| Houston, Texas, USA – The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) announces the 2016 beneficiary of the OTC Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon: the Junior Achievement (JA) of Southeast Texas. OTC will host the Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, 3 May 2016 at NRG Center in Houston. The event recognizes industry achievements, raises funds for a worthy cause, and provides an excellent opportunity for industry leaders to network with colleagues from around the world. In previous years, this occasion has been the Annual OTC Dinner. Because of the support of industry-leading companies, a total of USD 1,175,000 has been donated to charitable organizations over the previous five years. Past recipients are Medical Bridges, Offshore Energy Center, Engineers without Borders, Gulf of Mexico Foundation and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) Energy Education Center for the benefit of the Energy Institute High School. “The Executive Advisory Board selected this year’s charity because of its strong focus on students whose families have been directly affected by the industry downturn,” Brian Evans, senior vice president of Worley Parsons and member of the Executive Advisory Board says. “It is through the college scholarships which will be awarded to students in families hardest hit by this downturn and the growth of Junior Achievement’s other oilfield-related programs, that we are confident that the organization will fulfill this OTC vision,” Evans continues. Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas is the greater Houston area’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network of nearly 12,000 adult role models, JA of Southeast Texas provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12 which focus on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. Today, JA of Southeast Texas anticipates reaching 310,000 students in more than 950 schools. “Junior Achievement is proud to be the beneficiary of the OTC Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon. The offshore industry has long been a supporter of education in the community, and we are pleased to utilize this support to empower young people to own their future economic success,” explains Rick Franke, President, Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. “With this support, we will offer scholarships, in the name of OTC, to students pursuing degrees and certifications needed for, and careers in, the offshore industry. Priority will be granted to those students whose family has been impacted by layoffs related to the economic downturn,” he continues. Franke also detailed that the resources will be used to support the growth of JA Inspire, Junior Achievement’s work readiness program aimed at eighth grade students, informing them of the opportunities in the offshore oil and gas industry. Sponsorship opportunities for the OTC Distinguished Achievement Luncheon are still available at various levels. Visit 2016.otcnet.org to learn more. |