Aramco Retiree Greg Stark Reflects on 11 Memorable Years
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Author: Aramco ExPats
Released 10 January 2008
Greg Stark enjoys a waterfront meal with his wife, Pamela.
On August 29, 2007, after 11 years in the employ of Saudi Aramco, Gregory Stark completed his last day of work as Engineer I for the Consulting Services Department. Practically speaking, he served in the Materials Engineering Unit of the Materials Engineering & Corrosion Control Division as a Metallurgical & Welding Engineer. Two days later, Mr. Stark left his surrogate home in Dhahran to await his shipment in Denton, Texas. Several months have passed and while much unpacking remains, this Annuitant is happy to be through the worst of the reverse culture-shock. Mr. Stark recently took time to share with Aramco ExPats some reflections on his life in Saudi Arabia.
He was first introduced to Aramco while searching for consulting jobs. It was during this search that he discovered candidates with Saudi Aramco experience, in the late 1980s, were preferred. After some earnest research, he felt that joining the company would be an ideal career move. Greg spent several years courting Aramco before the Consulting Services Department determined that he would indeed provide a useful service to the company. He credits that piece of communication from the CSD for having drastically changed his life for the better, as Stark insists the total experience of working for Aramco is "second to none."
Greg points out that the highlight of his career was simply being able to work, quite literally, with the world community. "I had never experienced the great cross-section of talent that many of my international colleagues had to offer. It truly changed my concept of the world community." In this way, he was able to learn a completely new viewpoint on the oil and gas business from the end-user perspective. His prior experience had been that of a steel producer for the oil patch. "While working with Aramco I was able to look at operations 'from the other end of the pipeline,' in a matter of speaking." Greg's professional and personal career experience was totally rounded out with the understanding that the problems experienced by producers are completely different from those affecting the end-user.
Greg referees a hockey game in Singapore.
While working for Aramco, Mr. Stark was a member of the Saudi Aramco Employees Association who actively supported his wife, Pamela, during her time as Activities Coordinator for SAEA. He also served as Secretary and Treasurer for the local chapter of the American Welding Society (AWS). His extracurricular activities included participation in the Simulated Sport Society - a self-directed group. Greg also served as a player and referee for the Saad Falcons Ice Hockey Club on the Oasis compound. Involvement with the Falcons included playing and refereeing in the Emirates, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in addition to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He refereed games for both men's and children's hockey tournaments in and out-of-Kingdom and plans to continue the activity during his retirement. Greg and Pamela also took many trips with the Dhahran Outings Group (DOGs) as well as their own personal journeys.
Both of their children are now married and working in north Dallas, Texas. Their son, Jeffrey, works at the Texas Southwest Medical Center as a Senior Histotechnologist in the Department of Surgical Dermatology. "In other words," Greg says, "he cuts and mounts skin tissue to assist doctors diagnosing cancers." Carolyn, their daughter, is currently working in the I.T. Department of Atmos Energy as an I.T. Controls Administrator. In her job, she creates new employee accounts, updates computer access and assists in running reports as needed. Though the Starks' children were already attending university in the States when Greg was hired, they were able to make it overseas for occasional visits. Greg is grateful to Aramco that his children were given this unique opportunity to experience the world community. "Our most memorable time together was our first experience during Ramadan Iftar and Sahuur. It was truly enchanting."
This touches on a topic that is very important to Greg Stark. The best aspect of working for Aramco; the one he will miss most, was the chance to engage professionally and personally with the world community both at work and at home "on camp." "I will definitely miss my many Saudi friends and their families," he confesses. "I smile when I remember the nickname that my Saudi friends gave me - Abu Jeffrey. I view it as a very sincere compliment." He also acknowledges that the world travel will be missed as well.
Though unsure whether or not he and his wife will be able to attend the 2008 Las Vegas Annuitants Reunion, Greg plans to give it very serious consideration. He is excited by the possibility of meeting up with Aramco friends that he has not seen for quite some time. Until then, there is still plenty of unpacking to do.