Irene S. Wischer
Editor's note: This profile is part of Hart Energy's 50th anniversary Hall of Fame series honoring industry pioneers of the past 50 years and the Agents of Change (ACEs) who are leading the energy sector into the future.
Irene Wischer’s career with Panhandle Producing Co. began as an assistant corporate secretary in the late 1940s. By 1955, she became a director and secretary/treasurer of the San Antonio-based oil and gas company.
“You know how secretaries sometimes run a company?” Amy Fields, Wischer’s granddaughter, said to Hart Energy. “I think it was just a natural progression because she just knew it inside and out.”
In 1963, Wischer was elected president and CEO and spent the rest of her working life leading the independent oil producer in a career field almost completely dominated by men. She was recognized with the Chief Roughneck Award in 1992—the first and only woman to win the award until Vicki Hollub of Occidental Petroleum won it in 2019.
Irene Stimson was born in Page, Neb., in 1915. The family moved to the San Antonio area and she graduated from Harlandale High School in 1933, before attending Draughon’s Business College.
Early on, she impressed the people around her with her knowledge, dedication and energy, and it led to an opportunity at Panhandle Producing at the right time.
“First of all, she married the boss—originally,” Fields said, laughing. Irene married Earl Wischer while they were working at Panhandle. At the time, Earl was a widow with children from his previous marriage. Her husband was happy to support his wife’s upward climb.
“But, I mean, (the board) still could have had any man—she just knew that business … and I think that the board just decided that she was the one,” she said.
At the same time, Irene Wischer made the business a family affair. Her granddaughters would accompany Wischer on business trips to New York, or just visit the office in San Antonio and play secretary. She was aware of her unique role in the industry and wasn’t shy with her fashion.
“She had pink hard hats, and she wore high heels every day. Even out on a rig, she’d wear high heels,” Fields said. “She was determined to keep her femininity while she was in that world.”
Wischer spread her success and influence beyond the energy industry. She was active in Republican politics and was considered for several high-ranking federal jobs, including Secretary of the Treasury by President Richard Nixon. Wischer turned the offers down, unwilling to leave her company, Fields said.
Wischer also set her sights on helping others, focusing on Texas, church and education.
Around 2007, she asked Linda Namestnik, with Frost Bank, to help her establish a fund to help students in need earn their four-year degrees.
During the meeting, Namestnik’s eyes wandered to the office wall and she noticed a picture of Wischer standing with President Dwight Eisenhower, along with photos of her with every president since.
“I thought, ‘Oh man, what the heck am I doing here,’” Namestnik said. “I started to get very intimidated.… However, her demeanor was so gracious and so approachable and so comfortable that I very soon forgot to be intimidated.”
—Sandy Segrist, Senior Editor, Gas and Midstream