The mission of US Oil & Gas Association (USOGA) is to promote national public policy that supports exploration and production for the domestic oil and natural gas industry.
USOGA is unique among oil & gas associations. Formed in October 1917, USOGA has been the industry’s successful advocate in Washington, D.C. and in State Capitols for over 100 years. Cooperating under common by-laws established in 1917, USOGA is located in Washington, D.C. and has four affiliated associations:
USOGA is dedicated to educating the public, policymakers, and legislators at the federal state and local levels about the value of domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production to enhancing national security and economic vitality.
USOGA, in its entirety, represents over 5,000 members. Members with diverse interests and numerous corporate identities from the smallest producers to the largest, from public companies to individual or family owned. But they unite under USOGA’s flag with a common goal to do what’s best for all.
US Oil & Gas Association
Anderson Oil Ltd.
Scott Anderson graduated from The University of Texas with a B.S. in petroleum engineering in 1980. He then started work at Anderson Oil, opening and managing the company’s Appalachian Basin office in Lexington, Kentucky from 1981-1985. Following that, he moved to Houston, where he continues to co-manage all Anderson Oil assets with his brothers today.
Anderson is a past chairman of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, serves on the advisory board of Memorial Hermann’s Children’s Hospital and is on the board of the Post Oak (Trotter) YMCA.
Andress Oil & Gas
Thurmon Andress has over 45 years of executive experience in the oil and gas industry and is currently President and CEO of Andress Oil & Gas. Andress is a member of All-American Wildcatters and serves on the National Petroleum Council. He attended TCU and earned a B.S. in Geology from Texas Tech University.
Strand Energy, LLC Manager and President
Kent Brock received a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. He has 34 years of diversified experience in most of the major producing areas of the United States as well as several international areas.
Mr. Brock started his career with Mesa Petroleum Company where he gained experience in operations, reservoir engineering, and development geology in the Rocky Mountains, mid-continent and offshore Gulf of Mexico.
In 1983, Mr. Brock left Mesa for a position with Harvard Petroleum Company in Roswell, New Mexico. While at Harvard, he handled operations, reservoir engineering, and project evaluations with a focus on the Permian Basin.
In May 1986, Mr. Brock joined IP Petroleum Company in Houston as Senior Petroleum Engineer. His primary responsibility was the evaluation of drilling prospects and acquisition opportunities for the company.
Mr. Brock was named Exploration Manager in 1987 after developing the geological concept that led to a significant discovery in West Texas.
In 1988, Mr. Brock formed and became president of Strand Energy, Inc. Since this time, he has been active in prospect generation, operations and evaluation of acquisition opportunities for Strand as well as other industry companies. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas; and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Houston Geological Society, SIPES and IPAA.
Chord Energy
President & CEO and Director
Danny Brown serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Member of Chord Energy. Mr. Brown has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry, having spent his career with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (or one of its predecessors), until Anadarko was acquired by Occidental Petroleum in 2019.
Mr. Brown began his career with Anadarko in 2006 upon the acquisition of Kerr-McGee Corporation. He held positions of increasing responsibility with Anadarko and Kerr-McGee throughout his career in U.S. onshore and Gulf of Mexico segments, as well as internationally. He served as Vice President of Corporate Planning, Vice President of Operations (Southern and Appalachia), Senior Vice President and then Executive Vice President of International and Deepwater Operations, and Executive Vice President for U.S. Onshore Operations.
Mr. Brown was director of Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (NYSE: WGP) and Western Gas Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) from 2017 to 2019. After the 2019 simplification of those two MLPs, he served on the board of Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) until August 2019, when the Anadarko-Occidental transaction was completed. Since 2020, Mr. Brown has served on the board of the private equity-backed exploration and production company, Beacon Offshore Energy LLC, which is focused on the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Brown also served as Board Chair of the general partner of Oasis Midstream Partners LP from 2021 to 2022.
Mr. Brown is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Rice University, where he was a Jones Scholar Award recipient.
