Conversations Shaping What's Next

Tony Kroschewsky has served as Chief Executive Officer of Merit Advisors since 2021. Tony is also a Principal at B-29 Family Holdings, Merit’s financial and strategic partner. Additionally, he serves on the boards of MyWorkDoc Technologies, LLC and Crosswind Tech, LLC.

Before joining B-29 in 2018, Tony was a Senior Research Analyst at Brenham Capital Management, L.P. He previously served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Oil Patch Group, Inc., an SCF Partners portfolio company. Prior to that, Tony was an investment banking analyst at Wells Fargo Securities.

Tony graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

Mr. Wicklund is a Managing Director for PPHB, a Houston-based Energy investment bank active in Middle Market for all of Energy. Prior to joining PPHB, he was a Managing Director and Senior Banker in the Energy Group at Stephens Inc. He spent 15 years in the oil & gas industry, working in geophysics, reservoir engineering and operations around the world, living in Australia, Singapore, Milan, London a few times and of course Houston many times, with Western Geophysical, now part of SLB (Schlumberger), Sun Oil Company, McCord-Lewis, and Exploration Consultants Ltd (ECL).

He spent several years as an equity research analyst and Head of Energy Research at Rauscher Pierce, Banc of America and Credit Suisse as well as working as the energy portfolio manager at Carlson Capital, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund. He has been ranked #1 in Institutional Investors, WSJ Best on the Street, Greenwich #1 in Industry Knowledge and several other recognitions and awards. He is a member and past symposium chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), on the boards of the National Offshore Industry Association (NOIA), the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, the Energy ESG Council, Merit Advisors, Preng & Associates and the Maguire Energy Institute Advisory Board, at SMU his alma mater.

Mr. Schmitz has served as Chairman of the Board since January 2020 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Water Solutions since January 2021. He also served as Executive Chairman from November 2017 to December 2019 and as Select’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from November 2016 to November 2017. Prior to the Company’s combination with Rockwater Energy Solutions, Inc. (“Rockwater”) in November 2017 (the “Rockwater Merger”), Mr. Schmitz served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from November 2016 and served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of SES Holdings, LLC (“SES Holdings”) since we were originally founded as Peak Oilfield Services, LLC and began operations in 2007.

A fifth-generation Texan, husband, father of five, grandfather of twelve, courageous conservative, and successful businessman, Don Huffines brings a private-sector mindset to government. Guided by his deep Texas roots and his commitment to faith, family, and freedom, Huffines has spent his life fighting to protect taxpayers and advance conservative values. As a businessman, he has always followed a simple principle: see beyond the obvious and solve the real problem, not just the symptom. As Huffines often says, his life is guided by three priorities: Jesus, family, and business.

As a State Senator, Huffines was the only elected official who never took a penny of government money, no pay, no pension, no healthcare, no per diem, nothing. As Comptroller, he will refuse a salary and always put taxpayers first.

His tenure in the Texas Senate is best remembered for his fearless fight against government corruption. Huffines uncovered one of the largest government corruption scandals in modern Texas history: a $100 million agency that was stealing millions in taxpayer funds. Despite $1.3 million in lobbyist pressure to block his investigation, he persisted. His work led to six officials being sent to prison and the agency being shut down overnight, saving Texans tens of millions of dollars.

Now, Huffines is the Texas Comptroller, bringing business-minded discipline and urgency to Austin. He has a proven record of fighting for taxpayers and leading with courage when it matters most. Because of his record, Huffines has earned the endorsement of every major conservative and business organization in Texas.

After leaving the Senate, Don founded the Huffines Liberty Foundation, a research institute advancing liberty, prosperity, and virtue in Texas. The Foundation produces policy research, holds lawmakers accountable, and promotes conservative solutions for lowering property taxes, reducing regulations, and strengthening protections against government overreach.

