» Chris Blackledge, District Manager Renegade in Laurel Mississippi and Mike Donald, Retired Sales Supervisor
Honoring the Career of a True Oilfield Professional
Renegade bids farewell to long-time oilfield hand Mike Donald, Renegade Sales Supervisor in Laurel, Mississippi. Mike will retire in January following a long career in the oil patch.
After studying forestry at Jones College in Ellisville, Mississippi, Mike started his career working for Bowen Tools from 1974 to 1979. He joined NL McCullough (later Dresser Atlas) in 1979 where he was an operator and completions engineer. Mike also worked in various positions at Wedge Wireline for 7½ years, Black Warrior Wireline Corp. for 18½ years and Boots Smith Oilfield for 2½ years.
In these roles, Mike has worked across the Southern U.S. including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Arkansas. He also worked offshore Gulf of Mexico and in West Texas.
Throughout his years of success and achievement in the oil and gas industry, Mike always had good mentors. “Everything I’ve done and accomplished, has been because of those guys,” Mike said. “Some of the best were James Moreland, Morris Tidwell, Larry Tidwell, Jim Davis as well as my Dad James Donald. The best advice I would give to a young person starting out today would be to find a good mentor and listen to what they have to say.”
Mike has led the Renegade sales team in Western Mississippi, based in Laurel, for the past 6½ years.
“We wish Mike the best in his retirement,” said Chris Blackledge, Renegade District Manager for Laurel. “At Renegade and the other companies Mike has worked at, he has always been a true professional, always responsive to the customer, any time, day or night.”
Mike’s immediate plans include finishing remodeling his current house and then catching up on fishing, travel and spending time with his family, including four grandsons.