amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

PHILCONDEVELOPMENTCOMPANYAbove: Harry Phillips (left) and DannyConklin founded Philcon DevelopmentCompany in 1960.Below: Left to right, Todd, Ivan, Danny andTim Conklin at a family gathering inthe 1980s.Harry Phillips and Danny Conklin had avaluable and exceptional relationship thattook them on an extraordinary journey forover forty-one years. The duo founded PhilconDevelopment Company in 1960 with virtuallynothing and built the oil and gas explorationand development company into a viablebusiness. The company was established bythe two friends after their mutual employerrestructured and they found themselves jobless.They named their new business Philcon“Development” Company because they neededflexibility if the oil and gas venture failed andthey needed to “develop” something else. Itdid not fail; through hard work and tenacity,the company survived the cyclical roller coasterride that is the oil and gas industry. Sacrificeby both partners and their families helpedthem survive the tough conditions they facedin the early years. Conklin credited his wifeCarolyn with being a great support always andespecially during the lean years.The fledgling company started outin Phillips’ home and after a successionof office upgrades, Philcon isnow located in a downtown bankhigh-rise. A business plan, low overhead,and maintaining a reserve fundcontributed to their success. Philcon,and both Conklin and Phillips,became recognized as leaders in theoil and gas industry and the community.Their diverse personalities madethe company work. Conklin, a geologist,was the jovial workhorse whospent many hours at well sites, andPhillips was the land man whoacquired the leases, and accomplished thelegal and title work. Through the years, thepartners gave credit to the other; both recognizedthe talents of the other contributedto the achievements of the business. Philconwas active in the Amarillo Chamber ofCommerce and both partners served onnumerous boards and supported civic andcharitable organizations.His father worked in the oil and gas industryand Conklin grew up in the oil fields nearCanadian, Texas. Those factors contributed tohis becoming a respected expert in the industry;he was often called upon to represent theindustry during energy policy discussionsregionally and nationally. Conklin was oftenin the national spotlight because of hischairmanship of the Independent PetroleumAssociation of America, his term as presidentof the Panhandle Producers and RoyaltyOwners Association (PPROA), and his serviceon many other industry boards. He receivednumerous awards including Chief Roughneckand PPROA’s Living Legend Award. At thetime of his death in 2001, he was president ofU.S. Oil and Gas. Today both his sons, Toddand Tim work in oil and gas related careers.Phillips also was active in the PPROA aswell as the Landman’s Association. Phillipsstepped up and took the reins of Philconwhen Conklin passed away. He has sincesold his interest in the company and retired;he now devotes his energies to the fine artscommunity in Amarillo. He received theAmarillo Chamber of Commerce Golden NailAward for contribution to the arts in 2011.AMARILLO - Faces, Places & Open Spaces292