Born and raised in Dallas, Huffines learned the value of hard work early, greasing cars for $2 an hour at his family’s business, Huffines Motor Company. After earning a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas, he co-founded Huffines Communities in 1985 which is now one of the largest real estate development firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For decades, he has built communities, created jobs, and helped thousands of Texans achieve the dream of homeownership. He built his business by running a lean operation, recruiting top talent, and treating every customer with respect. That same focus on efficiency and results is exactly how he will approach the Comptroller’s office.

Don and his wife of 37 years, Mary Catherine, have 5 children, Colin, Devin, Terence, Deirdre, and Russell, and are proud grandparents 12 times over.

Juan Carlos Puente serves as the Head of Finance at Blue Energy, bringing more than 25 years of experience across the global energy sector. His background spans Renewables, Oil & Gas, and Chemicals, supported by early career foundations in banking and management consulting.

Before joining Blue Energy, Juan Carlos was the Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, where he played a key leadership role in shaping the financial strategy of the company. Prior to that, he held several senior finance positions at Shell.

Michael Rivera is a Director at Merit Advisors. He specializes in driving project execution, leading complex consulting engagements, and building long-term client relationships that support growth and sustained value creation.

Michael brings over 10 years of consulting experience, with a strong focus on federal incentives and value-added advisory services for middle-market and large corporate clients. He has led full project life cycles, from scoping and planning through delivery, collaborating closely with executive stakeholders to align tax incentive strategies with broader business objectives and growth plans. Known for his client-first approach, Michael partners with organizations to uncover opportunities, simplify complex requirements, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations that resonate with both finance and operations teams. His background also includes business development experience in the Oil and Gas industry, where he developed and managed financial models for the firm.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Sam Houston State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at his alma mater.

Chris Combs is President and Chief Operating Officer of ElectriGen, where he is helping address one of AI’s greatest challenges—delivering reliable, scalable power for hyperscale data centers. With more than 25 years of experience in energy infrastructure, Chris has pioneered innovative natural gas-powered technologies and now leads the development of turnkey behind-the-meter power solutions that accelerate AI deployment while reducing dependence on constrained utility grids. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Petroleum Engineering graduate from Texas Tech University, Chris is a recognized leader in the convergence of energy, digital infrastructure, and next-generation computing.

Michelle Thompson is Hart Energy's power reporter. Based in Orange County, Calif., she has more than 15 years' experience in journalism, most significantly in energy space.

Senator Kevin Sparks is a dedicated public servant, conservative businessman, and community leader with deep roots in Midland, Texas. Elected to the Texas State Senate in 2023 for a four-year term, Senator Sparks has been a strong advocate for the priorities that matter most to West Texans. During his productive first two sessions in the 88th and 89th Legislatures, he focused on advancing energy reliability, improving water accessibility, strengthening healthcare systems, reforming foster care, and combating oilfield theft. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs and values of his constituents.

Kevin's passion for energy runs deep, rooted in his nearly 40-year career in the oil and gas industry. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985, he returned to Midland to join Discovery Operating, his family’s business. Starting as a pumper and roustabout, Kevin worked his way up to serve as Chief Executive Officer. His leadership in the energy sector has provided him with firsthand knowledge of one of West Texas's most vital industries, and he brings that expertise to his legislative work.

Equally dedicated to addressing community challenges, Senator Sparks is a strong advocate for foster care reform and the protection of vulnerable children. His efforts prioritize building a stronger, safer system for children and families. On matters of fiscal responsibility, Kevin champions efficient government spending that serves taxpayers without compromising critical services. He also works to enhance the quality and accessibility of health and human services, believing that healthy families are the foundation of strong communities.

For over 30 years, Kevin and his wife, Jill, have been active members of the Midland community. They raised their four children in Midland and now enjoy spending time with their several grandchildren. As members of Stonegate Fellowship, Kevin has served as an elder, and both he and Jill have mentored young couples and led small groups. In his spare time Kevin enjoys hunting, fly fishing and spending time with his family.

