Themig’s work in energy field earns E&Y’s ‘entrepreneur of year’ award

Vandalia native Dan Themig's oil and gas company was named Canada's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009.
Themig, who was one of the three founders of Packers Plus Energy Services Inc., now serves as president of the company.
He is the son of Ed and Lela Themig of Vandalia. His parents attended the award ceremony in Vancouver, Canada.
Packers Plus Energy Services is an Alberta-based company that created revolutionary drilling technology to change the way that oil and gas are extracted – increasing the amount of recoverable oil and natural gas from reserves not accessible by traditional drilling methods.
"By challenging traditional thinking, Packers Plus has developed and proven brilliant new technology that is profoundly changing Canada's energy sector," said Colleen McMorrow, national director of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. "As this year's winners, they showed a remarkable level of entrepreneurial spirit, and have established what's sure to be a lasting impact on their industry."
Before forming Packers Plus in 2000, Dan Themig and his two partners all worked for multinational oil companies. Now, with nearly 400 employees, the company is expanding globally – with offices in several countries around the world.
"Entrepreneurs see the world differently from most people, and Packers Plus is no exception," said McMorrow. "They seek out opportunity in the unlikeliest of economic conditions, and take calculated risks to grow despite the challenging environment."
After winning the Canadian award last fall, Packers Plus competed for the international entrepreneur award in June in Monte Carlo.
Packers Plus was among 43 competitors for the title of world  entrepreneur of the year. The award, however, was won by another company.