MC alum’s passion and drive lead the way to successApril 14, 2020

“Call Petra for all things petro!”  That’s the slogan that Petra Reyes used when she successfully started and managed her own oil and gas service company while she was in college.  With the help of her business professor Michael Crain at the University of Texas, Permian Basin (UTPB), Reyes formed an LLC and managed to convince oil and gas companies to hire her to get field invoices processed.  In just 3 months, she had managed to get $2.5 million in outstanding invoices paid. 

“It’s all about knowing people,” explained Reyes.  “I just did a little hard work, went out to the fields and found the right people.”

Reyes is no stranger to hard work and getting things done.  She was born in Midland; her father graduated from Midland College’s Associate Degree Nursing program.  When she was 5, the family moved to La Crosse, WI.  Then, when Reyes was a senior in high school, she moved back to Midland to live with her aunt.

“The only way I was going to be able to get the education I wanted was to move back to Midland,” explained Reyes.  “I knew that Midland College was a great school with lots of scholarship opportunities.  There is nothing like that in La Crosse.  So, when I was 17, on February 9, 2011, I moved back to the Permian Basin.  It was 11 degrees in Wisconsin; I needed flip flops when I got to Midland!”

In August 2011, Reyes entered Midland College (MC) and received the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship.  During her time at MC, Reyes was also an active member of the Student Government Association, a member of the college’s dance team, a writer for the campus newspaper and president of the Cogdell Scholars.  She also worked in the day care at Heroes Fitness and was a private nanny.

In 2014, Reyes transferred to UTPB and was still able to retain the Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship while at UTPB.  At UTPB, she was a member of the Catholic Student Association, lead anchor for the college’s news network and a member of the Falcon Heat dance team.  One of her favorite college activities was working with Enactus, a philanthropy that helps people through entrepreneurial activities.  She also worked simultaneously at four jobs until she launched her own successful company of processing and paying oil and gas service invoices. 

The multinational oilfield service company Weatherford took notice of Reyes’ remarkable abilities.  When she graduated from UTPB in 2018 with a degree in Business Marketing and a certification in Energy Marketing, Weatherford offered Reyes a job.  She was soon promoted to the Technical Sales division.  Several oil and gas companies tried to “steal” Reyes away from Weatherford.

“I really enjoyed working at Weatherford, so when other companies offered me positions, I gave them a salary range that was double what I was making at Weatherford,” said Reyes.  “Then, one day, Pilot Water Solutions offered me a job that tripled what I was making at Weatherford plus bonuses.”

So, at 27-years-old, Petra Reyes, who was the first person in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, became vice president of Marketing and Business Development coordinator for Pilot Water Solutions. 

In her spare time, Reyes enjoys spending time with her two Shih Tzu puppies:  Cha Cha and Sister.  She also plays golf and loves to dance, especially Spanish and Country-Western.  Her favorite places to visit are Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and Las Vegas.  She also volunteers as a mentor and tutor to a group of 6th-grade girls.

“I’m so glad I came back to Midland to pursue higher education and start my career,” stated Reyes.  “There’s something in the water in Midland—the people have passion and drive, and they inspire those traits in others.”