Sandy Segrist is Senior Editor, Natural Gas and Midstream, at Hart Energy, where he covers the infrastructure, markets and companies shaping North America’s energy sector. His reporting focuses on natural gas pipelines, LNG, crude oil and NGL midstream systems, major transactions, project development and the growing connection between energy infrastructure, power demand and global markets. He joined Hart Energy in 2023 following a stint in the Army and more than a decade working at newspapers throughout the U.S. He was born in Lubbock and graduated from the University of North Texas.

Brian joined Burk Royalty in 2022 and is responsible as VP of Corporate Development for acquisitions as well as reserves, capital formation and finance at Burk Royalty. Prior to joining Burk, Brian worked as Director of Engineering for Tailwater E&P, the in-house technical group for the private equity firm Tailwater Capital, and as a reservoir engineer for Headington Energy Partners.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M and a MBA from Rice University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer as well as a member of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers, currently serving as Vice-Chairman for the Dallas chapter.

Tony Kroschewsky has served as Chief Executive Officer of Merit Advisors since 2021. Tony is also a Principal at B-29 Family Holdings, Merit’s financial and strategic partner. Additionally, he serves on the boards of MyWorkDoc Technologies, LLC and Crosswind Tech, LLC.

Before joining B-29 in 2018, Tony was a Senior Research Analyst at Brenham Capital Management, L.P. He previously served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Oil Patch Group, Inc., an SCF Partners portfolio company. Prior to that, Tony was an investment banking analyst at Wells Fargo Securities.

Tony graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

Will Presson is the Founder of Merit Advisors and leads the firm’s Property Tax practice. Will manages clients’ property portfolios, working to minimize their annual property tax liabilities and ensure accurate valuations. With this focus, Will’s previous experience as Chief Appraiser for the Cooke County (Texas) Appraisal District benefits his clients significantly, as he frequently negotiates with city, county and state officials to achieve assessed value adjustments. Will also directs property tax return preparation, audits and appeals, and proactively secures tax abatements and exemptions for his clients. Additionally, he serves as the Senior Review Appraiser at Merit, reviewing and approving all appraisal reports, and is a court-recognized expert witness in valuation matters.

Will is a Texas-licensed Senior Property Tax Consultant, a Texas Department of Transportation-approved appraiser and a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Texas and Oklahoma. He is also experienced in Texas school finance and administration, having served as President of the Gainesville I.S.D. Board of Trustees.

Daron Fredrickson serves as Executive Vice President of Business Development at Merit Advisors. Daron manages clients’ property portfolios, working to add value in all possible areas. He negotiates regularly with officials at the city, county and state levels to maximize tax benefits for clients. He directs incentive operations, audits and appeals, proactively pursuing tax abatements and exemptions in addition to forming strategic partnerships. Working with industry trade associations, Daron also provides technical support on rule-making and legislation affecting taxation. He is a regular presenter at conferences and meetings across the United States and contributes articles on tax and valuation issues to various publications.

Prior to joining Merit, Daron was the Director of Indirect Tax at Chesapeake Energy Corporation. During his career, he has spent more than 20 years as a consultant and a decade in the corporate world. This diversity of experience gives him unique insight into businesses of all sizes and levels of complexity.

As a recognized leader in the tax industry, Daron has received the Distinguished Service Award from both the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association (OKOGA) and the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of LOGA and is the former chairman of its Tax Committee. Daron is also a former co-chair of the OKOGA Ad Valorem Tax Committee and the Texas Oil & Gas Association Minerals Subcommittee for Ad Valorem Tax. Additionally, he is a consultant for both the Louisiana MidContinent Oil & Gas Association (LMOGA) and the Advanced Power Alliance (APA). Daron has also been active with the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association and is a former member of its Board of Directors. He is a past President of the Oklahoma Association of Tax Representatives and formerly chaired the tax committee for the Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.

Drew Harrold is a Partner at Merit Advisors in the Property Tax Processes and Technology practice. Drew works with energy companies, manufacturers and real estate firms to manage their state and local tax liabilities. With his experiences as a contractor for Texas county appraisal districts, a corporate tax manager and a state and local tax consultant, Drew offers his clients the expertise they need to navigate the gamut of tax systems across the United States.

