Speakers

Ola Akrad – Vice President for Engineering and Technology – Austin Exploration

Serving as Austin Exploration’s VP for Engineering and Technology, Ms. Akrad is responsible for developing engineering solutions for the company’s assets. This encompasses field data organization, field development on conventional reservoirs as well as for unconventional assets. She also assists the Board of Directors with project acquisition decisions (through technical and economic property evaluations) and manages all the engineering designs and business plans in her respective business unit.

Max Anyiam – Senior Consultant, HSE and Technical Safety Engineering – Progressive Global Energy

Max graduated from Rice University in 2011 where he represented Rice as a student-athlete in 2 Collegiate Football Bowl games which included a win in the 2008 Texas Bowl in Houston,TX. Max joined Progressive Global Energy in 2011, where he has become a Principal Consultant placing HSEQ professionals across oil & gas operating, EPC, & service companies US wide. His well rounded understanding of QHSE/R & Process Safety Engineering industry and recruitment challenges in the current market has enhanced his ability to deliver to clients the past 3 years with Progressive Global Energy.

Adam Bedard – Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Market Analysis – High Sierra Energy, LP

Adam Bedard is a respected leader in the energy analytics field. He is currently the Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Market Analysis at High Sierra Energy, a subsidiary of NGL Energy Partners, one of the fastest growing midstream MLPs. He has been quoted in numerous newspapers and journals, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily, Houston Chronicle, Denver Business Journal, and Reuters among others. Mr. Bedard has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado at Boulder, and a MBA in Finance from Wharton. Prior to joining High Sierra, Mr. Bedard ran the crude oil and NGL desks as Senior Director at Bentek Energy.

Marc Bokelman – Vice President  Corporate Development Rockies Region – Summit Midstream Partners

Mr. Bokelman is Vice President, Corporate Development – Rockies Region for Summit Midstream in Denver and is responsible for managing Summit’s midstream business development activities throughout the region. Marc has over 27 years of experience in the oil and gas midstream, pipeline and product terminaling industries which include roles in engineering, project management, marketing, business development and asset management, and acquisitions and divestitures.

Korby Bracken – Environmental Health and Safety Manager – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Korby Bracken is an Environmental Health and Safety Manager, specializing in air quality, for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s Rockies assets. He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. In addition to his Chemical Engineering degree he holds a Professional Environmental Engineer certification. Since graduation he has worked in many business sectors, including the New Source Review permitting group at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Working for the State of Wyoming is where Korby found his interest in the air quality field. Prior to working for Anadarko, Korby worked for consulting firms emphasizing the oil and gas sector permitting and compliance. He serves as the co-chair for Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s air quality subcommittee and is an active member of Western Energy Alliance, Petroleum Association of Wyoming and Rocky Mountain EHS Peer Group.

James Burke – President and Chief Executive Officer – High Sierra Energy, LP

James Burke co-founded High Sierra Energy, LP, in 2004, and currently serves as President & Chief Executive Officer and co-Managing Director. Mr. Burke received his B.S from University of Colorado in 1978. Mr. Burke began his career as a Crude Oil Representative at Permian Corporation from 1978-1981. Mr. Burke then joined Asamera Oil (U.S.) Inc. where he served as Manager of Crude Oil Acquisitions from 1981-1984. Mr. Burke, along with three other entrepreneurs, co-founded Petro Source Partners, where he ran six business units throughout the U.S. and Canada for the company over a 17 year span. Mr. Burke was instrumental in helping the company achieve over $1.0 billion in annual revenues when the company was sold during 2001.

Bryan Burns – Environmental Health and Safety Representative – LINN Energy

Bryan Burns is an Environmental, Health, & Safety Representative with LINN Energy where he manages environmental and regulatory projects primarily in Colorado and Utah. Bryan has 8 years of industry experience focused on wildlife impact mitigation, air, water, and soil quality. Bryan holds an Environmental Science & Policy degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder, and a Master of Science degree in Global Energy Management from the University of Colorado-Denver. Bryan strives to achieve responsible development of valuable energy resources, while conserving air, water, soil, and wildlife resources for future generations.

Dennis Chismar – Vice President Business Development – Bilfinger Westcon

Responsible for the expansion of Westcon’s role as a General Contractor inorder to attract new business. Bringing in new bidding opportunities and develop new relationships with key clients. Create new business opportunities – new clients, new markets and new geographical regions within the U.S. Improve the contracts for selected existing clients and major new clients – Linde Process Plants, DuPont, Sinclair, Hess Corporation, True Oil, Oneok, Anadarko, Hemlock Semiconductor and Whiting Oil. Provide proposal support for “selective large opportunities” for new clients.

Megan Davis – Vice President Regulatory and Senior Counsel – Summit Midstream Partners

Ms. Davis is Vice President-Regulatory and Senior Counsel for Summit Midstream and is responsible for communicating and coordinating with regulators and managing Summit’s compliance with the regulations that apply to its business, including federal, state, and local rules and regulations. Megan has 10 years of experience in the energy regulatory field, including regulation of electric transmission and lignite mining operations in addition to the oil and gas midstream business.

