Speakers

Ethan Bellamy is Baird’s senior analyst covering Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).  Prior to joining Baird in 2010, he was a sell-side analyst at Wunderlich Securities in Denver for two years. Prior to rejoining sell-side research, he worked on the buy-side as the Director of Research for the Lehman Brothers MLP Opportunity Funds in Lehman Private Equity in Houston, TX. Prior to joining Lehman, Ethan covered MLPs at Stifel Nicolaus as a senior analyst. He began his career at Stifel covering cable and media equities out of Denver. Ethan was the No. 2 stock picker in the U.S. in 2010 in the Starmine/Financial Times annual survey. He was the No. 1 stock picker in the oil, gas and consumable fuels sector in the 2009 survey. Ethan holds a BA from Clemson University and an MA from the University of Colorado-Boulder.   

For over three decades, Porter Bennett has pioneered innovative analytical approaches to understanding the natural gas, crude oil and, most recently, water markets. He is currently Co-Founder and Chairman of B3, a subsidiary of Ponderosa Advisors, LLC, that delivers data-driven water analytics to the energy, financial and engineering sectors.  B3 has developed a comprehensive data platform that integrates information and analytics to facilitate understanding of the complete water life cycle in the oil field.  B3 is used to optimize planning operations and business development across operators, service companies, midstream companies and their investors.  Mr. Bennett leads all strategic company initiatives. Prior to B3, Mr. Bennett founded BENTEK Energy in 1985, served as CEO, and led the company’s development until 2011 when he sold it to Platts, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. 

Mr. Bennett serves on the board of Drillinginfo, Inc. and Fairway Energy LLC.  He holds an MS degree in mineral economics from the Colorado School of Mines, an MA degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and a BA degree in history from Lewis & Clark College.

Mr. Benson is a founding partner of Energy Spectrum, with relationships and networks within the energy industry. Mr. Benson has been instrumental in and responsible for originating many of Energy Spectrum’s most successful investments. Mr. Benson primarily focuses on business development activities and the sourcing and financing of new transactions for Energy Spectrum’s midstream private equity business. Through his extensive industry relationships and active marketing efforts, Mr. Benson participates in the evaluation and negotiation of potential investments and assists portfolio companies in arranging and structuring debt financing.

Mr. Benson has approximately 34 years of private equity, investment banking, financial advisory and commercial banking experience in the energy industry. 

Mr. Benson received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas and his Master of Business Administration degree with high honors from Texas Christian University.

Mr. Robert W. Bourne, also known as Bob, has been Vice President of Business Development for Midstream and Marketing of Apache Corporation since April 2017. Mr. Bourne has had a strong focus on producer and end-user relations and midstream business development throughout his career. He has been responsible for commercial transactions covering thousands of miles of pipe and associated infrastructure across the United States’ Gulf Coast region. He served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at American Midstream GP LLC of American Midstream Partners, LP., since November 2014 until December 31, 2015. Mr. Bourne was one of the founding members of the executive management team for Coral Energy. Mr. Bourne became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gas Solutions II Ltd. from 2010 to January 2012. He was a Principal of Costar Midstream LLC, an Energy Spectrum Capital company from 2012 to 2014. He was a founding member of the Executive Leadership team that oversaw the formation of Coral Energy, a partnership formed by Shell and Tejas/Acadian Gas. He served as Senior Vice President of Energy Transfer Partners responsible for commercial and business development of the Houston Pipeline System from 2005 to 2009 and Vice President of Crosstex Energy (now Enlink Midstream) from 2004 to 2005 and gas supply representative for Delhi Gas Pipeline from 1981 to 1984. From 1984 to 2003, he held positions of increasing responsibility with Shell Trading (formerly Coral Energy), including as Senior Vice President of producer services and Derivative Product Marketing. He has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University.