Prior to joining Merit, Drew’s state and local tax experience included managing property tax compliance, negotiating property tax valuations at the local and state levels, sales tax audit and refund reviews, merger and acquisition tax due diligence, and participation in various oil and gas trade organization tax committees.

Drew holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and an MBA in Energy from the University of Oklahoma. He is a past chair of the tax committees of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia, Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Marcellus Shale Coalition and Petroleum Association of Wyoming.

Kerry L. Creager, CMI, is the Senior Director – Indirect Tax at Phillips 66, responsible for Motor Fuels, Sales & Use Tax and VAT. Kerry has 30 years of indirect tax experience with prior roles as Director of Indirect Tax at Tesoro Refining & Marketing, Manager – Sales Tax at Deloitte and PWC, and as a sales tax auditor with the State of Texas. Kerry is active in IPT, is a long time API Excise Tax committee member, and is a former chair of the WSPA and API Excise Tax committee. He holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of North Texas, and was born at a very young age in Denton, TX.

Will Bader is a Partner at Merit Advisors. As the Houston sales tax practice leader, he manages one of the brightest teams of energy tax advisors in the state and local field today.

Will’s team prioritizes a collaborative approach to creating value for clients and wants to be viewed as an extension of each client’s team rather than a third-party provider. With expertise in refund studies, audit defense, due diligence and process automation, Will prides himself on the team’s track record of obtaining refunds and applying creative solutions to minimize risk and underpayments.

Will holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Texas, and he is active with industry associations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.

Michael Rivera is a Director at Merit Advisors. He specializes in driving project execution, leading complex consulting engagements, and building long-term client relationships that support growth and sustained value creation.

Michael brings over 10 years of consulting experience, with a strong focus on federal incentives and value-added advisory services for middle-market and large corporate clients. He has led full project life cycles, from scoping and planning through delivery, collaborating closely with executive stakeholders to align tax incentive strategies with broader business objectives and growth plans. Known for his client-first approach, Michael partners with organizations to uncover opportunities, simplify complex requirements, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations that resonate with both finance and operations teams. His background also includes business development experience in the Oil and Gas industry, where he developed and managed financial models for the firm.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Sam Houston State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at his alma mater.

Wayne Miranda is a Director at Merit Advisors in the Property Tax practice. He leads a team of experienced and dedicated consultants who focus on client service and adding value to their clients’ operations by limiting property tax liabilities and ensuring appropriate tax forecasting. Wayne brings unmatched experience in client engagement and satisfaction, enriched through a deep understanding of the energy and oil and gas industries.

Before joining Merit, Wayne worked for three years at an oil and gas equipment manufacturing company specializing in an engineered approach to drilling and completion equipment. Following his time in the oil and gas industry, Wayne spent eight years working with a national consulting firm specializing in capturing federal and state tax incentives for oil and gas, energy and manufacturing companies.

Wayne earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Chris Hosek is a principal of Texas Star Alliance, specializing in direct lobbying and state agency relations. Chris has experience with a broad range of legislative issues and policy initiatives including a specific expertise in the energy sector. Chris served as the chief of staff for 5 years to the Chair of the Railroad Commission of Texas. The Railroad Commission is the regulatory body that oversees Texas’ energy industries including all levels of the oil and gas industry, pipeline safety, gas utility rates and the permitting and reclamation of coal and uranium mines.

Prior to his work at the Railroad Commission, Chris served as the legislative director in the Texas House of Representatives for the 78th and 77th sessions. Chris served as the committee aide to the Appropriations Committee, responsible for drafting the state’s two-year budget. He also served as a committee aide for a member on the House Energy Resources Committee, where he received his background in the energy field. Chris served in various roles for elected officials where he managed and developed legislative issues. Other committees experience includes the Urban Affairs Committee and State Recreational Resource Committee.

Chris has met with numerous international trade delegations at the Railroad Commission. He also participated in several trade missions to Mexico, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Singapore, and Myanmar. In 2008, Chris was selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders as a delegate to participate in an overseas governmental exchange with Taiwan. In 2015, Chris was asked to lead the same organization to Indonesia, Malaysia and Qatar.