Arena Offshore
Kevin Bruce joined Arena Offshore in 2021, arriving with a significant track record of legal, regulatory, and communications experience across the energy sector. Most recently, he directed government and public affairs for Fieldwood Energy, developing strategic efforts from the ground up to support the company’s commercial and operational priorities. Mr. Bruce is also the co-founder and executive director of the Gulf Energy Alliance, a coalition of leading independent offshore oil and natural gas producers in the US Gulf of Mexico whose mission is to support policies and regulations that encourage investment, innovation, and job creation for the offshore oil and gas industry. Before Fieldwood, he was the regional director of state affairs at America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), where he worked to grow natural gas markets across eleven states. He is a frequent panelist and speaker at energy industry events and a board member of numerous legal and energy sector professional organizations. Mr. Bruce was also a senior government and regulatory affairs advisor at Encana Corporation and an attorney at Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith in New Orleans. He began his career in Washington, D.C., serving as a legislative assistant. He earned his JD at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center of Louisiana State University and holds a BA in history and public policy from Southern Methodist University.
Mewbourne Oil Company
Mr. Buckley is the Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Mewbourne Oil Company where he has worked for the past 31 years. Prior to joining Mewbourne, Mr. Buckley was employed with Mercantile Bank (MBank) and its successors in Dallas, Texas, as a loan officer, and briefly as an Investment Representative with Rauscher Pierce Refsnes. He graduated in 1984 with a BA in economics from The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
Pruet Companies
Rick was born and raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in Finance and Banking. He has been a co-owner and Manager of Pruet Oil Company LLC and related entities since 1978. He is past Chairman of US Oil & Gas Association, Mississippi/Alabama Division, past Chairman of the US Oil & Gas Association in Washington, D.C., and currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is past President of the Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen and currently serves on the Interstate Compact Commission. Mr. Calhoon resides in Jackson, Mississippi with his wife, Ann. They have 3 daughters and four grandchildren.
Alex B. Campbell V is an owner/shareholder and Vice President of Land, Legal, Regulatory and HES at Enduring Resources, LLC. A Colorado native, Alex earned his BA/BS and MBA from Colorado State University. During his 45 years as a petroleum land manager, Alex has been an active member of numerous professional organizations, is a Life Member of the Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen, and was the recipient of the 1996 Landman of the Year award. He has been an active member of the RMMLF and serves as the DAPL/RMMLF Landman Trustee. Alex is Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Western Energy Alliance, serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association and is the Vice Chairman for the Independent Producers Association of New Mexico. During his distinguished Land career, Alex has been a member of the Board of Directors and Owner of Esenjay Exploration, Inc., Aspect Energy, LLC, and Core Resources, LLC. Alex is an expert in federal and state regulatory issues, as well as the entire range of land management challenges that accompany acquisitions, divestitures and active unconventional drilling programs in the Rocky Mountain region.
The Railroad Commission of Texas
A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016.
Since taking office, Commissioner Christian has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) as the Official Representative of Texas. The IOGCC is one of the oldest and largest interstate compacts in the nation, formed over 80 years ago when several states joined together to resolve common issues in the industry without federal intervention.
Christian graduated from high school as valedictorian and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.B.A. in General Business in 1973. After college, Christian found success in the music industry with his country/gospel band, the Mercy River Boys and went on to be finalist for a Grammy Award in 1979.
In 1987, after gaining valuable experience in business, banking and real estate, Wayne Christian opened a financial services business – he is a three-time AIG top advisor nationwide.
In 1996, Christian was elected to the House of Representatives as the first Republican elected from Deep East Texas since Reconstruction after the Civil War. During his time in the House, Christian was a leader for the conservative renaissance in the State of Texas and successfully assisted in the fight to elect a Republican majority in the Texas Legislature.
Christian served as Vice-Chair of Regulated Industries and as a multi-term member of the Energy Resource Committee. On these committees, he had direct oversight of the Railroad Commission and accumulated a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations.
