Hunt Petroleum | Senior Vice President & CFO
After working at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG) as an audit partner, Danny Bowlin redirected his financial expertise to concentrate on the oil industry. In 1985, he joined the Dallas-based company of Hunt Petroleum, which specializes in domestic exploration and production of oil and gas, mainly in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
“With the firm, I did a lot of audit work with the oil and gas industry, and specifically for the Hunt family entities,” he said. “I liked the family ownership of the company and what they stood for, so I took the opportunity to join them.”
Although the company is relatively small in size, Bowlin said there is a powerful, driving force of dedicated employees standing behind it.
“At Hunt Petroleum, we employ about 350 people,” he said. “We have an unusually large number of loyal employees. A big part of any successful company is creating value for shareholders with an atmosphere of camaraderie.”
Bowlin, BBA ’69, said he enjoys the dynamics of the industry. “I like the challenges we encounter,” he said. “We’re privately-owned so we do not face the same issues that publicly-owned companies have, like satisfying outside shareholders. Our operations team is constantly challenged to find niche areas for properties that will be productive in order for our company to provide resources and remain competitive.”
Bowlin said that the oil and gas industry is a progressive one with technological advancements paving the way.
“I am continually amazed by the technology that is available today for exploration of resources and putting them into use to benefit others,” he said. “Using this technology, our people will go out into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico in several hundred feet of water, drill a well several thousand feet deep, and find oil or gas. It is remarkable.”
Bowlin understands the importance of applying a strong work ethic in business to create positive results, while remaining humble in one’s endeavors.
“One of the most important things I think Baylor taught me is about taking responsibility for your own work,” he said. “I think the business school instills that down-to-earth work ethic of working your way up in a respectable manner.”
As he looks toward the future, Bowlin said adaptation is the key. “In the oil and gas industry, you have to learn to be flexible,” he said. “Every day there are company acquisitions and mergers. There are a lot of opportunities, but with those opportunities come new responsibilities. You have to be able to move in the direction that the business takes you.”
Aside from his career, Bowlin enjoys spending time with his family, especially his three granddaughters, whom he said already attend Baylor events.