In 2019, Chris was also named D CEO Magazine’s “Innovator of the Year”. In 2018, Chris won Texas Oil and Gas Award for Service Excellence, the first energy lobbyist to win the award. In 2015, 2017, and 2019, Chris was ranked in the top “Power Ranking” by Capitol Inside, a Texas political publication. In 2013, he was recognized as a “Rising Star” on its 10th annual Texas Lobby Power Rankings. Also, in 2013, the Austin Business Journal named him “Who’s Who in Energy”.

In addition to serving the legislative needs of his clients, Chris’ involvement with the community is robust. Chris was appointed to serve on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multi-state government entity that is viewed as the authority on domestic oil and gas issues. Chris has also served as an Urban Transportation Commissioner for the City of Austin. In addition, he sits on the board of Ballet Austin and is a Board Member for the Lone Star Success Academy, which improves the lives of troubled, at-risk, and vulnerable Texas youth by offering an alternative education. He serves as a Trustee for the American Council for Young Political Leaders, a Washington D.C.-based organization that implements unique international exchange activities for political leaders worldwide. He is active in the Texas State Alumni Association and the Phi Delta Theta Alumni Association. Chris and his wife, Chandra, live in Austin, Texas.

Mike is a 1990 graduate from USL (now UL), with a degree in Business Administration. After college, he obtained a job at Reed Tool Company as a drill bit salesman and worked in both Lafayette and Houma.

In 1994, Mike joined forces with his father's business, Moncla Well Service, a workover company with seven workover rigs. For the next 15 years, Mike, his father Charlie, and the rest of the Moncla family grew their family business through 11 acquisitions into the largest privately owned workover company in the United States. Mike was Chief Operating Officer for the business that serviced seven different states. In late 2007, Moncla Companies sold its business to Key Energy Services, where Mike then served as Division Manager for Key Energy's Southeastern US Division. In 2010, Mike, along with his two brothers & uncle, got back into the family business again by purchasing their previously owned 6 workover barge rigs back from Key Energy. Today, Moncla Workover & Drilling operates 27 land rigs with offices in Lafayette LA, Laurel MS, Giddings TX, Victoria TX, and Seminole TX.

In 2020, Mike took on the role as President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, fighting on behalf of industry at the state Capital for everything oil & gas. Mike currently holds board seats at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Business & Industry, and sits on the Advisory Board for the LSU College of Energy Studies. He is the Past Chairman of the Lourdes Foundation, and Past Chairman of the St. Thomas More Foundation. He is a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He is married to his wife of 28 years, Cathy and has one daughter, Millie.

Jay Adams is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and leader of the state and local tax team at Jones Walker LLP. Through partnering with his clients, Jay has developed a broad knowledge of the energy, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and retail industries that allows him to provide comprehensive and cost-effective advice in those areas.

For more than 25 years, Jay has represented clients in matters involving virtually every type of state and local tax and in numerous jurisdictions. He has successfully represented clients in landmark Louisiana tax cases before the Louisiana Supreme Court and courts of appeal, including the high-profile matters International Paper Company v. Bridges and Tin, Inc v. Washington Parish. In those cases, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued rulings that have resulted in tax savings and refund opportunities in the tens of millions of dollars for businesses operating in the state. Jay speaks frequently to a variety of professional organizations, including the Institute for Professionals in Taxation, the Council on State Taxation, and the Tax Executives Institute. He is also a founder and editor of Cooking with SALT, a legal blog committed to providing timely insights on recent legal and practical developments concerning clients in many state and local taxing jurisdictions on matters involving income, franchise, net worth, gross receipts, sales/use, business and occupational license, severance, ad valorem property, and other miscellaneous taxes.

Kimberly Cribbis a finance and accounting leader with more than 25 years of experience in the energy industry and public accounting. As Controller and Treasurer of Sequitur Energy Resources, she provides financial leadership that supports strategic decision-making, operational performance, and long-term value creation.

