Arthaud Awarded University of Mary's First Virtuous Leadership Award

Jim Arthaud started a three employee company in 1979 called MBI Energy Services. That company quickly became well known in the Bakken and quickly grew to become the largest independent oil field service provider in the Williston Basin. MBI is headquartered in Belfield but has locations across North Dakota, Colorado and Wyoming.

The leadership exemplified by Arthaud to grow a company to that magnitude and his involvement on state and local boards is part of the reason that he was awarded in Bismarck on Tuesday.

Arthaud was recognized by the University of Mary with its very first Virtuous Leadership Award at a special luncheon ceremony.

"I can't think of a better, more respected businessman and entrepreneur to receive this first Virtuous Leadership Award from the University of Mary," said John Warford, dean of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business at Mary in a press release. "Jim's passion for his workers, his state and his faith, exemplifies what the Gary Tharaldson School of Business is all about-that business can be a force for good."

Arthaud and his brother Jody Arthaud, senior vice president, fluid management operations, announced their retirement from MBI in August.

Arthaud's mentality through his time as CEO and founder was to always push forward.

"There are two ways to operate during a downturn," said Arthaud. "You can manage, or you can lead. We lead through the downturn."

Since Arthaud's founding and leadership as CEO of the company, MBI has made several acquisitions to position itself as a broad-based oilfield service company, augmenting its hauling business with service rigs, wireline units, a fishing and rentals business, oil tools, well-site supervisors, hot oil trucks and a crane business.

While Arthaud might technically be retired, he isn't taking things slowly.

He has now set his sites on a new business venture by starting McKenzie Energy Partners, LLC, based in Watford City. He has teamed with leaders from his previous ventures to offer expertise in water management solutions in the Williston Basin, while adhering to their core values as stewards of the land and the environment they love. Arthaud formed the company to provide experienced engineering to design produced water gathering systems and disposal solutions with leak detection and control systems that follow industry best practices.