Speaker Title: Attorney & Counselor at Law
Speaker Company: Armstrong & Associates

Speaker #1 Bio: Jacqueline Armstrong has practiced employment law in Houston Texas for over 25 years with a focus on counseling and representing professionals in the oil and gas industry.  Both her father and husband made their careers in this business so she understands the industry and its cycles that impact employees.  She has negotiated employment contracts and severance agreements as well as litigated non-compete covenants.  Her practice also involves representing clients in civil rights cases involving disability, age, gender, race, national origin, and race discrimination.  Jacqueline has counseled both those wrongfully accused of sexual harassment and those who have been sexually harassed.  Recently, a jury unanimously awarded her client over $500,000 in compensation and punitive damages in a two-week sexual harassment trial.  Because some of her work involves representing small businesses, Jacqueline understands circumstances from both management and employee perspectives.

Event Description/Presentation Abstract: Contracts and Legal Issues Impacting Career
Most employees in the oil and gas industry have gone through employment interviews, signed agreements including non-compete, non-solicitation and anti-poaching covenants, and have also feared or been caught up in a reduction in force.  Some have experienced discrimination or harassment in the workplace and some have had to grapple with these problems as managers.  Ms. Armstrong will address key issues that members may encounter throughout all of phases of the employment relationship.

Speaker Title: President and President/CEO
Speaker Company:  Riverford Exploration LLC and PetroTex Energy Partners, LLC

Speaker #2 Bio: Bill Fairhurst has been involved in most U.S. resource plays prior to the resource revolution, is credited with economic discovery of the WolfBone and placing his company in Elm Coulee (Bakken) Field prior to its discovery.  He and his teams have discovered dozens of new fields throughout the United States.  Most recently he turned around an E&P firm from a $70 million loss into a $600 million dollar gain.  Previously he was a key Executive leader whom strategically advanced a $200 million firm into a billion dollar organization.  He has successfully led teams in technical and general management positions and as President/CEO and COO.  Bill has obtained equity and debt financing for multiple organizations including his own firms.

Event Description/Presentation Abstract: Getting Started in Consulting, Prospect Generation, Acquiring or Evaluating Assets
It is recommended that there are four main building blocks to your independent, upstream E&P LLC.  These can be used to build cash flow, assets and wealth for you and your family now and for the future while working your way back into employment, successfully achieving your place as an independent consultant, prospect generator or entrepreneur.  Each of these interrelated building blocks can be used on their own or together to accomplish your goals.  A roadmap includes: setting up an LLC, recommendations to initiate each step, specific experiences and successful outcomes.  You can do this.  In Part II next month we will address: Want to go bigger?  Develop a Team to Win Big!

Speaker Title: Senior Partner and President, Houston Office
Speaker Company: Energy Ventures               

Speaker #3 Bio: Jim Sledzik, senior partner and president of the U.S. office of Energy Ventures, has more than 26 years of experience in the worldwide oil and gas industry.  Energy Ventures was established in 2002 and has raised $950 millionof capital in five funds that target technology-driven, high growth potential companies in the upstream oil & gas sector. Sledzik currently serves on the board of directors of three portfolio companies: Wireless Seismic, Hicor and Sagerider.   Prior to his current position with Energy Ventures, Sledzik served as the Global Marketing & New Technology Director and Vice President of Multiclient Services for WesternGeco and as a Global Account Director for Schlumberger.  He holds an MBA in International Business, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh and a B.Sc. in Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University.

Event Description/Presentation Abstract: Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas
The downturn in the oil & gas industry has decimated many companies, with capital spending cuts and large layoffs.  However, the need for innovation has never been greater as the world requires more affordable and secure energy sources. This session will explore the role and risk profiles of entrepreneurs in this “brave new world” (TWD).  We will discuss the similarities and differences in entrepreneurism in the oil & gas sector versus Silicon Valley and provide advice/guidance on the many different decision points awaiting each new entrepreneur (Fundraising, equity structures, management team, company culture, business model, Intellectual property protection, exit plan, etc.)