After 21 years with SPE and more than 40 years in the energy industry, Glenda Smith, vice president for communications, announced her retirement at the end of February. Smith started her career as a statistics editor at Oil & Gas Journal, followed by a move to Washington, DC, to work on projects with the US Department of Energy, Gas Research Institute, and American Petroleum Institute (API) focused on environmental regulation requirements, research and development, and energy policy.
While working as a consultant for API, Smith worked with Mark Rubin, SPE chief executive officer and executive vice president. Rubin recruited Smith to join API and later to join SPE as senior manager, web content in 2002.
“Working with Glenda while at API, I admired her high-quality work and dedication to her job. She was excellent at analysis and writing reports to support the industry,” Rubin said. “When I took the role at SPE we had just launched the new spe.org. It was great structurally but badly needed to enhance our content. I created a position for Glenda to join the team and bring her knowledge of the industry and writing excellence. I knew she would improve the quality of the website and add a bit of gravitas to our communications.”
“I have known Glenda for over 15 years,” said Kamel Ben-Naceur, 2022 SPE President. “When I first joined the SPE Board, she was very supportive of the digital evolution of SPE, and under her leadership, SPE communications and publications evolved significantly. Glenda has always been extremely responsive and proactive, coming up with the appropriate messages. Throughout the three major crises that the industry has gone through during her tenure at SPE, Glenda actively managed appropriate communications to our members. We will miss her wisdom and her historical perspective. I wish Glenda and her family an enjoyable new phase of their life in beautiful Tulsa!“
“During my presidency and tenure on the SPE Board, I always enjoyed working with Glenda,” said Jeff Spath, 2014 SPE President. “I was impressed by her dedication to SPE and the solid knowledge of the industry she brought to the publications and communications team. She will be missed.”
Smith contributed her project management and communication skills to web content, technical publications, and strategy, eventually becoming vice president, communications in 2014.
In that role, Smith oversaw a staff of 40 in all aspects of publications and communication for SPE. Functions included magazines, journals, newsletters, SPE’s website, public relations, internal communications, publishing services, OnePetro, PetroWiki, copyright, and more. She also had responsibility for SPE’s energy education program, business analytics, and innovation. Building two of SPE’s most-used resources, OnePetro and PetroWiki, are part of her legacy to SPE.
Rebekah Stacha, SPE director technical publications, said, “In the 20 years I have worked with Glenda, she has been an amazing boss and mentor who was always willing to listen, impart wisdom, and offer support. She has always led by example and was willing to work hands-on beside her team to advance new ideas and innovation for SPE’s publications and web development. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but the vision, guidance, and inspiration she provided will always be remembered.”
“Working with Glenda over my career at SPE has taught me a lot about the industry and problem solving,” said Paige McCown, SPE senior manager, communications and energy education. “Glenda was always available to listen and offer advice and solutions to communication challenges. She was never above rolling up her sleeves and getting things done.”
Smith moved back to Tulsa in 2022, where her career began, to retire near friends and family. She plans to spend most of her free time traveling, volunteering with the food bank and other family and children’s charities, and most of all, creating a backyard oasis with lots of flowers and a rose garden.
