Confirmed To-Date. Listed in alphabetical order by last name.
MIKE DAVIS, Tribal Energy Consortium (TEC) Chairman
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Transmission (molecules & electrons); Infrastructure
KRISTIE L. FERGUSON, President, KLF Geological, LLC
LUNCH SPEAKER | Wednesday, September 16
Oil and Gas: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?
Kristie Ferguson has 20+ years of technical and applied petroleum geology experience in both conventional and unconventional plays throughout the world. She has a BS in Geology and Geological Oceanography from Oklahoma State and Humboldt State Universities and a MS in Petroleum Geology from the University of Kansas. Her career includes: Exxon (ExxonMobil), Samson Resources and Newfield Exploration. Kristie has held both technical and managerial roles across many teams. In 2013, she founded KLF Geological, LLC, located in Tulsa where she is the President.Kristie is an active member of AAPG (HoD Delegate, Sec-ED), TGS (Past President), TGS Foundation (Chairman), and the OSU School of Geology Advisory Board (Past Chairman).
GREG GUEDEL, Ph.D., J.D., Attorney at Law, Guedel Strategic Law
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Regulatory Navigation
Dr. Greg Guedel is a Program Director at the University of Washington and the founder of Guedel Strategic Law, which assists governments, businesses, and Indigenous communities with economic development and strengthening institutions. His research on economic development has been published and cited by leading media sources including The Economist, Bloomberg, Business Week, Newsweek, and National Public Radio. He conceived and drafted the groundbreaking Model Tribal Energy Code, which empowers Native American nations to self-govern their energy resources, and is the author of the book Strategies and Methods for Tribal Economic Development – Creating Sustainable Prosperity in Native American Communities. Prior to his legal career, Greg served as a Combat Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army’s 2nd Armored Division, 4th Infantry Division, and 81st Infantry Brigade.
AMANDA HILL, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Kiowa Tribe
Tribal Leadership Panel Member | Wednesday, September 16
Conversation Focus: Sharing Perspective
GARY W. HINES, MBA, PE, CAE, President, Switch Energy Alliance
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Workforce Development Pathways
Gary W. Hines is an executive leader with over 25 years of experience spanning energy systems and association management. As President of Switch Energy Alliance, he leads global efforts to close the gap between energy complexity and the decision-grade understanding that leaders, educators, and policymakers need to act responsibly. His career spans pipeline operations, research investment, and workforce development at organizations including the Pipeline Research Council International and the Southern Gas Association. A Certified Association Executive and Professional Engineer, Gary is recognized for his ability to translate energy system realities into structured, nonpartisan dialogue that drives progress over polarization.
KEN MCQUEEN, B.S. Interim Dept. Head of Petroleum Engineering, The University of Tulsa
Government & Regulatory Landscape Panel Member | Wednesday, September 16
Conversation Focus: Regional
Ken McQueen is an energy, environment and natural resource professional in the southwest U.S. with nearly 50 years of experience in government, industry and academia. He has held significant governmental and regulatory roles post-industry, most recently serving as the Oklahoma secretary of Energy and Environment. Prior to his work in Oklahoma, he served as U.S. EPA Region 6 administrator in Dallas, TX, and U.S. EPA National Energy Policy advisor. Before federal service, McQueen was New Mexico’s cabinet secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. McQueen currently serves on the Petroleum Engineering Industry Advisory Board and the College of Engineering Advisory Board at The University of Tulsa.
DWAYNE PURVIS, P.E., Founder & Principal Advisor, Purvis Energy Advisors
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Energy Planning
Mr. Purvis has been a reservoir engineer, entrepreneur, and executive in the oil industry for over 30 years, having led or participated in hundreds of engineering studies over dozens of basins in the United States and abroad. Originally trained as a petroleum engineer, Mr. Purvis recently earned a master’s degree in sustainable energy from Johns Hopkins University, and his current consulting work focuses on the decarbonization, decommissioning, and transformation of the oil industry.
MIKE STAFFORD,P.E., Asst. Professor of Practice of Petroleum Engineering, The University of Tulsa
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Orphan Wells
Mike is a Registered Professional Engineer (Oklahoma) and prior to coming to the University of Tulsa practiced Petroleum Engineering for 37 years in wells Ultra-Deep as well as in shallow wells in the MidContinent, Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain Regions. His experience includes reservoir, drilling, production, mid-stream operations and regulatory affairs. He earned his BS degree in Petroleum Engineering at The University of Tulsa in 1981 and worked in major and independent oil companies from 1981 – 2000 as well as operated Stafford Engineering, PLLC from 2000 – 2015. Mike is currently Assistant Professor of Practice at TU. He is a member of SPE, is currently a Board Member for the MidContinent Section of SPE and is a Steering Committee member of the Section’s bi-annual SPE-IOR Conference, an international conference held here in Tulsa. He is also a member of Society of Petrophysical Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) and serves on the Sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources (SOER) Education Committee.
RONNIE STEPHENS, Project Manager Western US/Solar, Williams Companies
Industry Perspective Panel Member | Wednesday, September 16
Conversation Focus: Sharing Perspective
Mr. Stephens has over 25 years of experience in engineering, process improvement, and project management/development functions. Experience includes implementing a formal stage gate project management process for a leading North American energy company in addition to having managed cross-functional project execution teams on five continents. His experience as the Global Manager of Engineering and Project Management for General Motors/Delphi, provided him with a unique perspective on how different cultures, values and belief systems can contribute to the success of a team and organization. Member of the Cherokee and Quapaw Tribes of Oklahoma, and chair of the Williams Indigenous Peoples Council.
NICHOLAS STUART, Mgr Director Energy Investment & Corp. Banking, KeyBanc Capital Markets
Engagement Lab Facilitator | Thursday, September 17
Conversation Focus: Financing Energy Projects
Mr. Stuart delivers strategic advice to oil & gas clients and has executed nearly 100 advisory and capital markets transactions for upstream companies. Prior to joining KeyBanc in June of 2012, Mr. Stuart was a Vice President in the Energy Investment Banking Group for Stifel Nicolaus for six years. Mr. Stuart began his career with KPMG LLP’s audit practice in Washington, DC, where he covered a variety of sectors, including natural resources, for four years. Mr. Stuart earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business.
DAVE WILLIAMS, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation
Tribal Leadership Panel Member | Wednesday, September 16
Conversation Focus: Sharing Perspective