Christian will continue to fight to ensure the public is protected from bad actors and that all decisions are consistent and predictable to give a sense of certainty to the thousands of business owners and operators who regularly deal with the Railroad Commission. All regulations should be based on sound science and not speculation.
Pitts Oil Company, LLC
Allen Custard is President of Pitts Oil Company, LLC, a privately held oil & gas exploration company founded by Allen’s grandfather, L. Frank Pitts. Prior to rejoining Pitts in late 2011, Allen held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategic Planning at PlainsCapital Corporation, a financial holding company with assets of $6 billion at the time. He joined PlainsCapital in 2009, following its acquisition and merger with FirstSouthwest Company where he was a shareholder, a managing director and head of corporate finance since 2002. Prior to joining FirstSouthwest, he was a banker in New York at Merrill Lynch in the leveraged finance group and at Chase Manhattan Bank, in the structured finance and high yield bond groups. He held FNRA licenses as a General Securities Principal (Series 24), a Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63), and a General Securities Representative (Series 7). From 1989 to 1996, he worked for PMC Reserve Acquisition Company in Dallas, Texas, a fund of institutional capital that acquired oil and gas properties, the general partner co-owned by Pitts Oil and EnCap Investments. He was a Vice President and principal of PMC.
In addition to the Board of Directors of the US Oil & Gas Association, Allen serves on the National Petroleum Council. He is chairman of the board of the Dallas Wildcat Committee. He also serves on the Town of Highland Park Finance & Audit Advisory Committee. Previously, he served on the board of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, the Dallas Petroleum Club, the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, the Harvard Club of Dallas, the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Dallas Theater Center. He served on the President’s 21st Century Council of Southern Methodist University. He was a director of the Episcopal School of Dallas from 2011 to 2017 and served as vice chairman of the board of directors and chairman of the advancement and audit committees. In 2007, he served on the board of directors of Vueling Airlines, S.A., a publicly traded, low-cost airline headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.
Allen is married to Mason Smith Custard of Roanoke, Virginia, and they reside in Dallas, Texas with their three children. He holds an A.B. in History from Duke University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. In his spare time, he is an amateur polo player, sportsman, and sometimes rancher.
USOGA Chair
Halliburton, Director of Government Affairs
Todd has over 20 years of experience managing Government Affairs, business development and community outreach programs in the upstream oil and gas and energy technology sectors. Currently, Todd is the Director of Government Affairs for Halliburton based in Houston, Texas, where he manages local, state and federal legislative and regulatory issues as well as international affairs.
Prior to Halliburton, Todd served as VP of Business Development and Government Affairs with Purestream Technology, a water services and treatment company focused on the oil and gas and power generation industries. Before joining Purestream, Todd served as Director of Policy and Government Affairs for Devon Energy for nearly 11 years.
Todd holds a degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Wyoming.
Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association
Tommy Faucheux is President of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association (LMOGA). He has extensive experience managing state government affairs and policy matters. Faucheux previously worked as Director of State Government Affairs for The Dow Chemical Company where he was responsible for government affairs for Dow’s Southeast Region in the United States and provided strategic public affairs support to Dow Louisiana facilities.
Faucheux is Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Greater New Orleans, Inc. In addition, he has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), on the board of the Public Affairs Research Council and held positions on the American Chemistry Council’s State Affairs Committee, and St. Charles Parish Economic Development Council. Faucheux previously served as Chairman of the GNO, Inc. NextGen Council and as a member of the Board of Directors for both the Southeast Louisiana Red Cross Board and River Region Chamber of Commerce. He is a 2009 graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute and was recently named one of the Top 20 Rising Talents in the petrochemical industry in Louisiana by the Baton Rouge Business Report.
A native of Louisiana, Faucheux received a bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations with a minor in Political Science in 2002 from Loyola University in New Orleans. He lives in Luling with his wife Mitzi and two children, Camdyn and Cade.
Coterra Enegy, VP of Government Affairs
Stephen A. Flaherty is Vice President, Government Affairs at Coterra Energy, bringing extensive experience in government and external affairs within the energy sector.