Carlos M. Conerly serves as President of the Natural Gas and Refining Division for Linde Engineering North America Inc. Conerly has over 37 years of global energy experience working exclusively in the natural gas processing industry. He previously held the position of Vice President of Sales for ISTI Plant Services. He worked for T.H. Russell Company for over 20 years, serving as Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Manufacturing. Conerly also held several management positions at Hanover Compression Company and Exterran Corporation in the USA and Dubai, UAE.  He serves on the Board of Directors for the Gas Processors Suppliers Association and the Mid Continent Gas Processors Association. A long-time resident of Tulsa, he studied business management at the University of Northern Colorado.

Joseph R, Dancy is the Executive Director of the University of Oklahoma College of Law’s new Energy Center and is a professor teaching Toxic Tort Litigation, Energy Project Finance, and Energy Law. He has also taught at the SMU Dedman School of Law and the SMU Cox School of Business and serves as Faculty Advisor to the student-managed SMU Spindletop Energy Fund.  He currently serves as President of LSGI Advisers, Inc. and manager of the LSGI Venture Fund, L.P., a private actively managed fund for SEC-accredited investors.  He obtained his undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering and mineral processing from Michigan Technological University, an MBA from University of Michigan, and a J.D. from Oklahoma City University Law School.

David Finan serves as a Partner of EIV and a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.  He is actively involved in firm strategy and is responsible for originating and stewarding investments across EIV’s areas of focus. David has more than 15 years of experience including energy finance in upstream, midstream, oilfield service and power sectors. David most recently served as Director for Quantum Energy Partners, where he participated in investment activities across upstream, midstream and oil field sectors; including portfolio company board participation and monitoring, evaluating and sourcing new investments, due diligence and transaction structuring and execution. In 2006, David joined GSO Capital Partners, a division of the Blackstone Group, where he served as Vice President of the energy investment team and provided credit, equity and special situation capital across the energy value chain. His responsibilities included negotiating and executing private investments, participating in syndicated offerings and monitoring ongoing investments within GSO and Blackstone’s credit and special-situation hedge funds. Prior to that, David held positions at JPMorgan and Credit Suisse’s investment banking Natural Resources Group, focusing on mergers, acquisitions and capital market transactions.

David received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance and Management Information Systems from Baylor University, graduating cum laude.

Jason J. Fleischer is a senior associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and is a member of the firm’s Energy, Regulation & Litigation and Energy & Infrastructure Groups.  Mr. Fleischer’s practice focuses primarily on energy litigation, regulatory and transactional matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, other federal agencies and the federal courts. Mr. Fleischer has represented a wide variety of electric utilities, investment banks, power marketers and natural gas companies and pipelines in agency investigations and enforcement matters including alleged market manipulation, market power, and reliability matters, and transactional matters including mergers and acquisitions. He also assists with crisis management, strategic planning, internal corporate investigations and Congressional investigations.  Mr. Fleischer graduated from American University Washington College of Law. 

Greg Haas serves as Director of Integrated Energy for Stratas Advisors. Haas leverages 20 years of integrated global energy experience garnered in operating and fundamental research roles at Exxon, at EPRI (the Electric Power Research Institute) and pipeline and power consultancies, and at institutional sell-side investment brokerage firms including Raymond James Financial. Haas holds an MBA from Rice University and mechanical Engineering Masters and Bachelors of Science degrees from the University of Illinois.

Cynthia Jaggi is Senior Vice President – Strategic Process Transformation for EnLink Midstream. Ms. Jaggi has served in several engineering roles since she joined EnLink’s predecessor company in 2006, most recently as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations Services. In just over 10 years with the company, Ms. Jaggi advanced from a process engineer to leading EnLink’s business development engineering and major projects execution and to now leading a newly formed team created to lead and enhance EnLink Midstream’s business performance.

Ms. Jaggi brings years of valuable industry experience to EnLink, having held various process and project engineering positions, including at ExxonMobil, where she started her career at the Baytown refinery.

Ms. Jaggi graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now known as the Missouri University of Science and Technology), with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.

