2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards

58 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021 Most Influential Oil & Gas Businesswoman 2021: Marsha Hendler s the largest woman-owned independent oil company in Texas, TerraFina Energy is licensed by the Texas Railroad Commission to explore and operate oil and gas wells in Texas. It all began in 2008 when Marsha Hendler, owner of Marketing+, received a call from an oilfield service company seeking marketing support. “This led me into the oilfield and I quickly discovered something I loved,” Marsha elaborates. “As Marketing+ began to secure more and more clients in the energy sector, it became clear that my new path would be TerraFina Energy.” After a career spanning more than 30 years in marketing, Marsha founded TerraFina Energy in 2011 – and she hasn’t looked back since. However, being a woman in a male-dominated field hasn’t been easy, but it is something that Marsha was already well used to by the time she incorporated her company. “I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel &Restaurant Management from the University of Houston,” she explains. “I was one of three women in the college as this was not seen as a career path for women.” Today, hotel marketing departments are predominately female. While there are more women seeking STEM education and careers, there are few that are stepping into the role of operator. Unfortunately, this results in fewer women in key decision-making roles. Although Marsha’s experiences in the energy sector have been relatively mild and, whilst she has had the odd individual or company that overlooked her in favour of a male operated company, she has largely been dealt with professionally. “The vast majority of the men I have dealt with professionally have been wonderful. Many have treated me like their “little sister,” checking on me to be sure I have the resources needed to grow TerraFina.” Marsha initially found her feet in hospitality and believes it has gone a long way to making her a better oil woman. From hospitality, she learned multi-tasking, logistics, financial planning, and customer service – one of the most overlooked services within the oil sector. And while her background does not include the sciences, she has used her initiative and tenacity to build a strong team, consisting of an excellent geologist, petroleum engineer, and landman. “These professionals are there to advise me,” she enthuses, singing the praises of her dedicated team. “I have often shared the example that a A hotel general manager does not need to be the smartest person in the room when it comes to wine - they must be able to hire a good sommelier.” The Covid pandemic had a negative effect on the oil industry, with the market price for oil going negative in April 2020 and, whilst it was not the first significant drop in market price since Marsha had been involved, it was certainly the most dramatic. “While several firms did not make it through the recession, TerraFina has survived each one, and I am extremely proud of that fact,” she states. Marsha plans to continue to build TerraFina into a large energy company. The firm is currently in discussion with several firms seeking to sell some of their assets and it is also working with a capital company eager to close at least one deal with TerraFina by year-end. “My goal is to operate a minimum of 100 wells by 2022,” she says ambitiously. “This is my third career, and it will be the last. My goal has always been to build TerraFina into a respectable energy company - respectable for how we deal with mineral owners, vendors, and contractors. I have often said that if you’re going to break a glass ceiling you can’t be afraid of being cut by the falling pieces. While well inventory and revenue goals are a prerequisite for success, being able to support charities and other worthy causes is the ultimate goal.” Marsha is well on her way to success with TerraFina, and wants to encourage more women into entrepreneurship. Having recently been awarded the accolade of Most Influential Oil & Gas Businesswoman 2021, she is keen to fly the flag for the oilfield. Through the written word, and by accepting speaking engagements to share her experiences with other women, Marsha has also organised a mentoring group with three other women involved in oil and gas who meet monthly to discuss challenges involving everything from finance to family and fitness! “Not only am I a woman working in a heavily male-dominated industry, but I am also a mature woman. By building TerraFina into a large viable firm, I hope to provide other women with the assurances they need to take a similar path.” Being a woman in a man’s world can be daunting at times, but there is perhaps no more masculine environment than the oilfield. We speak to Marsha Hendler, Founder of TerraFina Energy, about her rise to the top and how her business management skills transferred seamlessly to the oil patch. Aug21808 Contact: Marsha Hendler Company: TerraFina Energy LLC Web Address: www.TerraFinaEnergy.com