Stephen’s background demonstrates a focus on government and external affairs, particularly within the oil and gas industry. At Cabot Oil & Gas, they served as Vice President, Government & External Affairs, preceded by a role as Director, Government & External Affairs. Their responsibilities included managing external relations and contributing to the company’s government affairs strategies.
Prior to Cabot Oil & Gas, Stephen was Director, State & Local Government Affairs at Halliburton, where they focused on government relations at the state and local levels. Earlier in their career, Stephen held the position of Director, Government Relations at Noble Midstream Partners. Their tenure at Western Midstream Partners included roles as Manager, Government Affairs and Media Relations Representative, demonstrating versatile expertise in both government and public communications.
Earlier in their career, Stephen served as Director, Campaign Operations at Citizens for a Sound Economy, and contributed to campaign operations at the Republican National Committee, supporting congressional campaigns and researching voting records and campaign finance reports.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Strome College of Business and a Bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University. They graduated from Wellesley High School.
Murphy Oil Corporation
Frank Garcia, Senior Vice President – Development and HSE, is based in Houston, Texas. Frank is responsible for Murphy’s global offshore developments, global HSE and global planning and performance organizations.
Frank joined Murphy in August of 2008 in El Dorado, Arkansas and transferred to Houston, Texas in June 2011. Frank has 16 years of industry experience and has held technical and leadership roles with increasing responsibilities in Murphy’s global upstream business units.
Frank received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and Program for Leadership Development certification from Harvard Business School.
Copestone, Inc.
Native of Louisiana. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Economics from Louisiana State University in 1967. United States Army service after college. Experience includes management, sales, and governmental affairs. Knowledge of environmental law and oil & gas regulatory affairs.
Pruet Companies
Randy grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas, graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennesse, and then graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1972. Beginning at the age of 19, he worked for three summers for various drilling contractors while attending the University. Following graduation, he went to work for Chelsey Pruet Drilling Company as a roughneck and worked up to the position of a toolpusher (Rig Supervisor). He served as a toolpusher for three years before moving to Jackson in 1976 to become manager of drilling operations for Pruet and Hughes Company. As manager of drilling operations, he has personally supervised the drilling of well over 500 oil and gas wells of various depth and pressures, many of which resulted in discoveries for various Pruet entities. This number does not represent his involvement in wells drilled by either Chelsey Pruet drilling Company or RAPAD Drilling Company.
Randy serves as Presidnet of RAPAD Drilling Company, President of Pruet Production Company, and a Managing Partner of Pruet Oil Company. He he has served as Chairman of US Oil & Gas Association (USOGA) in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Board of the IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors), where he previously served as Secretary/Treasurer. He has served as a Board Member of Deposit Guaranty National Bank, Deposit Guaranty Corporation and is presently serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the First Commercial Bank in Jackson. He also served as a Board Member of Millsaps College since 1984. He is a Board member and Past Chair of the Andrew Jackson Concil of the Boy Scouts.
He has served as Finance Chairman in the State of Mississippi for several Presidential Candidates and has served on various committees and the board of Christ United Methodist Church, where he and Paula are members. He is married to Paula James and they have three sons and ten grandchildren.
Killam Companies
David Killam is the Managing Partner of Killam Companies which encompasses Killam Oil Company. Killam Oil is an operator in the State of Texas and through a subsidiary in the State of Louisiana.
David graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1974 and graduated from a one-year program in Ranch Management at TCU in 1975. He joined the company in June 1975.
David has been involved in all facets of exploration, development, and production issues at the company, and he approves all drilling and major workover operations.
Goldston Oil Corporation
Walter G. “Tad” Mayfield is an owner, director, and president of Goldston Oil Corporation, a Houston-based, family oil and gas exploration and production company that was founded in the 1930s. Goldston Oil Corporation is the General Partner of Goldston Realty, Ltd. After receiving a B.S. degree in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas, he began working as an engineer for Goldston Oil Corporation. Goldston manages the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves and has production in Montana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Canada, with the majority of production being in Texas.
