SIMCO Drilling Equipment bids farewell to longtime Director of Sales and Marketing, Richard Clarke, retiring at the end of May after 35 years of service with the company.
Richard graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Marketing and Production Management. For ten years, he worked for several hydraulic component manufacturing firms, gaining valuable experience and knowledge while also earning his Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. An opportunity arose for him to share his expertise, and he taught marketing courses at Iowa State University and Simpson College before joining the SIMCO team.
For 35 years, Richard served as the face of SIMCO at the hundreds of trade shows and conferences he attended to represent their growing line of hydraulic drill rigs. This role allowed him the chance to travel extensively throughout the United States, as well as make several trips overseas to expand SIMCO’s reach and reputation. In addition to his tireless efforts in rig sales and promotion, Richard was involved in the design and development of SIMCO’s extensive product line, particularly the 2400 DRILLTEAM and the 255PTC rigs.
More than eleven years of his career were spent serving on various committees and boards of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), culminating in his election as Chairman of the Manufacturers Division and Vice President of the NGWA Executive Board. One highlight of his service was the opportunity to act as a part of the Iowa Delegation to an NGWA-Washington D.C. Legislation Fly-in, instrumental in the final push for the first Federal Tax Credit for geothermal heat pump systems. But it’s the people of the drilling industry that Richard says he will miss the most.
“It was an absolute honor getting to know and work alongside other dedicated NGWA volunteers from the ranks of contractors, scientists, engineers, suppliers, and other manufacturers,” said Clarke. “There’s nothing else like this community.”
Retirement will see Richard enjoying more golf and less commuting, adding some work on his house and garden and spending time with Kathleen, his wife of 49 years. He also plans to throw porch parties, get behind the wheel of his English sports cars, take on consulting work and some dog training sessions, and travel for pleasure.
“I may have to come back to work just to rest,” said Clarke.
