Mark O’Roke began his career in the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma City, working for drilling equipment manufacturer Totco. He later relocated to Houston in the early 1990s to join Baker Hughes, a large oilfield service company. At Baker Hughes, Mark held numerous positions in operations, manufacturing, and in various financial functions. That is also where he met Jerri, his wife of nearly 30 years.
Mark eventually began to look for an industry that wasn’t directly tied to the volatile rig count changes witnessed during the 1980s. In 1995, Mark met Eddie Soileau, Founder of Sunland Construction, Inc., and fellow APCA Hall of Fame Inductee. With that introduction, the course of history changed for the better for Mark, Eddie, Sunland & Affiliates, APCA, and the pipeline industry.
Mark joined Sunland as its CFO and was later promoted to VP of Finance. In July 1998, Mark became President, and in 2010, CEO—a position he held until he retired from day-to-day operations in 2012 to assume the role of Chairman of the Board.
Mark’s involvement and impact on APCA was also significant. As a member of APCA’s Board of Directors, Mark focused on critically important areas and initiatives for APCA members, including the selection and implementation of the association’s hours bank health plan. He was also instrumental in APCA’s participation in the IRS rig pay task force.
Mark also passionately spearheaded efforts to inform APCA members concerning union tactics associated with the Pipeline Union Mobilization Project (PUMP), commonly referred to as the Pipeline Workers of America. Mark felt that the tactics were an unfair attempt to destroy the reputation of successful, safe, and quality merit-shop contractors and to reverse a long history of declining union membership and market share losses.
One of Mark’s personal goals as APCA President was to promote the concept of an alliance with OSHA—an initiative that remains a positive work in progress, even today.
Outside of work, Mark was a devoted husband and father. He raised three successful daughters and took great pride and joy in their accomplishments. He was also a doting grandpa to his four grandkids.
After a long and distinguished career, Mark passed away November 13, 2020, leaving the world better than he found it.