J. Larry Nichols of Tulsa, chairman of the board of Devon Energy Corporation and James J. Mulva of Houston, chairman of the board of ConocoPhillips, were presented with the Texas oil and gas industry’s most prestigious honor in December - Texas Oil & Gas Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

Each year, the Association bestows the Distinguished Service Award on an independent producer and a senior executive of a major energy company which operates in Texas in recognition of their extraordinary service to the oil and gas industry and to the nation during their business careers.  As DSA Committee chairman Corby Robertson said, “This tradition illustrates a meaningful spirit of cooperation between representatives of major energy companies and independent operators which has long existed in this Association, and in the industry at large.  This cooperative spirit has served the industry, the people of Texas and the nation well.”  This year’s awards were presented to the petroleum industry giants on Friday, December 3, at the River Oaks County Club in Houston.

Mr. Nichols, as recipient of the independent award, is a co-founder of Devon Energy Corporation, a director of the company since 1971, served as its president until 2003 and was named chairman of the board of directors in 2000.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. 

He currently serves as a director of Smedvig Asa, Baker Hughes Inc., the Oklahoma City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and several industry trade associations.

James J. Mulva, recipient of the major company award, grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and was graduated from the University of Texas in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration finance in 1969.  Immediately upon graduation, he served as a U.S. Navy officer until beginning his career with Phillips Petroleum Company in 1973.  Since that time, he has spent his entire career serving his company and industry he represents.   He now holds the position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of that company – ConocoPhillips.

In 2002, he was named the “petroleum executive of the year” by his peers in the international oil and natural gas industry.

This is the 69th consecutive year that the award has been presented to industry leaders.  Recipients of the award are chosen by a committee of previous honorees.

In attendance at the luncheon were former recipients and DSA Committee Members, Bob Parker, Parker Drilling, Tulsa; Ambassador Roy Huffington, Roy M. Huffington, Inc, Houston; and Bill Abington, Austin, former president of TXOGA.