Her expertise includes financial reporting, corporate governance, internal controls, process improvement, and oil and gas accounting. Throughout her career, Kimberly has focused on building strong finance organizations, developing high-performing teams, and aligning financial strategy with business objectives.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Kimberly is passionate about helping finance professionals strengthen accountability, drive business performance, and create sustainable organizational success.

ANDREW L. WAMBSGANSS, is a native Texan and resides with his wife and family in Southlake, Texas. Mr. Wambsganss was admitted to State Bar of Texas, 1991; United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1992; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1993; United States District Court, Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas, 2003; Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2004.

Education: University of Texas- Arlington (B.A. with high honors, 1988); University of Texas-Austin (J.D., 1991); Phi Delta Phi

Present/Past Experience & Service: Briefing Attorney – Second Court of Appeals (Justice Hal M. Lattimore); Mayor, Southlake, Texas; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Legal Counsel Division; Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas; Mayor Pro Tem, Southlake, Texas; City Council, Southlake, Texas; Judge, Southlake, Texas; President, Southlake Crime Control and Prevention District; NTTA, Director; Airport YMCA, Director; United Way Accent International Radio, Inc., Director; Metroport Cities Fellowship, Director.

Memberships: State Bar of Texas; Tarrant County Bar Association; Tarrant County Mayor’s Forum; Northeast Leadership Forum; Texas Municipal Courts Association; American Association of Corporate Counsel; International Trade Bar Association; World Exporters/Importers Organization; Ripon Scholar; and Federalist Society.

Legal Background: Mr. Wambsganss has a background in representing energy related companies as well as handling mergers/acquisitions, international trade matters, commercial litigation, governmental relations and regulatory issues, real estate matters, insurance litigation, construction related litigation, insurance coverage issues, appellate law, and public law issues. Mr. Wambsganss is recognized annually by various national and local legal publications. Mr. Wambsganss has obtained the highest possible legal peer review rating (“AV”)– said peer review rating reflects the confidential opinions of the Bar and Judiciary in grading an attorney’s ethical standards and legal ability.

Mr. Wambsganss has served as the Mayor of Southlake, Texas and prior to that on the Southlake City Council and as a judge in the community. Mr. Wambsganss worked for Dick Armey (Majority Leader, United States House of Representatives and Representative of the 26th Congressional District of Texas) in the Majority Leader’s initial congressional campaign (1984) and in subsequent congressional campaigns as well as in Majority Leader Armey’s district and Washington, D.C., offices. Following this service, Mr. Wambsganss attended the University of Texas School of Law and worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in Washington, D.C., prior to joining the Second Court of Appeals of Texas in 1991 as a briefing attorney for Justice Hal M. Lattimore. Following completion of his judicial clerkship with the Court, Mr. Wambsganss joined his current law firm (Brown Pruitt Wambsganss Dean Forman & Moore PC), as an attorney– becoming a shareholder/partner in 1995. Mr. Wambsganss also serves as legal counsel to many businesses, churches, ministries and non-profit entities.

Mr. Buchanan is the Managing Partner of PPHB and has been with the firm since 2006. He began his career at PPHB as an Analyst and advanced through the roles of Associate and Vice President before being promoted to Partner in 2014. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Buchanan has played a key role in the firm's growth and success.

Having grown up in the energy industry, Mr. Buchanan has maintained a lifelong passion for the sector, which continues to influence his work and investment approach.

Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons and taking advantage of any opportunity to be outdoors.

Mr. Buchanan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.

Chris Vasso is a regulatory accounting and integration leader with more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry. At Flywheel Energy, he oversees multi-state severance, ad valorem, and sales-and-use tax compliance, along with federal (ONRR) and state royalty reporting.

Chris also leads Flywheel's Integration and G&A Optimization team of seasoned accounting professionals who integrate newly acquired assets and drive automation and AI enablement across the finance organization.

Before joining Flywheel, Chris led Production, Revenue, and Regulatory Accounting at Maverick Natural Resources, following nearly a decade at Devon Energy.

