Ulses already has accomplished his first goal of setting board and committee meeting dates on an annual basis so people have more time to make travel arrangements. The first meeting was March 18-19 in Signal Hill, Calif. The next meetings are Aug. 12-13 in St. Louis and Dec. 2-3 in Phoenix.

Ulses is planning to re-focus the association on safety and training issues. The association's safety committee has approved its first set of “Tailgate Safety Tips,” colorful and professionally prepared handouts to promote safe drilling practices. The tip sheets will be released throughout the year on topics such as heat stress and safe refueling. These tips can be used in regular safety meetings or as a supplement to contractor safety training programs. The training committee is working on the revision of the NDA's “Driller's Handbook” to update the information in it as well as to make it more user-friendly for field personnel.