Mayfield is very active with community involvement as a board member and former chairman of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, a board member and past chair of the US Oil & Gas Association, trustee, and past chair of the Board of Trustees for the Kinkaid School – a K-12 grade independent day school in Houston founded in 1906. Mayfield is a current University of Texas at Austin Development Board member; former Engineering Advisory Committee member for the Petroleum Geosystems Engineering Department at the University of Texas; member of the Young President’s Organization; and past Executive Board and Management Committee member of the Coastal Conservation Association – Texas.
Mosbacher Energy Company
Downing Mears has been actively involved in the Upstream Oil and Gas Business for over forty years, concentrating on acquisition, development, exploration and production of Hydrocarbons in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Peru, Tunisia, India and the North Sea.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Mears began his career in New Orleans with Goldrus Drilling Company in 1975. After moving to Houston in 1976 he was employed by Kilroy Company of Texas, Inc. and subsequently Mosbacher Energy Company. In 1981 Mears moved to Oklahoma City where his independent company focused on generating exploration projects and purchasing mineral interests. Since returning to Houston in 1986, he has been employed by Mosbacher Energy Company, where he currently serves as President.
Over the years, Mr. Mears has served as a member of the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association, Independent Producers Association of America, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and the American Association of Petroleum Landmen. He currently serves as a Board member for Southeast Oil & Gas Association and US Oil & Gas Association.
O’Neill Properties, Ltd.
Mr. O’Neill is the managing partner of O’Neill Properties, Ltd. in Midland, Texas. A 1967 graduate of Notre Dame, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan in 1968 and then went on to serve in the United States Army Special Forces. His civic activities include being chairman of the Midland Memorial Hospital Foundation and service to the Board of Governors for Midland Memorial Hospital. He served as President-Elect and President of the Notre Dame Alumni Association from 1991 – 1993 and as an ex-officio member of this Board. He served nine years on the Advisory Council for Notre Dame’s College of Engineering and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Notre Dame.
Vice President, Product Management & Marketing
INNIO Waukesha Engines
Jason Padilla is Vice President of Product Management & Marketing at INNIO Waukesha Engines where he oversees the strategic direction and growth initiatives for the company’s equipment and service offerings.
Since joining the company in 2011, Jason has played a key role in driving innovation and market expansion. With over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, he brings deep expertise in product strategy, marketing, and customer-focused solutions.
Prior to INNIO, Jason held senior roles in Strategic Marketing and Product Management at GE Power & Water. He also served as a Submarine Programs Officer in the U.S. Navy, where he developed a strong foundation in leadership and technical operations.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology.
Delfin Midstream, CEO
Collaborative Canadian Energy Solutions, President
Mr. Gerry Protti is the President of Collaborative Canadian Energy Solutions. He has over 45 years of experience in energy and has served as the chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Protti served a five-year term as the Chair of the Alberta Energy Regulator, the largest energy regulator in North America. The AER Board oversaw the amalgamation of three separate regulators and then through the development of a comprehensive strategic plan with performance targets and measures directed several improvements in governance, operations and adjudicative processes.
Prior to his AER appointment, he served for 15 years as an executive officer of EnCana Corporation and one of its predecessor companies PanCanadian. Mr. Protti’s corporate experience includes marketing, operations, new ventures and corporate relations. In the new ventures role in oversaw vertical integration initiatives for the oil and gas producer and developed a fund for investment in renewable energy technologies.
Mr. Protti was also the founding president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and was executive director of the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada. He has extensive governance experience including Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, CAPP and the Public Policy Forum and appointments to the Boards of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, SAIT Polytechnic and the University of Alberta. Gerry has also served as Chair of the Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society Foundation.
Gerry received a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (Economics) from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Arts (Economics) from the University of Western Ontario. He has completed the Wharton Business School’s Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania and is an Institute of Corporate Directors certified Director, ICD.D.
