Iowa-based manufacturer SIMCO Drilling Equipment has announced the retirement of Richard Clarke, longtime director of sales and marketing, after 35 years effective at the end of May.

In a release, the company says Clarke became the face of SIMCO at hundreds of tradeshows and conferences over his tenure. His work promoting and selling the company’s line of hydraulic drill rigs took him all of the United States as well as overseas. He also had direct involvement in product design and development.

Clarke played an active role in the industry, volunteering for more than the decade on various committees and boards of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). He eventually served as chair of the Manufacturer’s Division and vice president of the group’s Executive Board. The company says one highlight of his work involved being part of the Iowa delegation to an NGWA Legislative Fly-In to Washington, D.C. The input of the fly-in was instrumental in the final push for federal tax credits for geothermal heat pump systems.

Clarke says he’ll miss the people of the industry the most, having gotten to know and work with other NGWA volunteers from the ranks of contractors, scientists, engineers, suppliers, and other manufacturers.

After graduating from Drake University with a BS/BA degree in marketing and production management, Clarke spent 10 years working for several hydraulic component manufacturing firms. During this time, he also earned an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. Later, he worked as an adjunct faculty member teaching marketing at Iowa State University and Simpson College prior to coming to SIMCO.

Clarke says he plans to golf more, and dedicate more time to his home and garden, and less time away from his wife of 49 years.

Osceola, Iowa-based SIMCO Drilling Equipment Inc. has designed, manufactured and supplied equipment to the drilling industry since 1971. While the company started in geothermal, its rigs are now used in water well, geotechnical, environmental, exploration, construction and utility work. The company says its rigs work on every continent. For more information, visit simcodrill.com or email info@simcodrill.com.