had a hard time coordinating our schedules. We finally met in July at her office.

Julie Prestenbach Barilleaux was born and raised in Morgan City, Louisiana. When she graduated from high school in 1977, her parents could not afford to send her to college, so she began looking for a job. At the employment office, she learned that King Trucking was looking for help, so she applied for the job. She was hired and has been with the company since then. She has enjoyed working for a smaller company where she has many different responsibilities and has earned enough to raise her son. In 1996, while still working for Earl King, Jr., Julie returned to college; she was awarded her baccalaureate degree in 2001