President, Western Hemisphere
Mark Richard is responsible for Halliburton’s Western Hemisphere and serves as a member of the Company’s Executive Committee. Previously, Mark was Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing.
Mr. Richard began his career in 1984 as a Wireline Logging Engineer with Gearhart Industries. He came to Halliburton in 1988 with the acquisition of Gearhart and held a variety of operational roles. He then had various positions of increased responsibility including executive leadership in the Gulf of Mexico, Eurasia/Europe/Sub-Saharan African Region and Asia Pacific.
Mr. Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU). He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for LSU College of Engineering and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the American Association of Drilling Engineers, and the American Petroleum Institute, where he serves on the Upstream Committee.
Quintana Minerals Corporation
Corbin J. Robertson, Jr. is the chairman and CEO of Natural Resource Partners, a master limited partnership that is principally engaged in the business of owning and managing mineral reserve properties. Robertson currently serves on the board of directors for Great Northern Properties, Quintana Minerals Corporation, Quintana Exploration Corporation, Natural Resource Partners, and Western Pocahontas Corporation.
Robertson serves on the board of directors for the American Petroleum Institute and the Texas Oil and Gas Association. He is chairman of the board of the Cullen Trust for Higher Education and serves on the board of trustees for the Kincaid School. He serves on the University of Houston Energy Advisory Board, The University of Texas Executive Council Advisory Board, the University of Texas Development Board, and the National Petroleum Council. Robertson founded the Corbin J. Robertson Society at the University of Houston.
Robertson earned his bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
EOG Resources
Pamela Roth joined EOG Resources, Inc. in October 2016 and currently serves as Vice President of Government Relations and is based in Houston. She provides more than 20 years of industry experience advancing organizational policy initiatives and developing and executing strategic public and regulatory policy strategies.
Pamela is a Colorado native and has served on numerous non-profit BOD’s in the community including the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and American Heart Association. She is currently serving on the following Trade Association Boards: USOGA, AXPC, TXOGA, NMOGA, TIPRO and PBPA.
Vice Chair
David is President of McGowan Working Partners, Inc., an oil and gas operating company with operations in 5 states. He has worked in the oil and gas business for over 40 years and has been with McGowan since 1981. David is very active in oil and gas professional associations and is currently a board member of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), board member of US Oil & Gas Association in Washington, DC, and past Chairman of the US Oil & Gas Association, Mississippi/Alabama Division, member of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), prior board member of the Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen (MAPL), and board member and past President of Wildcat Insurance Company, a 50 member oil and gas captive insurance company. David obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Geology, both from Millsaps College. He is also a Registered Professional Geologist.
David has volunteered with many organizations, including serving as board member and past President of the River Hills Club, board member and past President of Magnolia Cutting Horse Association, member of the vestry at St. James Episcopal Church, Chairman of the St. James Youth Advisory Board, board member of the McClean Fletcher Center, and board member of Young Life – Urban/Inner City of Jackson. He also spent many years coaching youth football, soccer, and basketball, and teaching Sunday School. David and his wife of 40 years, Cathey Bass Russell, have 3 children: Missy, David, and Stephen.
Mr. Shackouls graduated from Mississippi State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He began his career with Exxon Company U.S.A. in New Orleans where he held several engineering positions in Exxon’s Offshore Production District. In 1975, Mr. Shackouls joined Houston Oil & Minerals Corporation (HO&M) in Houston, TX where he held a number of professional and management positions until HO&M was sold to Tenneco in 1981. He joined Plains Resources Inc. in 1981 and served in several senior management positions. In 1988, Mr. Shackouls was hired by Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated as Executive Vice-President of Operations, and in 1991, he was named president and Chief Operating Officer of Torch.
Mr. Shackouls joined Burlington Resources/Meridian Oil Inc. in 1993 as Executive Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1994, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Meridian. In 1995, Mr. Shackouls was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Resources Inc. (BR), and was also elected to its Board of Directors. He was elected Chairman of the Board of BR in 1997. Mr. Shackouls retired as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Resources Inc. upon its acquisition by ConocoPhillips on March 31, 2006 and served on the Board of ConocoPhillips until May, 2011.
