After graduating from MMA, Chris Schafer '89 earned his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.  

“Right out of MMA, I moved out on my own and put myself through college,” Schafer said. “I would never have been able to do that without the self-discipline that I learned at MMA.” 
 
Post-graduation, Schafer began working for Halliburton, one of the world’s largest oilfield service companies in the world. After 18 years of service he was promoted to global director for integrated solutions. Among his accomplishments during his tenure, Schafer nearly doubled Halliburton's Alaska operations from $120 million to $220 million and played a major role in facilitating Halliburton to be the first oilfield service company to be accredited by the Cambridge Center for Behavior Studies.  

Schafer went on to work for Apex Resources, an oilfield chemical company focused on engineered fluid solutions for oilfield stimulation, where he was eventually promoted to vice president of operations and sales.  

Schafer credits his success to what he learned at MMA – in tribute, he serves as secretary of the MMA Alumni Board of Directors and as a visiting professor with hopes of inspiring other cadets to take an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) studies.  

“It is simple supply and demand,” he said. “Those in my generation have grown up in a society with astronomical technological advancements, but there aren’t enough STEM graduates to meet current demand in industry. Year on year, the top 10 highest-paying jobs right out of college are all in the STEM fields.” 

Chris Schafer's MMA yearbook photo. 

Learn more about other notable alumni.