ABOUT US
Who We Are
The Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference connects industry leaders, experts and professionals to exchange best practices and cutting-edge approaches for the use of water in oil and gas production. Our mission is to facilitate collaboration and innovative strategy development for the improved use, recovery, and recycling of water in oil and gas production.
The Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference is a program of The University of Texas Permian Basin. The UT Permian Basin College of Business Advisory Council, with Jim Woodcock at the helm, planted the conference idea in 2017. Since then, the PBWIEC has grown into a sought-after networking event and annual marketplace of ideas. UT Permian Basin’s Shepperd Leadership Institute is now home to the PBWIEC, allowing students at UTPB to directly benefit from the conference proceeds.
Advisory Board
Jim Woodcock
Founder and chair emeritus
Jim previously owned Hy-Bon Engineering, for 27 years. While running Hy-Bon, he also served as Chairman of Teton Petroleum, a O&G production company listed on the American Stock Exchange. Additionally, he cofounded Renovar Energy, a waste to Energy company.
Richard Brantley
Board Chair
Richard Brantley joined University Lands in 1999, holding multiple positions within the organization prior to his current role as Senior Vice President of Operations. University Lands is a part of The University of Texas System and manages 2.1 million acres of land in 19 West Texas counties, which produces revenue that is deposited into the Permanent University Fund (PUF).
Steven Pruett
Vice chair
Steven H. Pruett is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Elevation Resources LLC, a Permian Basin focused exploration and production company which he co-founded in 2013.
Steve Beach
Board Member
Dr. Beach is Dean of the College of Business at the University of Texas Permian Basin. Since his arrival at UTPB, the college has experienced exciting growth, fostered by the dedication of its faculty and staff and the support of industry leaders in the Permian Basin.
Robert crain
Board Member
Robert Crain has served as Executive Vice President of Texas Pacific Water Resources since its formation. Prior to TPWR, Mr. Crain led water resource development efforts for EOG Resources across multiple basins, including the Permian and Eagleford.
Joseph de Almeida
Board Member
41 years with Occidental Petroleum – 30 years with the OxyChem Division, 5 years in Power Planning, and 6 years in Water Strategy & Technology. Background includes Manufacturing, Business Management, Commercial Development and Strategic Planning.
Matthew Gabriel
Board Member
Matt Gabriel is the Founder and CEO of XRI, an innovative water management, disposal, and recycling solutions company serving the world’s most sophisticated energy companies. Prior to XRI, Matt found and led several high-growth, innovative companies.
michele harmon
Board Member
Dr. Michele Harmon began her career working for two Fortune 500 companies, then transitioned to education, serving as a Director of Special Programs, Human Resources, and Career and Technical Education in three large urban school districts in Texas.
Jake Hendricks
Board Member
Jake Hendricks has sixteen years in the Midstream space of the Oil & Gas industry focused on Distribution and Commercial Negotiations.
Lisa Henthorne
Board Member
Lisa Henthorne, P.E. has 30+ years of experience working across six continents in advanced water treatment technologies and desalination of produced water, seawater, brackish and wastewaters.
STEPHEN MELZER
Board Member
Steve Melzer is a consulting engineer in Midland, Texas specializing in CO2 injection projects, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture utilization and storage, reservoir properties and horizontal well reservoir depressuring projects.
tim reed
Board Member
Tim Reed has been with the Water Team of Concho and now ConocoPhillips since 2015. Prior to that, approximately 35 years of Oil and Gas environmental and regulatory work with various companies.
brian shedd
Board Member
Brian Shedd is currently the Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and the Interim Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Texas, Permian Basin.
Ben Shepperd
Board Member
Ben Shepperd serves as the President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association based in Midland, Texas, since 2006. In that role he represents oil and gas interests before legislative and regulatory bodies in Texas, New Mexico, and Washington, D.C. He has more than 20 years of experience working on state legislative and regulatory issues.
Ben Warden
Board Member
Ben Warden is the Water Management Supervisor for Diamondback Energy and has worked for ConocoPhillips and Select Energy Services. Ben has a B.S. degree in Water Resource Management and an M.S degree in Geography from Texas State University in San Marcos.
Max wright
Board Member
Max Wright is a long-time Midland civil trial attorney with extensive experience in both oil and gas and personal injury litigation who practices with the Shafer, Davis, O’Leary & Stoker, P.C. firm in its Midland office.
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Dr. Sandra Woodley
President
Dr. Sandy Woodley brings strong experience in higher education leadership to UT of the Permian Basin. She also brings great insight and understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students. The first person in her family to earn a university degree, she married after high school and completed her education while working full-time and raising children.
Dr. Becky Spurlock
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and enrollment management
Dr. Becky Spurlock is the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at The University of Texas Permian Basin. Dr. Spurlock’s portfolio includes the Enrollment Management teams, comprised of Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, and Registrar.
Shelby Landgraf
Director of Community Engagement
Shelby Landgraf joined The University of Texas Permian Basin as Director of Community Engagement in July 2021. She brings more than a decade’s worth of experience in communications and community building to the table.