LAGCOE announces LAGCOE Looey 2019 - Cornelius Dupré II
LAFAYETTE -- LAGCOE is proud to announce LAGCOE Looey 2019, Mr. Cornelius “Corny” Dupré II, chairman of Dupré Interests and Dupré Energy Services. LAGCOE Looey is an honorary position given to someone who has made great accomplishments in the oil and gas industry. LAGCOE Looey recipients have shaped the oil and gas industry through years of devoted hard work, while continuously giving back to their community. Cornelius “Corny” Dupré II is certainly no exception.
“For those who have been in this industry for any amount of time and have not come across Cornelius Dupré or his name, they likely just did not look deep enough,” said Greg Stutes, LAGCOE’s chairman of the board and completion engineering advisor of Completion Specialists, Inc. “Cornelius Dupré has most likely touched everyone’s circle of activity indirectly — if not directly — in this industry as a result of his involvement and influence from his successful oilfield career as an executive and entrepreneur with a very diverse background, as well as belonging to and supporting a great number of industry groups, boards, as well as charitable and community organizations. Cornelius Dupré is a perfect fit to be recognized and honored as LAGCOE Looey for 2019.”
Born in Port Barre, La., Cornelius “Corny” Dupré II is the second of five children by Norma Lee Dupré and John R. Dupré, a WWII veteran and career educator. After graduating from Port Barre High School, Corny headed to Baton Rouge where he attended Louisiana State University (LSU), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master’s in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor.
While attending LSU, Cornelius had various jobs. He rough-necked offshore for Kerr McGee, worked for the Louisiana Legislature and as a political consultant with Buddy Roemer (former congressman and governor). He ended up in Washington, D.C. working with the U.S. President Jimmy Carter Administration. Upon his return to Louisiana, he briefly practiced law in Eunice from 1980-1981.
In early 1982, Corny ventured into oilfield services with his brother Bernie with their first business, Dupré Supply Company. The Dupré Companies grew throughout the ‘80’s to include several companies, including Dupré Supply, Dupré Valve and Automation, Dupré Piping Products and Dupré International.
Cornelius is currently the Chairman of Dupré Interests, a private equity family office, serving in that capacity since founding the company in 2004. Additionally, he is the chairman of Dupré Energy Services, which encompasses several oil and gas service companies including KSW Oilfield Rentals, Pro-Tek Field Services and Diversified Safety and Scaffolding. He was also a founding member of EXXI, USWS and White Knight Production. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and/or has equity positions in Airis, Foundation Energy, Hoover Ferguson Group, Wellbore Fishing and Rental Tools, JVL Global Energy and Dynamic Chemical Solutions. Corny belongs to or is an active member of a number of industry organizations including: Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), American Petroleum Institute (API), Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA), Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Houston Producers Forum (HPF), American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE), Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (TAEP) and Western Energy Alliance.
Cornelius’ philanthropic activities and interests have grown alongside his business success over the years. He is an active member of and donor to multiple organizations including Spindletop Charities, Sky High for St. Jude’s, Sam Houston Area Boy Scouts of America, JDRF, Methodist Hospital, MD Anderson, The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (who named him “South Texan of the Year” in 2016), the CF Foundation (who honored him in 2014), and his own family charitable foundation, the Dupré Family Foundation. Dupré Family Foundation has supported numerous charitable causes for nearly 20 years. Additionally, Cornelius is responsible for the building of a community library in his hometown of Port Barre in honor of his father and was also pivotal in the building of the new lower school library at the Episcopal School of Acadiana in Lafayette in honor of his mother.
Corny married Vickie English of New Iberia (former Sugar Cane Festival Queen in her youth) in 1980 and they had two children together, Houston and Angèle, who were both born in Crowley while the family was living in Eunice. He has been with his present wife, Celia Hickenbotam of Shreveport for 30 years. Celia has been a huge part of Cornelius’ success as she traveled the oil patch throughout the world with him, constantly at his side, becoming known, loved and admired in her own right. They currently spend their time between Houston, the UK and their home in Colorado, where they visit as often as possible to spend time with their new granddaughter, ride horses, ski and enjoy all that the Colorado Rockies have to offer.
LAGCOE will host an event to honor Cornelius Dupré II as the 37th LAGCOE Looey in the fall as part of the kick-off of LAGCOE 2019 to be held Oct. 9-11, 2019, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La., USA. Learn more about the LAGCOE 2019 by visiting the organization's website.
