Who am I?

My name is Richard Finken.  As a person concerned with energy development, I have been following the Macpherson case for several years with a personal and professional interest.  I thought the E&B proposal to put the case before the citizens of Hermosa Beach in a vote offered a good opportunity to fully understand the potential benefits of the project and discuss how the project would impact the City. 

I grew up in Manhattan Beach and learned to swim at the pool in the old Hermosa Biltmore Hotel on the Strand.  I delivered the Daily Breeze to customers between 32nd street and Rosecrans below Highland.  Our family physician, Dr. Anderson, practiced from an office above the old Hermosa Theater. Following graduation from Mira Costa in 1961, I earned BS and MS degrees in petroleum engineering from USC in 1966 and 1968.  Following a fulfilling career, I retired from engineering and management positions with Texaco in 1999 and the City of Long Beach Department of Oil properties in 2010.  I now live in Redondo Beach and occasionally provide consulting services.

Up front, I am not a resident of Hermosa Beach, I have done consulting work for E&B in the past and may do more in the future, some of which may relate to this project.  I am pro-development and believe that natural resources should be developed safely and responsibly.  I have worked in the oil industry since 1964.

I plan, from time to time, to update this blog with new posts about oil production issues as they relate to E&B’s proposed project.

Richard Finken, PE

August 10, 2013