Keith G. Holliday President
“The strong leadership team here at GDS is propelling us to the next level. We are preparing for the challenges of tomorrow with successful strategies for continuous improvements to the Top Drive industry and the drilling world. Although Top Drives will always be our primary focus, GDS is growing and will soon be able to offer our customers complimentary equipment for DC to AC rig upgrades and seamless integrations into their drilling systems.“
In his role as President of GDS, Keith Holliday brings more than 19 years experience in the oil and gas industry to the company, as well as an unparalleled level of expertise and understanding of top drives.
As founder of GDS in 2008, Keith primarily manages the growth of the business, while cultivating new business opportunities for the organization, both domestically and internationally. A proven leader with the management experience to back it up, Keith brings a level of experience and consultative expertise not often found in the oil and gas equipment industry.
Prior to founding GDS, Keith was Country / General Manager for Nabors Drilling International, Kazakhstan Branch, where he developed and maintained regional drilling infrastructure in remote parts of the country. At Nabors, he also served as Worldwide Maintenance Manager.
Prior to Nabors, he was with Canrig Drilling Technology, where he was involved with field operations and applications engineering, with responsibilities that encompassed training, installation, development of prototype hardware, and troubleshooting.
Paul A. Nicholson Senior Vice President
“Our customers are the best part of GDS. Their quest for continuous improvement is what drives me.”
With more than 19 years in the oil and gas industry in roles ranging from Electrician to International Top Drive Sales Manager, Paul Nicholson brings a unique technical perspective to the GDS business, worldwide.
This broad spectrum of experience directly benefits customers of GDS today, as Paul is able to offer expertise to every aspect of the oil and gas drilling equipment business: field operations, engineering, mechanical/electrical maintenance and repair, equipment testing, and troubleshooting for top drives. Paul takes pride in providing the highest level of customer service and satisfaction; the number one priority within the GDS team.
Prior to joining GDS in 2009, Paul was a Sales Manager with Canrig Drilling Technology in Magnolia, Texas. There, he was responsible for new customer development and maintenance for a majority of the major drilling contractors across the world. He was also SR Coordinator and Assistant Manager for Field Operations at Canrig, scheduling and overseeing field service operations and customer service domestically and internationally.
PJ Pendlebury Vice President, Sales & Marketing
PJ brings over 15 years of experience in the oil & gas industry, 5 of those exclusively in the Russian oil & gas service market. He is also a high performing sales and operational executive with expertise in building organizational processes, management systems and infrastructure which maximize business and customer operating objectives for worldwide oil and gas service markets. PJ is a skilled strategist who transforms plans into workable solutions and benchmarks performance against key operational targets and goals.
Prior to joining GDS in 2013, PJ was the Regional Manager for Russia and CIS with Tesco Corporation in Moscow, Russia. He started his oilfield service career as an electrical field service technician working around the world supporting customer top drive equipment, then later moving to Houston, Texas, Aberdeen, Scotland and Tyumen, Russia in operational management roles.
Gavin Thompson Vice President of Operations, Middle East
“Jobs are either 100% right or 100% wrong. There is no in between.”
As Vice President of Operations in the Middle East, Gavin brings over 20 years of Oil & Gas Industry experience, with 16 of those years directly overhauling and managing top drive recertifications. Gavin has worked throughout the MENA region since 2003 and established our Middle East division in 2012 and has built a very strong, self-sufficient business which has seen continued growth and expansion to all aspects of our business. With a handpicked field service team, his drive for excellence has accelerated GDS Middle East as a recognized industry leader for top drive repair.
Prior to joining GDS, Gavin was the top drive Product Line Manager for Tesco Corporation in the MENA region. During his 10 year tenure he held key roles ranging from Service Technician, Field Service Supervisor, Shop Manager and Operations Manager. He started his career with Foremost Industries where he worked on various types of drilling rigs and international field service. Gavin holds a heavy duty mechanics license with a Red Seal in Canada and has used his trade skills to work in over 25 countries worldwide.