This special edition opened my eyes to the countless men and women who have drilled deep and given back, passing the torch from generation to generation. Their example produced hard-working, difference-making communities that welcome opportunity with excitement and face opposition with perseverance.

It is unlikely that the oil and gas pioneers knew just how far-reaching their influence would be. They were simply pursuing a deep-seated belief and a healthy dose of hope in something not yet discovered. Belief and hope produced an unwavering faith that despite days, months, and sometimes years of being short on results, success would eventually bubble to the foreground.

While many in our community do not work in oil and gas, the success of this industry has flowed to every one of us. Thousands of modern-day luxuries in the United States are made from refined oil. In the Permian Basin, job opportunities and philanthropic efforts by families and businesses continue to shape our region. From oilfield positions to support services and education to infrastructure, our way of life would be drastically different without oil and gas.

The development of this special edition was truly a community effort. With a record number of contributors, we wanted to capture many perspectives of the rich history, current impact, and future possibilities. Thank you to the writers, contributors, advertisers, and readers. You are the bedrock of our community.

Centennials remind us that groundbreaking efforts today are cracking open doors for the trailblazers tomorrow. They provide perspective as we look back, learning from those who took risks that defined not only a community but also an industry. We preserve their legacy by meeting challenges head-on and forging new paths into the next century.

To the 100 years of way makers and innovators, we stand on your shoulders at the precipice of what has only just begun.

Allyson Joy
Associate Publisher