Samina Farid is a leading energy and technology entrepreneur in Houston and co-founder of Merrick, a global provider of software to the oil and gas industry.
Samina’s extensive experience in the energy industry spans over three decades and includes managerial and executive positions with ESSO Eastern, Inc., Pakistan, HNG/Enron, Cabot Transmission and Brooklyn Interstate Natural Gas Company. In the late 1980’s, she recognized a gap in the marketplace and began to develop software to address challenges faced by energy companies; launching Merrick Systems in 1992.
From its humble start as a home-based business, Merrick has grown to be one of the largest software development companies in Houston with offices in Oslo, Calgary, Bogota, and Singapore. Touching 20% of all oil and gas wells in the US, today Merrick is a global business focusing on operational solutions to improve production operations, extend oil and gas producing asset life, decrease lifting costs and increase production. Recognized for fast growth, business excellence and innovation, Merrick has won numerous prestigious awards including consistent rankings in the “INC. 5000”, Software Magazine’s “Software 500”, Houston Business Journal’s “Fast 100” and “Fast-Tech 50”. Additional nominations and awards include Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship’s “Most Promising IT Company” and “Most Promising Energy Technology Company”, the SME Innovation Award from Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), the Innovation Award from U.K.-based Energy Institute, “Best Technology for HSE” Award from World Oil and “Best Commercial Technology” from Platts Global Energy Awards.
Samina holds a degree in business from the University of Houston. She has been involved with Houston’s technology and business community through various local organizations including the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Technology Center, promoting job growth in Houston and helping emerging technology companies grow and prosper. She serves on the Board of the Houston Achievement Place, aiding foster children and developing social skills through Project CLASS, as well as the Advisory Board of Houston Independent School District’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. She is also an active member of the United Way of Greater Houston’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society and its Women’s Initiative. Honored by Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as one of the “2012 Breakthrough Women” and inducted to its Board, Samina was also named among Houston’s Most Influential Women in 2012 by Houston’s Woman Magazine. In 2013, Samina was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas.