Fort Smith business leader Jim Hanna dies

In high school Jim played basketball with a very aggressive style.  He was also active in track and field events, excelling in the discus throw and shot put.  During the summer months of high school, he worked on drilling rigs, and began his education in the industry.  Jim graduated High school in 1953 where he was voted most favorite senior male.  Jim attended college at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas where he graduated with a business degree in 1957.  He had many self-created jobs in college ranging from selling cigarettes and shoes to providing laundry services to the fraternities that were on campus.  Jim is a Kappa Sigma.

In 1956, Jim Married Marcia Ballard and together they had three children; a daughter, Kimberly Lynn; and two sons, Michael Monroe;’ and William Harrison.  All of the children are involved with the family business.  Mike and Kim serve on the board while Bill runs the day to day operations of the company.

Just out of college Jim went to work as a landman for Bridwell Oil and Gas in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He worked many areas while at Bridwell, including Texas, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Arkansas.  He moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1961 to start an office for Bridwell Oil and Gas.  He left Bridwell a year later to join with a few associates to start Arkoma Basin Royalty.  The thrust of this company was to buy minerals and leases.  Arkoma dissolved in 1969 and Hanna Oil & Gas was born.  Hanna formed General Limited Partnerships in 1969, 1970 and 1971 to help finance his operation.  In 1972, Hanna drilled the Lincoln #2 well which came in as a “barnburner”.  This well was Hanna’s springboard to his goal of a successful operator.

From 1961 to 1985, Hanna Oil & Gas officed on the 7th floor of the First National Bank Building in Fort Smith.  In 1961, Hanna rented one office on the 7th floor.  By the time he left the bank building, Hanna Oil & Gas occupied the entire floor with the exception of one office.  At that point he purchased a building he named after his children, the KMW Building to house the company.  Now the company offices in the Hanna Building built to honor its founder.  Hanna Oil & Gas Company now employs over 45 people, many with over ten years of service and some with over twenty years of service.

Hanna took his success in exploration and rolled this into other business ventures.  Included are Gas Compression Services, Quick-Lay Pipe Company, Quality Completions, Quick Transports, Inc., Quick Chem all businesses that Hanna developed.  Holding true to his Hanna style, he later sold the “Quick” companies at opportune times.

After being successfully active in the Arkoma Basin, Hanna began the search for a less developed exploration area and Canada fit the mold.  In November 1987 Jim opened his offices in Calgary.  He approached Canada the same way that he has approached all his ventures, through buying leases and attempting to trade through land.  Hanna Oil & Gas – Canada is now a thriving business who is now on set to operate wells.

While developing his various business endeavors, Hanna has always maintained a commitment to the industry and to the lake profession.  He has served the Fort Smith Association of AAPL in a variety of capacities.  His faithful service to AAPL over the years has been recognized by AAPL with Citizen and Special Awards.  Jim has served as an officer of AAPL in several capacities and culminated his service as President of AAPL in 1986-1987.  Hanna continues his commitment to AAPL with his insight and financial support.

From an industry perspective, in addition to his efforts in behalf of AAPL, Hanna was a supporter of IPAA.  Also, he testified in Washington for the need of increased pipelines in the Arkoma Basin’ was appointed by the Governor of Arkansas to Co-Chair the Mineral Lease Study Committee of Arkansas in 1981; and was selected by the Governor to serve on the Arkansas Industrial Development Committee in 1982 as a delegate to Europe representing Arkansas and the Oil & Gas Industry to the European Industrial Development Mission.

Hanna has been involved in numerous community and civic activities over the years.  Included would be several terms on the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Board; Commissioner of the Fort Smith Port Authority; President and Board member of the Fort Smith Town Club where he was instrumental in the construction of the previous Town Club building in the early 70’s; President of the Fort Smith Library; member of the Fort Smith Airport Commission; supporter of the Fort Smith Girls Club; probation officer for juvenile delinquents; a board member and exceptional fund raiser for Westark Community College (now University of Arkansas at Fort Smith); a board member of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation; he established a scholarship fund at UAFS; supporter of the Boy Scouts of America; board member of the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs; and active involvement in the United Way of Fort Smith, including Chairman in 1989, when a record 1.3 million dollars was raised; board of trustees for Sparks Regional Medical Center; a member and supporter of the Fort Smith Art Center; and a board member of Harbour House, an alcohol and drug rehab center.

• Demonstrated leadership
Founder Hanna oil and gas Company
Developed Quick Transports, Inc.
Developed Quick-Lay Pipe Company
Developed Quality Completion Inc.
Developed Quik-Chem
32° Mason – 50 year mason, Masonic Lodge, Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters
Lifetime Achievement Award from FASPL in 1992

• Contribution to Profession
Served FSAPL over the years in many capacities, including President and FSAPL’s AAPL director; instrumental in developing the premier FSAPL Fall Golf Tournament which is an ongoing major fund raiser for FSAPL.  Proceeds are used to carry on FSAPL business, support the AAPL Education Foundation, support various community endeavors and to provide partial funding for the current AAPL director.
AAPL Citizen Award in 1969
AAPL Director in 1978
AAPL Special Award in 1979
AAPL Certificate of Appreciation in 1981
Instrumental in building of AAPL headquarters.  Ongoing evaluation proves consistently that building ownership is a better alternative to renting.
AAPL Citizen Award in 1982
AAPL Second Vice-President 1983-1984
AAPL First Vice-President 1985-1986
AAPL President 1986-1987
AAPL Executive Committee 1987-1989 in the capacity of past President
Certified Profession Landman
Has served on the nominating committee for AAPL
Has served on the nominating committee for IPAA
AAPL Past Presidents Council
Strong supporter of AAPL over the years

• Contribution to Industry
Testified in Washington as to the need for increased pipelines in the Arkoma Basin. Was very risky at the time for a small producer in this basin to come forward in this capacity.
Supporter of IPAA.
Member of Roustabout Club for many years.
Previously served as a director and member of the Natural Gas Committee
Appointed by the Governor of Arkansas to Co-Chair the Mineral Lease Study Committee of Arkansas in 1981
Instrumental in founding ARM (Arkansas Royalty Membership).  A charger member since inception