In 2005, Ralph Baird, a Texas based oil and gas geophysicist, was called by the Harris County Texas Sheriff to assist Texas EquuSearch to add new technologies to volunteer search cases. Ralph is an advocate for families of missing loved ones; he has conducted numerous searches using state-of-the art methods that he applied from his oil and gas exploration successes. He serves Texas EquuSearch as a director and as technical advisor. Ralph graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1971, and worked for ConocoPhillips and Fairfield Industries before founding Baird Petrophysical International in 1978, and co-founding PetroDevelopment Partners in 2008. Ralph served on the board of directors of the International Year of Planet Earth, a UN/UNESCO supported initiative aimed at education of youth about Earth science and is now senior advisor for its successor organization Earth Science Matters Foundation, based in The Netherlands. The Petroleum History Institute presented Ralph Baird with its highest honor, the Edwin L. Drake Legendary Oilman Award for 2011.

Baird also applies his experience in GIS mapping, underwater sonar searching, field planning and supervision, data collection and analysis, data interpretation and reports in his work with Texas EquuSearch, a technology search and recovery team that started in August 2000 to provide volunteer horse mounted search and recovery for lost and missing persons and with Baird’s help and guidance, now utilizes oilfield methods and technology to find missing loved ones. He believes in the EquuSearch motto, “Lost Is Not Alone.” Families that contact Texas EquuSearch know what this means.

Baird has conducted numerous searches with Texas EquuSearch, including the well-known search for Alabama teen Natalie Holloway in Aruba, using geophysical instruments and methods such as a side scan sonar, ground penetration radar, model aircraft/drone photography and exigent requests to access and interpret cell tower data and FAA radar data in hot-shot emergency surveys and research/training surveys. (Excerpted from GEO ExPro Magazine, 2012)