Scope and Contents Interviewer: Preetam PrakashAffiliation: University of ArizonaMr. Heathcock had contacted Preetam after viewing the article in the Meridian Star concerning the project. They had spoken for a short while on the phone concerning his history in the offshore oil industry and had subsequently arranged to meet at his home in Quitman, MS. Mr. Heathcock had been born and raised in the nearby town of Stonewall, MS and had entered the oil industry in the late 1950s after...

Scope and Contents Interviewers: Laura Ek and Lillian MillerAffiliation: University of ArizonaLaura was referred to Claire Hernandez by her brother Gary Hernandez. She worked offshore as a roustabout for Exxon for just over a year. Laura called her and set up an interview at her home in Carencro, Louisiana. Claire sat with Laura and Lillian in her living room and pulled out a few photos and an article which Laura borrowed to scan and add to her archives. Claire was looking forward to...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Laura EkAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was referred to Sally Ware when I was in Lafayette last fall. She has worked for LAGCOE (Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition) since 1980 as their primary employee. The trade-show runs every other year in the fall, and she is in charge of setting it up and coordinating the event.Sally Ware is originally from Duncan, Oklahoma. In the 1940s, her family moved here because her father was in the oil...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Laura EkAffiliation: University of ArizonaI met Gary Hernandez at a KRVS local public radio fundraiser with Lillian Miller one evening. After being introduced to and interviewing his sister, Claire Hernandez, Gary and I had an interview together at his home in Carencro just outside Lafayette.Gary Hernandez was born February 12, 1951 in Lafayette, Louisiana. His family is from Carencro and he and his sister, brother, and mother still live on...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Diane Austin, Laura EkAffiliation: University of ArizonaDennis Sullivan referred Laura to Randy Hernandez. He described him as someone who works for one of the major oil companies designing safer platforms. Diane and I met at his home in Lafayette.Mr. Hernandez was born in 1958 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He graduated from North Side high school in Lafayette. During high school he did electrical work. After his high school graduation he went to...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Laura EkAffiliation: University of ArizonaReferred to Paul Hilliard as a “Good authority” on the history of Lafayette by many previous interviewees, I met with Mr. Hilliard at his office at Badger Oil. An employee of his, Steve Maley, (petroleum engineer) joined our conversation.Paul Hilliard is from Wisconsin. He began pursuing studies at the University of Wisconsin, but joined the military soon after. He went into the service from 1943-1946....

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Jacob CampbellAffiliation: University of ArizonaMr. Trahan was referred by his wife Carline who works at Songy’s Sporting Goods store in Houma. Ronnie knows many of the contract companies working in the Houma area; as operations manager for a major welding company, he negotiates contracts with major oil companies as well as small shops. He agreed to be interviewed in his office at Marine Fabrication Company on Venture Road in Houma.Mr. Trahan...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Diane AustinAffiliation: University of ArizonaVictoria Phaneuf had been referred to Mr. Holland by local residents who were aware that he was one of the last remaining wooden boat builders in Biloxi. She contacted him and asked if he would be willing to do an interview. He agreed, so Tory and Diane Austin arranged to meet him at his boat yard in Biloxi, which is located next to his house. The interview took place in the enclosed construction area of his...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Laura EkAffiliation: University of ArizonaI was referred to Bob Peatross by Joseph Beck at Halliburton. Joseph Beck referred me to him as someone with perspective on the smaller mom and pop operations in the Gulf of Mexico around the oil industry. I called him, and a week later we set up an appointment to meet at his office.Bob Peatross has worked for Halliburton for the past 38 years. He graduated from high school in Fallbrook California, and...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Jacob CampbellAffiliation: University of ArizonaRonnie was first contacted during the History II study, referred by Richard Goodroe, but was never interviewed. We met at his home in north Houma. He worked for Unocal, retiring in 2003. The following year he took a position with Measurement Technologies, as a salesman for the oilfield service company, which he currently holds. He maintains ties with many of his former Unocal co-workers, and provided me with...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Preetam PrakashAffiliation: University of ArizonaI had stopped by the crab and oyster processing plant operated by Johnny Johnson, his son Paul, and other members of their family early on in the fall of 2010. At the time I had spoken with them about some of the impacts of the Gulf oil spill on their business. I had mentioned to them that I was hoping to conduct some oral history interviews with people in the area who were involved in the seafood industry,...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Jacob CampbellAffiliation: University of ArizonaMr. Redmond was referred by Burleigh Ruiz, both men being Texaco retirees and friends. Fuzzy meets with this Texaco group for coffee semi-regularly. Mr. Redmond lives on Presque Isle, near the Houma airport, which is where the interview took place. His son, Richard Jr., lives in Montegut and currently works on deepwater platforms for Chevron. Richard Sr. said his son would be able to speak about the industry...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Preetam PrakashAffiliation: University of ArizonaI had met with Mr. Jones during the time that I had spent in the area during the summer of 2010. Mr. Jones was the Director of the Vocational Training School in Waynesboro, a position he had occupied since 1995. When I arrived back in the area in 2011, I contacted Mr. Jones and we spoke about what had transpired in the area since I had been away. I mentioned that I was hoping to conduct more oral history...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Victoria PhaneufAffiliation: University of ArizonaI had met Jerry at a book signing a couple of weeks earlier. We'd agreed to meet and do an interview for the project. We had arranged to meet at 9, I was about 15 minutes late because of traffic, but I had called him so he showed up at the same time I was. We met at the shop where his grandson, Jeremy, was working as the manager. I was introduced and we started with a tour of the facility. In the front of...

Scope and Contents Interviewer: Jacob CampbellAffiliation: University of ArizonaSonny was first contacted during the History II study, referred by Pauline Moniet, but was never interviewed. We met at his home in north Houma. His wife Judy served us coffee and made several comments. He worked for Pure Drilling, which later merged with Union Oil, retiring in 1989. Presently he spends most of his time carving decorative fowl, showing his products at conventions and teaching soap carving to...