No matter the industry, no two career paths are carved out the same, and for Jim LaPorte, president of Mudslayer Manufacturing, his journey toward a career in drilling began with a unique instance of family misfortune.

After years sharpening his drilling skills elsewhere, Ken Phillips came back home to Gregory Drilling, where he oversees crews working a TerraSonic 150CC crawler.

Ken Swarthout was born and raised in Hemet, California. His father was a farmer in the valley, and after serving in the Air Force, he and his brother turned to raising different types of crops. That's where Swarthout learned the ins and outs of machinery.

Dan Rau, PE, has been involved in the geothermal industry since late 1999, when he first began his adventure into the field.

Sometimes in life, our journey takes us to unexpected places. And if we're lucky, it's something that speaks to our soul and sparks a new passion.

A great leader isn't someone who leads; it's someone that inspires other people to want to follow.

Sometimes, a career stems from a family tradition. Other times, an opportunity falls into your lap by chance. And, very rarely, it happens out of love.

The age-old phrase of "quality over quantity" stands true for many professions, including drillers.

Not many industries “do” family better than the drilling industry.

For many out there, 85 is an age that equals wisdom, experience and change. Frontz Drilling Inc., of Wooster, Ohio, knows what that feels like.