Mr. Shackouls is a past Chairman and current member of the National Petroleum Council and a member of the Executive Committee of the US Oil & Gas Association. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi State University Foundation. Mr. Shackouls also serves as lead director of Plains All American Pipeline.
The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma
Simmons has prior experience with local energy leaders, serving as a federal lobbyist for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association from 2008 to 2015 and on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association from 2015 to 2019.
The University of Oklahoma graduate has also served on the board of directors for the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, Western Energy Alliance, North Dakota Petroleum Council, Royalty Owners & Producers Educational Coalition and the Utah Petroleum Association.
Quantum Capital Group
Alan Smith is currently Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockcliff Energy, LLC, a well-capitalized, privately-held oil and gas company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company was founded in January of 2015 after serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Resources Management, LLC, a direct investment private equity fund, and QR Energy, LP, a publicly-traded MLP.
Prior to Quantum Resources, Mr. Smith was a Managing Director at Quantum Energy Partners, where he actively worked with portfolio companies on strategic, operational and other value-building activities. Prior to Quantum Energy Partners, he founded Chalker Energy Partners, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of Chalker Energy Partners II and Lead Board Member of Chalker Energy Partners III.
Alan is presently the Chairman of the Board and serves on the Executive Committee of the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) and is on the board and serves on the Executive Committee of the US Oil and Gas Association (USOGA). He also currently serves on the board of Trace Midstream. Alan was given the Distinguished Engineer Award by the College of Engineering at Texas Tech University in 2012. He also served for 20 years on the Petroleum Advisory Board of Texas Tech Department of Petroleum Engineering. In 2017, Alan received the distinction of being selected as a member of the All-American Wildcatters. He serves on the board of the Texas Hearing Institute and serves as Elder at Christ the King Presbyterian Church. He holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.
Texas Oil & Gas Association
Todd Staples was named President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association in November of 2014. Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry. In order to continue the positive jobs and growth environment that oil and natural gas provides for Texas, TXOGA must be a modern-day voice for the industry.
Working with the TXOGA Board, Staples developed and implemented a multi-faceted approach to educate voters and elected officials on the industry’s contributions to the state to ensure pro-energy policy decisions based on economic and scientific facts. This approach includes bi-partisan efforts to support the passage of landmark legislation that provides cities with authority to reasonably regulate surface activity while affirming the regulation of oil and natural production is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and broad coalitions to ensure infrastructure needs of the state are met.
Prior to TXOGA, Staples served as the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, winning two statewide elections. He also served with distinction in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives. After graduating with honors from Texas A & M University, Staples began his career on the Palestine City Council where he was a successful small businessman and rancher. A proud family man, Todd and his wife Janet split time between Austin and Palestine.
US Oil & Gas Association
Tim Stewart has spent 20 years in the legislative and regulatory environment in Washington, D.C., specializing in natural resource and energy issues.
Since 2004, Tim has established three different government relations and consulting firms. In 2004, he established the American Capitol Group, a full-service government relations firm. In 2009, he helped found Energy North America, an energy consulting firm, and in 2011, he reunited with his former employer Senator Robert F. Bennett (R-UT) to establish the Bennett Consulting Group. Collectively, the three firms now provide services to over 50 clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to major universities, state agencies, and small businesses. As a consultant, he has successfully helped launch a number of start-up companies in the energy, technology, defense, and agriculture industries. While he has been successful in several attempts, he has also learned the hard way that not all good ideas make it.
Over the past 20 years in Washington, Tim has focused his attention and interest on issues that impact western states, particularly in the energy and natural resource environment. He has developed specific policy expertise in oil and gas development on public lands, the federal appropriations process, federal and state land management, Native American issues, and water and natural resources policy. He represents several western clients, including oil and gas interests, universities, tribes, trade associations, municipalities, state and country governments, and small businesses. He remains politically active in the circles of influence most important to his client’s interests.
