Houston Technology Center Remembers Two Energy Entrepreneurs -- George P. Mitchell, and Pat J. Campbell

HOUSTON, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Technology Center, the Entrepreneurial Capital, recognizes and remembers the extraordinary lives of two distinguished energy entrepreneurs who have died recently.

The passing of George P. Mitchell, 94, was announced Friday, July 26. "George was the consummate entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and Texas gentleman," said Walter Ulrich, President and CEO, Houston Technology Center. Mitchell earned a degree from Texas A&M University, graduating first in his class in petroleum engineering. He then started an independent oil and gas company, Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. and built it into a Fortune 500 company. His innovations in the oil industry pioneered horizontal drilling, and his concept of hydraulic fracturing has driven the renaissance of the continental US domestic oil and gas industry. His commitment of time and treasure created a thriving model community in the Woodlands and drove the revitalization and restoration of his home town, and one of Texas' historic cities, Galveston.

Patrick "Pat" J. Campbell, 68, who died Saturday, was a USMC veteran who got started in the oil well firefighting business in the early 1980s and was a successful entrepreneur who built two energy technology companies. The citation for his lifetime achievement award at Houston Technology Center's May 12, 2011Gala - A Celebration of Entrepreneurs recognized Pat as an "innovator with confidence and courage, a straight shooter, an energy industry pioneer and a firefighter's firefighter..." said Ulrich. With the skills he learned in face-to-face combat with these devilish blowouts, the company that he built capped 137 wells in Kuwait in 1991.

"We extend our sympathy to their families," said Ulrich. "George Mitchell and Pat Campbell lived life to the fullest, lives that will be celebrated in Houston for years to come."

About Houston Technology Center

Named by Forbes' as one of "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World," and as one of "Twelve Business Incubators Changing the World," the Houston Technology Center is the largest technology business incubator and accelerator in Texas, advancing the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the greater Houston area. HTC serves as the nexus of new ideas, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship. Each day, the staff and partners of the Houston Technology Center work closely with entrepreneurs and startup companies providing them with in-depth strategic and tactical business guidance, fundraising advice, and connecting them to opportunities, allies, and capital. As a catalyst for change, economic growth and development, HTC's focus is to assist in the acceleration and commercialization of emerging technology companies. Each company is treated individually according to their position in the Acceleration Pathway and their unique needs. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HTC assists Houston-based entrepreneurs within several key sectors: energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology, and NASA/aerospace.

Houston Technology Center Contact:
M. Heather Dunn
Director, Marketing and Communications
Houston Technology Center
832-476-9235
hdunn@HoustonTech.org

SOURCE Houston Technology Center