Debbie Quick left Alaska in 1997 for adventure and new challenges. A 1989 graduate of East Anchorage High School, Quick had the distinction of being the first administrative assistant to be transferred by Nabors Industries to its administrative offices in Houston, Texas.
Nine years later, Quick is thriving as a senior associate of corporate development. The witty 35-year-old does everything from accompanying industry analysts and investors around a Nabors drilling rig to drafting presentations for audiences on Wall Street and West Coast road shows in cities such as San Francisco. She also helps to craft the company’s annual report.
“When I was approached about a transfer to Houston, I was scared to death,” says Quick. “I knew it would be a huge learning curve, but an opportunity to grow as well. I’ve been here almost 10 years and I love it!”
Still, the road to investor relations at Nabors took a few twists and turns.
Quick started out working in domestic operations for former Alaskan Gene Beck, along with two Nabors vice presidents and another executive who managed the company’s exploration subsidiary.
Investor relations a good fit
“I was not intimidated to try working in different areas in order to figure out what I was going to be good at,” she explained. “Our chairman, Gene Isenberg, suggested investor relations might be a good fit.”
It turned out he was right.
“Debbie has been a tremendous asset to Nabors throughout her career,” said Isenberg. “Her charisma and outgoing nature constantly project a very vibrant and positive image of not only herself, but of Nabors as she interacts with our shareholders, vendors, the business community and her fellow employees. These valuable characteristics are further augmented by her intellect and common sense approach to every aspect of her responsibilities.”
One of Quick’s many career highlights came recently when she was allowed to attend the bell ringing at the New York Stock Exchange when Nabors switched over from the American Stock Exchange.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Quick confided.
For fun, the former Alaskan said she spends her leisure time hanging out with friends, shopping, attending Pilates classes and traveling. New York and San Francisco are two of her favorite destinations, but she will always call Alaska home.
“I try to schedule trips back home to visit family and friends at least a few times a year, she said. “I get homesick for Alaska’s beauty and still get excited when I see a moose in the yard.”