Known for a collaborative leadership style, Chris is focused on equipping his team, standardizing complex processes, and building integration and compliance that scale with the business.

Curtis Osterloh is a nationally recognized Texas tax lawyer and the state and local tax practice leader at Scott Douglass McConnico (SDM). Curtis has spent his entire 30-year legal career at SDM, beginning as a law clerk in 1995, becoming an associate after graduating with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1997, and making partner in 2001.

Before joining SDM, Curtis obtained his CPA and worked for the IRS as a revenue agent after graduating from Boise State University in 1991. Today, Curtis guides Texas taxpayers through their most complex disputes with the Texas Comptroller’s office and the Texas Attorney General. His client roster spans industries and Texas icons including Exxon, Chevron, Spotify, Expedia, HCA Healthcare, Williams-Sonoma, Air Liquide, Waste Management, TETRA Technologies, BrandSafway, the San Antonio Spurs, SXSW, ACL Music Festival, Targa Resources, Wine and Country Gift Baskets, and hundreds of medium and small taxpayers across the Lone Star State.

Some of his current significant Texas matters include:

• Lead counsel in a $120 million condensate severance-tax refund lawsuit and a $20 million severance-tax assessment contest on behalf of Pioneer Energy;

• Representing Integrated Power Services (IPS) in Texas franchise-tax case regarding cost-of-goods-sold treatment;

• Representing HCA Healthcare in a Texas medical-devices exemption case pending at Travis County district court;

• Representing Waste Management in a Texas recycling-exemption refund lawsuit;

• Representing Air Liquide in both a managed audit and sales tax audit protest;

• Representing BrandSafway in a managed audit while protesting other related pending sales and use tax audits;

• Representing Targa Resources—a leading Texas midstream energy company—in a wide number of Texas sales-and-use-tax audits pending on administrative appeal; and

• Representing California-based Wine and Country Gift Baskets in multiple Texas sales-and-use-tax audits pending before the Comptroller’s office

Curtis has a unique ability to resolve tax disputes, having settled hundreds of matters with both the Texas Comptroller and the Texas Attorney General’s office. His ability to combine technical expertise, credibility, and negotiation skill often produces results that exceed expectations. His results include securing a complete 100% recovery for TETRA Technologies in a sales tax dispute pending in Travis County district court, persuading the Comptroller to waive local-tax adjustments in multiple Williams-Sonoma audits, and achieving favorable resolutions in well over 95% of settlement matters presented to the Comptroller’s Chief Settlement Officer group. Across his career, Curtis has successfully resolved more than $1 billion in tax assessments, delivering extraordinary results for clients across industries.

Curtis’s practice is built on a Texas-first philosophy: finding the most efficient pathway to resolution while weighing the costs and benefits of settlement versus litigation. When necessary, he and his team vigorously contest tax assessments, representing clients through audits, appeals, and full litigation. Given venue for all Texas tax litigation is mandatory in Travis County, SDM’s deep Texas roots and reputation as a litigation boutique uniquely situate the firm to represent taxpayers in these disputes.

Beyond the courtroom, Curtis is a respected voice on tax policy. He regularly speaks for the Council On State Taxation at their annual conferences. He has also spoken before the Texas Bar, the Texas Nightclub Alliance, the Texas Society of CPAs, and the Tax Executives Institute. He is a member of the Texas Comptroller’s advisory group, the Austin Tax Study Group, and a longstanding member of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Outside of law, Curtis loves to travel and does his best to stay healthy usually listening to the soundtrack of ’80s music. He is also a passionate student of history, with interests ranging from World War II, the Civil War, presidential politics, and ancient Rome. He resides in Austin, Texas.

Mr. Weinberg is a Founder and Managing Director of ECS with more than 33 years of investment banking experience for the energy industry. Prior to starting Energy Capital Solutions in 2001, Mr. Weinberg primarily advised public energy companies while a managing director with RBC. He has focused his career on covering energy-related companies. Mr. Weinberg has generated and executed more than 300 public and private equity, debt and advisory transactions totaling over $20 billion. Mr. Weinberg received a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and a M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University.