Ryder Scott Company Founder's Book Chronicles Firm's Journey

Ronald Harrell, a veteran petroleum engineer and former CEO of Ryder Scott Company, has published a new book, "Beneath the Surface," chronicling the journey of the company from its humble beginnings in Pennsylvania to its current status as a global leader in the oil and gas industry.

Harry Ryder and David Scott, the founders of Ryder Scott Company, established the firm in the mid-1930s with a focus on serving oil and gas producers seeking to maximize the yield from the Bradford oil field. As the Bradford resource began to decline, the company adapted by expanding its operations westward to Wichita Falls, Texas, and eventually to Houston. This strategic move positioned Ryder Scott to become a key player in the oil and gas sector across Oklahoma and Texas.

Harrell, who joined the company in 1968 and retired in 2006, provides a unique firsthand perspective on the company's evolution. His career within the organization allowed him to witness and contribute to pivotal decisions and transformations. Harrell's background, earned with distinction from Louisiana Tech University, combined with his extensive expertise as a consultant and expert witness across multiple continents, offers credible insight into both the technical foundations and business acumen that drove Ryder Scott forward.

"Beneath the Surface" delves into the challenges of scaling operations across different regions and the importance of reinvention in the face of shifting markets. The book highlights how visionary leadership and specialized expertise built an enduring enterprise that has served clients for nearly eighty-five years. It also offers valuable lessons that extend beyond the oil and gas sector, emphasizing the impact that focused expertise can have on an entire industry.

In the book, Harrell details the untold stories of the pioneering figures and dedicated professionals who shaped Ryder Scott into the influential organization it is today. The narrative covers the company's transformation as it shifted its focus toward financial institutions and asset evaluation, critical services for both private operators and publicly traded entities.

"Through this book, I aim to preserve the legacy of the remarkable people and transformative work that defined Ryder Scott Company," said Harrell. "I hope readers gain appreciation for how determination, innovation, and strategic vision enabled a small regional firm to become a trusted partner for some of the world's most significant energy operations."

"Ryder Scott Company has a rich and storied history that is vital to understanding the evolution of the oil and gas industry," said David Johnson, an industry analyst. "Harrell's insider account provides a unique perspective that is both informative and inspiring."

Readers can purchase "Beneath the Surface" at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.