From 2001 to 2003 Tim was the Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for the House Committee on Natural Resources, where he managed a staff of 50 professionals and worked closely with the 50 members of the Committee. As Chief of Staff, he was responsible for moving hundreds of bills through the legislative process, working extensively with key members of Congress, including Committee Chairmen, House leadership, and Administration officials. He developed relationships with leaders across a wide spectrum in industry, state government, and issue advocacy groups.
Prior to his time spent working in the House of Representatives, Tim served for seven years as a top aide to former Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT), a senior member of the Senate leadership and a policy leader in finance, energy and natural resource arena. Tim was responsible for staffing Senator Bennett on legislative issues for Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture including both authorization and appropriations work.
Tim and his wife Marcia currently live in Falls Church VA, with their five children. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from Utah State University because he is not very good with math. He maintains his rural roots by puttering around the family farm and cattle ranch with his brothers in Idaho.
Mississippi Energy Institute
Patrick Sullivan has served as President of the Mississippi Energy Institute since July 2011. Started in 2009 by Governor Haley Barbour and originally an initiative of the Mississippi Economic Council, the Institute was created as a permanent entity to assist the state with energy policy and energy-based development.
Started in 2009 by Governor Haley Barbour, the Institute has established a comprehensive policy base focused broadly on energy-related development. Beginning in November 2011, a seven-month partnership project with Ohio-based Battelle Memorial Institute will begin a detailed assessment of energy-based development opportunities in Mississippi.Prior to his work at the Mississippi Energy Policy Institute, Patrick served both as Policy Advisor and as Executive Director of Recovery and Renewal for Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. Serving as Policy Advisor to the Governor since 2006, he had oversight of issues pertaining to energy, transportation, environment, agriculture, natural resources, and economic development.
In July 2010, he was named Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal, which is the primary entity responsible for coordinating disaster assistance. In the summer of 2010, Patrick managed Mississippi’s multi-agency Deepwater Horizon oil spill response in conjunction with the Federal response. Patrick also represents Mississippi as the Governor’s Alternate for the Delta Regional Authority, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Southern States Energy Board. Patrick graduated from Mississippi State University with a Master of Agribusiness Management in December 2001.
Coastal Bend LNG, Chief Financial Officer
Glenn Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer and brings more than 25 years of experience in the oil & gas industry to deliver innovative solutions that remove friction from carbon markets. Prior to joining Coastal Bend LNG, Glenn spent nearly 13 years at Halliburton where he held technical and managerial roles, including the Head of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for Low Carbon Solutions. Earlier in his career, he held technical roles at BP, CSIRO, and the University of Utah.
Glenn holds BAppSC and PHD degrees in physics from Central Queensland and Griffith Universities in Australia and an executive MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He is an inventor of over 120 patents or patent applications and an author of more than 150 technical papers.
John H. Young Inc.
Born August 25, 1943, Mr. Young was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three married children: John R., age 51; Elizabeth, age 48; and Kathleen, age 40 and 10 grandchildren.
Mr. Young obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1965 and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1968. From 1968 to 1970, he was employed in the Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., specializing in oil and gas matters, and earned a Master’s Degree in tax law from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Young then served as Special Counsel to the President of the American Petroleum Institute until returning to Texas in 1974 to engage in the oil and gas business.
Mr. Young is President of John H. Young, Inc., an exploration and production company which he founded in 1979 and Vice-President of JOY Resources, Inc. He is a member of “The All-American Wildcatters”. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Central Bancshares. He is also Past-President of River Oaks Country Club and The Houston Chapter of the University of Texas Ex-Students Association. He has served on the Administrative Board of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church-Houston. He is the past Chairman of the Texas Oil & Gas Association.
He is on the executive committee of the US Oil & Gas Association. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Heart Institute and Board of Directors of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s largest worker’s compensation carrier. At TMI, he was Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Investment Committee.