Jessie Koerner – US Communications & Public Affairs – Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation

Jessie Koerner joined Enerplus in 2013. As the company’s US Communications/Public Affairs Coordinator, she is responsible for executing Enerplus’ community outreach and communications plans. Enerplus is an independent oil and gas producer with a strong portfolio of assets in some of the most productive plays in North America. In addition to successful production of resources, Enerplus places an emphasis on safety, ethical and socially responsible conduct, and community involvement.

Brian Lash – Chief Executive Officer – Target Logistics

Brian Lash founded The Target Companies in his college dorm room in 1978. Today, Target Logistics is an Algeco Scotsman company and the largest turnkey workforce housing provider in the United States. As chairman and CEO, Brian is responsible for strategic direction, including planning, operations, human resources, sales and marketing. Named by Inc. magazine as one of “America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies,” Target Logistics offers innovative housing solutions in the world’s most remote locations.

Matt Lepore – Director – Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission

Matt is the Director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates oil and gas exploration and production in the State. Immediately prior to joining the Department in August 2012, Matt was a member of the law firm Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., where his practice focused on oil and gas regulatory matters, enforcement proceedings, and litigation. Prior to joining Beatty & Wozniak, Matt was a Colorado Assistant Attorney General and was counsel to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Mr. Lepore represented the Commission before the state trial and appellate courts, and advised the Commission on regulatory and enforcement matters, and as well as agency rulemaking.

Greg Lorson – Chief Executive Officer – TEEMCO

Mr. Lorson is a fourth generation oilman and former CEO of a national company. He has 30 years experience in oil & gas, real estate, and investment banking. Mr. Lorson has been a member of corporate & charitable boards, state and federal commissions and has been appointed by the governors from six states to advise on the environment, taxes, energy, and economic development. He is a published business author, FEMA certified Emergency Response Manager, and a licensed water system & waste treatment-facility operator. Mr. Lorson served as a United Nation’s Conference Delegate on International Oil Development.

Chris McGowne – Community Outreach Coordinator – Colorado Oil & Gas Associations

Chris McGowne is the community outreach coordinator for the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. His role with COGA involves overseeing all local regulatory process and development in addition to reaching out and speaking with interested citizen’s coalitions and groups, as well other public outreach on behalf of the industry. Chris began his career as a Colorado Senate Staff member, a position he held for five years.

Nick Schnurr – Engineering and Sales Manager – Preferred Technologies

Nick Schnurr joined Preferred as the Engineering and Sales Manager for the Rocky Mountain, Bakken and California markets. The market’s only commercial manufacturer with an available non-phenolic technology in resin-coated sand, Preferred is dedicated to bringing world-class innovations to the oil and gas industry, with a focus on ensuring environmental stewardship. As Engineering and Sales Manager, Nick is responsible for strategically managing business development throughout the product lifecycle.

Kevin Tanner – Project Completions Engineering Advisor – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Kevin Tanner is the Project Completions Engineering Advisor at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Kevin Tanner has 25 years experience in the oil and gas Industry, specializing in hydraulic fracturing, microseismicity and production analysis. He has held various positions in technology, operations, sales and marketing. Tanner received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado

Amy Venturi – Director of Social Investment – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Amy Venturi is currently the Director of Social Investment for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. She oversees Anadarko’s involvement in community organizations across the Colorado, Wyoming and Utah and manages the company’s charitable giving program. She assists individuals in finding local community organizations to volunteer with that relate to their own personal passions and interests. Amy also creates programs in order to encourage volunteerism within the company. She has experience in high-profile corporate marketing, promotional event coordination and community outreach program direction.

Craig Walters – Director Wattenberg – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Craig Walters is Director, Wattenberg, and is responsible for development of Anadarko’s assets in northern Colorado. Craig has 20 years of experience in various engineering, business development, operations and management positions working assets in the Rockies, Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions. Prior to his current role, he was General Manager, Rockies Completions.

Joe Welliver – Strategic Account Manager – Total Safety

Joe Welliver has worked in the oil and gas industry for the past six years and has more than 60 certifications ranging from CPR/First Aid instructor to Radiological Worker II from the Los Alamos National Laboratories. Welliver’s diverse background in the oil and gas business includes upstream, midstream and downstream operations. He has worked as senior staff for emergency situations including many onshore well blowouts in multiple states. In addition Welliver worked as an HES advisor on the DD2 during the BP oil spill with responsibility for gas monitoring and relief well drilling operations. During his five years with Total Safety he has worked on numerous emergency refinery shutdowns. Today Welliver’s office is in one of the largest oil booms where his team has just been recognized by OSHA for 10 years with no lost time incident.

Tim Willems – President US and International Operations – NCS Energy Services

Tim Willems has more than 30 years experience in the oil and gas Industry, specializing in wellbore construction, completion, and remediation. Sixteen of those years were spent in the international arena. He has held diverse positions, including applications engineering, operations, sales, and marketing. Willems received a BS in Petroleum Engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology.