National Stripper Well Association to Honor XTO Resources' Chairman Bob Simpson, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr. at 2010 Energy Industry Gala

Online, April 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Oklahoma City, OK, April 6, 2010 - On April 23, 2010, The National Stripper Well Association (NSWA) will take a moment to recognize one of America's true energy heroes at its fourth-annual Energy Gala in Ft. Worth, Texas. This year's special "Hero of Industry" honoree will be Bob Simpson, Chairman, CEO and founder of XTO Energy Inc. NSWA will also recognize United States Senator John Cornyn as its "Legislator of the Year," and Tulsa Mayor and Keener Oil Company President Dewey Bartlett, Jr. with its "Distinguished Leadership Award." The evening's tribute speaker will be Baylor University head football coach Art Briles.

"This will be a wonderful evening, as we look forward to honoring a long-time industry hero, who knows what it's like to start at the bottom and through hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurial creativity, build a company that is now one of the largest owners of our country's natural gas reserves," said Dave Murfin, chairman-elect of NSWA and President of Murfin Drilling Company. "Mr. Simpson knows how to identify diamonds in the rough, and we appreciate his philosophy and ability to see the 'possibilities' that are achieved through tenacity, perseverance, and hard work in our nation's oil and natural gas fields."

Mr. Simpson's corporate philosophy is simple; he acquires the best natural gas and oil properties and employs top-notch science teams to develop hidden upsides. By utilizing the newest technology and innovative solutions, production grows, reserves grow, and value grows. In 1986, Mr. Simpson and two partners founded Cross Timbers Oil Company after a hostile takeover. Raised in west Texas and the son of a cotton farmer, Mr. Simpson grew up enamored with the oil business. It was his desire to become a part of the oil industry coupled with an instinctive entrepreneurial spirit (he had an egg route at age four and sold his produce door-to-door) that laid the foundation for his future success in business. Today, as the Chairman of the Board and Founder of XTO Energy Inc., Mr. Simpson has received numerous awards and accolades for his company's success, yet he never loses sight of what got him where he is today - a tried-and-true, time-tested philosophy to which he holds true.

For details on attending the Energy Gala and for sponsorship opportunities please contact Melissa Shaw at 405-228-4112 or [email protected].

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About NSWA
The National Stripper Well Association is the nonprofit trade association which represents producers and operators of marginally economic crude oil and natural gas wells in the United States. For additional information, please visit www.nswa.us .