J. Zachary Kayem is a Vice President of EnCap Flatrock Midstream. Mr. Kayem supports all finance, administrative and accounting functions of EFM’s funds and portfolio companies. Prior to joining EnCap Flatrock Midstream in 2012, Mr. Kayem spent three years as an analyst on the Corporate Finance team at SWS Group, where he focused on debt and equity raises and M&A advisory work in multiple industries. Mr. Kayem holds a B.B.A. in Finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is a member of Young Professionals in Energy, and serves on the board of directors of several EFM portfolio companies, including Nuevo Midstream Dos, Stakeholder Midstream and Toledo Bend Midstream.

Marcus joined Howard Energy Partners in June 2014 and currently serve as Director-Business Development of Catalyst Midstream Partners, a subsidiary of Howard Energy Partners.  Catalyst Midstream Partners is dedicated to creating value in the Delaware Basin by providing innovative thinking, cost-effective solutions and quality service to our customers. Marcus began his oil and gas career at DCP Midstream as a Commercial Supply Representative, where he managed DCP’s South Texas Commercial efforts. He earned his B.B.A from the University of Houston – Bauer School of Business and MBA from the University of Houston - Victoria

Michael Moss has more than 15 years of management and business development experience. He has overseen large international energy projects in Mexico, Latin America and Papua New Guinea. Mr. Moss most recently served as corporate director for social responsibility at Occidental Petroleum Company, where he oversaw the development of the company’s social responsibility strategy. He also managed business unit and business development support, as well as internal and external program communications and education. Prior to working for Occidental, Mr. Moss worked as the lead for upstream business development at ExxonMobil Development Company. He held previous positions as Chief Operating Officer for Energy Maintenance Services in Mexico and Latin America and Vice President of Latin American Operations for URS/Dames & Moore.

Mr. Moss holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri.

Mr. Ordemann currently serves as Executive Vice President, Strategy Development and Implementation of Enterprise GP, having previously served as Executive Vice President, Commercial from October 2015 to April 2018. He served as Group Senior Vice President, Unregulated Liquids, Crude and Natural Gas Services from April 2012 to October 2015 and as Executive Vice President from August 2007 to April 2012. He served as Chief Operating Officer of EPGP from August 2007 until September 2010 and as its Executive Vice President from August 2007 to November 2010. He was also elected an Executive Vice President of DEP GP in August 2007 and served in such role until September 2011. Mr. Ordemann previously served as a Senior Vice President of EPGP from September 2001 to August 2007 and was a Vice President of EPGP from October 1999 to September 2001. He joined Enterprise in connection with its purchase of certain midstream energy assets from affiliates of Shell Oil Company in 1999. He also served as a Director for OTLP GP, LLC, the general partner of Oiltanking Partners, L.P., from October 2014 until February 2015 and is a Director of the GPA Midstream Association where he serves on the Executive Committee as Chairman.

Ben Rhem is a partner in the Austin office of law firm Jackson Walker LLP, advising midstream, upstream and other energy clients on Texas and federal environmental and oil and gas regulations. He assists clients with environmental audits, pipeline compliance matters and permitting issues. 

Mr. Rhem’s expertise includes the Texas Railroad Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). He is a co-author of the authoritative guide Texas Oil & Gas Statutes & Regulations.

Mr. Rhem earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and is a graduate of the University of Richmond. His legal skills have been recognized by the Super Lawyers rating service, listing him among Texas’ leading young lawyers on its annual Rising Stars list since 2016.

Mr. Allan Roach has been Senior Vice President of Business Development at Watco Companies, LLC since February 2009. Mr. Roach served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Watco Companies, Inc. until February 2009.

Brandon Seale serves as President of Howard Energy México, a subsidiary of Howard Energy Partners. Howard Energy Mexico is dedicated to creating new markets for U.S. producers and providing innovative thinking, cost-effective solutions and quality service to Mexican customers.

Previously Brandon served as CEO for Zaragoza Resources, a South Texas exploration and production company that drilled and acquired seven wells, leased more than 35,806 acres and successfully sold its production in 2013. Brandon was also the founder and General Manager for SolarTex, LLC, a green energy company, which he successfully sold in 2008.

