Munib R. Masri, a geologist educated at the University of Texas at Austin (BSc in Petroleum Geology, 1955) and Sul Ross University (MSc in Government and Geology, 1956), founded Edgo with his wife Angela in 1956. Together, they began with hydrogeology consulting and water well drilling, laying the foundation for Edgo’s growth into the largest regional contractor in this field.

Angela, born in Lubbock, Texas, attended high school in Wink where she graduated as valedictorian. Following in the footsteps of her father, George Everett Kegler, a seasoned oilfield engineer for Conoco and Humble Oil (later ExxonMobil), she studied geology.

After marrying Munib, the couple drove to New York and set sail on the Swedish freighter Concordia to Beirut. After two months at sea and overland, they arrived in Amman, Jordan, where they began geological mapping of Jordan and Palestine.

In parallel to founding Edgo, Munib worked with E.W. Pauley of Phillips Petroleum. At just 28, he became President of Phillips in Algeria and later President of Operations for the Middle East and North Africa, overseeing 16 countries. He was also sent by Phillips on a brief assignment as a junior geologist to Norway’s Ekofisk field, one of the largest oil fields in the North Sea, discovered in 1969, which became a cornerstone of Norway’s petroleum industry and a major contributor to Europe’s energy supply.

Under his leadership, Edgo expanded geographically into the Arabian Peninsula and became the most reputable water well drilling contractor in the region. By the 1970s and 80s, Edgo had diversified into oil, gas, and power, delivering construction and technical support services.

Beyond Edgo, Munib served as Vice Chairman of the Arab Bank for 33 years, was a board member of the Oman Arab Bank and Arab Bank (Switzerland) and chaired the Arab Tunisian Bank. In 1978, he helped establish the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the Arab Bank’s philanthropic arm.

He co-founded the Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) in 1993, which launched Paltel and the Palestine Securities Exchange. In 2010, he co-founded the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Palestine and served as chairman. He was also a member of the Council of Advisers of the World Bank Middle East and North Africa.

In 2015, Munib was inducted into the Hall of Distinction at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas, the only Arab to receive this honor.

He is Honorary Chairman of Taawon (Welfare Association), which he co-founded in 1983, and was elected in 2025 to serve as the first Chair of the Taawon Sustainability Council. He is also Trustee Emeritus of the American University of Beirut and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Quds University in Jerusalem.

Munib and Angela’s philanthropic work through their foundation has preserved heritage, fostered education, and promoted research. Their legacy is measured not only in corporate milestones but in the positive changes they have ignited in communities and their enduring commitment to sustainable practices.