Originally operating a residential construction business in Rockdale, Texas, Miller and Kathie Bassler investigated other opportunities following a decline in the building industry. Miller’s early interest in the oil and gas business had been sparked thanks to Kathie’s roots in Morgan City, Louisiana. Intrigued with the business, Miller talked with scores of people and asked many questions. When an oil boom reached their backyard in the Austin Chalk, Miller answered the calling. His observations revealed that all the wells were changing to pump jacks that had to be positioned on concrete base foundations. Since he knew how to build home foundations, Miller decided he could build pump jack bases. He hired a man knowledgeable in erecting pumping units, bought a pole truck on credit at the bank, and the rest, as they say, is history.