Brandon began his oil and gas career at Lewis Energy Group as Director of International Projects, where he managed Lewis’s Mexican and Colombian operations. As Superintendente de Construcción for Lewis Energy México, Brandon participated in the first round of PEMEX Multiple Service Contracts in 2004, drilled the first well operated by Americans in Mexico since 1938 (Hidalgo 1), built the only pipeline flowing gas from Mexico into Texas (Petrolero Pipeline) and drilled the first Eagle Ford well in Mexico in 2010 (Emergente-1).

Brandon earned his B.A. from Washington & Lee University and his J.D. and MBA degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law.

Laura joined Caterpillar in her current role in 2014. She is driven to develop a deep understanding the energy markets today, how the changes that are occurring in the near term and what the future may look like. Her experience from 19 years in the energy business cutting across technologies and fuels offers a unique perspective on the energy landscape of the future and the implications for Caterpillar.

Caterpillar, Energy & Transportation Regional Chief Economist

Responsibilities include developing deep understand of the macroeconomic conditions that drive the Electric Power, Marine, Oil & Gas and Industrial segments of the E&T business. Support the Sales and Operations Planning by providing the high level sales forecast by region and engine model family. Forecast oil, gas and diesel prices for the corporation. Develop deeper understanding of the changing energy landscape and what the implications may be for the company.

Laura has extensive prior experience in the Energy sector, having spent 15 years with Southern Company, one of the largest electric utilities in the US and its subsidiaries. She has a broad range of experience both as an analyst and business development in the electric utility industry.

Georgia Power Company, Forecasting Principal

Responsibilities included Forecast sales and revenues of approximately $5b annually for use in financial planning, budgeting and regulatory activities. Perform scenario / sensitivity analysis for revenue and energy forecasts, including updating year-end projections for Financial Planning. Support regulatory proceedings including the Integrated Resource Plan, Fuel Cost Recovery, Resource Certification (including new nuclear units at Plant Vogtle) and Rate Case filings. Research new technology, Electric Vehicles and Emerging Trends to evaluate potential changes to the forecasting process and future advances that impact sales and growth in the future.   

Southern Company, Business Development Manager

Responsibilities included identifying opportunities with new potential and existing wholesale customers. Develop and evaluate pricing, terms and conditions for various generating technologies, including CCGT, Coal and IGCC, and requirements contracts. Develop business cases for opportunities and evaluate revenue & net income potential. Negotiated contracts causing the construction of over 4GW of new combined cycle generation with an expected net income of nearly $1B over the contract periods.

In addition, Laura holds a PhD in Applied Economics from Clemson University.

Ken Snyder joined Frontier Energy Services, LLC as Chief Commercial Officer in January 2012. Over the past 35 years Mr. Snyder has founded, successfully developed, and led several private and publicly owned energy companies. From 2007 to 2012, he was founder and President of Gulf Energy Development, developing and improving energy assets for Pemex, Eagle Rock, TGGT, Tenaska, Lehman Brothers, and Basin Transload. Prior to founding Gulf Energy Development, Mr. Snyder served as Senior Vice President and partner at Texon. From 1999 to 2002, he led Dynegy's 350-person international broadband division, serving major cities in the U.S. and in Europe with more than $1 billion in assets. In 1994, Mr. Snyder founded EnSite, a retail energy-consulting firm. From 1991 to 1994, he served as President of AmGas, an energy-marketing subsidiary of MidAmerica. In 1986, Mr. Snyder founded Cibola and led the company until 1991, as its President. Previous to that, Mr. Snyder served in several capacities at Northern Natural Gas.

Mr. Snyder earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Engineering from the University of Nebraska.

Blake Trahan has worked in the petroleum logistics field for the past 29 years, during which he has always served in commercial or business development roles. His career began in barge chartering and later focused on marine terminals and pipelines. Prior to joining Houston Fuel Oil Terminal Company, Mr. Trahan worked at L & R Chartering, Oiltanking and Chevron/Unocal. He also spent several years in independent midstream development. His commercial leadership has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars to be invested in tanks, marine docks and infrastructure to service a variety of customers including major oil companies.