Gray Wireline Service has appointed Mark Harris as president and chief executive officer, effective, July 13, 2009. Harris will succeed Jim Meneely, Gray's interim CEO, and Meneely will remain active with the company, serving as Gray Wireline's vice chairman of the board of directors.

Harris has over 29 years of experience in the wireline industry, where he has both led business units of a large integrated firm and managed the rapid growth of an independent wireline company. Most recently, he has held leadership positions with Baker Atlas in business development, geoscience, and training. Harris has an extensive sales and marketing background, having successfully developed and executed several sales and marketing based strategic plans. Additionally, Harris led the sales and marketing efforts for Wedge Energy Group for over six years in the mid-1990s, during which time that company's sales quadrupled.

"I am honored to become the CEO of Gray Wireline," said Harris. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with my new colleagues and the board of directors to lead this company successfully into the future. We have a lot to do, but I’m intensely focused on guiding Gray Wireline through this unprecedented period of volatility and positioning the company for future growth."

"We are very pleased that Mark is joining Gray as the company's president and CEO," said Scott Perekslis, chairman of Gray's board of directors. "He brings to Gray a powerful combination of leadership ability, domestic and international wireline experience, and strategic vision. His track record of success at driving growth in both good and poor markets, for both large and independent companies, augurs well for Gray's future. We expect that the benefits of his leadership will be enjoyed by all of Gray's constituents -- in particular, the company's highly valued employees and customers."

"Jim Meneely has done an outstanding job during his tenure as interim CEO," continued Perekslis. "The board deeply appreciates Jim's exceptional leadership over the last several months and we look forward to working with Jim in his new role of vice chairman of the board and continuing to benefit from his perspective and strategic insights."

"Mark is the ideal person to be the next CEO of Gray, and I couldn't be more delighted that he will lead this company," Meneely said. "Mark is a well-respected business executive both inside and outside the company. His results-oriented management style and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as he drives growth at Gray. Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated the capacity to generate industry-leading performance, whether measured in terms of financial or operational success. Mark has my full support, and I am confident that he will deliver a new era of growth for Gray."

Tags: Gray Wireline Service, Inc.