I managed to keep Renee Miller Helmer sitting still long enough talking about family, faith, Parkinson's, directional drilling, the Permian, Cajun cooking, whiskey, entrepreneurship, the Gulf Coast and why the strongest relationships in oil and gas need more people face to face. Her story did not start with an executive title. In 1994, Renee was teaching eighth grade religion at Our Lady of Fatima School in Lafayette when she entered oilfield sales. She later met Richard Helmer of Helmer Directional Drilling, became a wife and stepmother on the same day, and spent the next eighteen years raising their family. Richard's Parkinson's diagnosis in 2016 changed their lives, and by 2018 Renee was back inside Helmer Directional in an executive and business role, learning mud motors, MWD, well planning, BHAs, torque and angle building so she could represent the company credibly. From there, in her words, she “drove my happy ass to Midland by myself.” West Texas added another layer to her education. Technical knowledge mattered, but so did mentors, meals, rig cookouts, showing up repeatedly and earning the right to have a conversation. Renee talks about building her own table in the Permian and using that table to explain why Helmer's directional drilling experience in Louisiana and the Gulf could have value in West Texas. That work grew from surface opportunities into intermediate work and three full well pads. COVID forced another reinvention. Renee built Helmer OPS, a business development consulting firm focused on new technology, rebranding companies and helping startups get grounded in real customer relationships. She also launched What Will Renee Say Today?, a podcast born from a season when she did not need another person telling her how strong she was. She needed empathy, understanding and somewhere honest to talk about what life had become. That honesty is why this conversation is worth watching. Renee says “the oil field will humble you,” and that it can make you “drill deep within yourself to find your black gold.” She is talking about family, grief, caregiving, faith, leadership, rebuilding and finding abilities you did not know you had until life required them. On September 23 at Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mrs-helmers-whiskey-wednesday-tickets-1998249096840 Watch the full Talking Energy / Oilfield Tailgate conversation, then find What Will Renee Say Today? and follow what Renee is building next. ReneeHelmer.com #OilfieldTailgate #TalkingEnergy #ReneeHelmer #OilGas #Energy