ABOUT US
Who We Are
The Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference (PBWIEC) is dedicated to advancing water management in the energy industry, bringing together experts from around the world to discuss innovative solutions and strategies. Our mission is to lead the conversation on water management within the energy industry, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing to drive sustainable solutions.
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.
Our Impact on Water management
The Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the energy industry by serving as a gathering point for industry leaders, innovators, and experts. Through focused discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in water management, the conference drives the adoption of sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, PBWIEC ensures that water resources are managed efficiently and responsibly within one of the world’s most vital energy-producing regions. Our commitment to these efforts strengthens the industry’s ability to meet the evolving demands of water management while promoting environmental stewardship.
Join the Leaders in Water Management Innovation
Join us in our mission to revolutionize water management in the energy industry by participating in the next Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference.
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.
Robert crain
Chair
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.
Ben Warden
Vice Chair
Ben Warden is currently the Director of Supply for Deep Blue Midstream. He has worked with the Rattler Midstream group under Diamondback for the past 8 years and has recently started with Deep Blue.
Ashley Kegley-Whitehead
Outreach Chair
Ashley Kegley-Whitehead currently serves as Chief Communications Officer for Infinity Water Solutions. Ashley is a strategic problem-solver, creative storyteller and radical collaborator whose work lives at the intersection of community and impact.
Richard Brantley
Immediate Past 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).
Kelly Bennett
Board Member
Co – Founder and CEO of B3 Insight, Kelly Bennett, has spent his career making obscure natural resource and commodity data usable for high-value decision making. Prior to B3 Insight, he built the global energy desk at BENTEK Energy (Platts) and co-founded Ponderosa Energy, an oil and gas market analytics company acquired by Enverus in 2016.
Jared Blong
Board Member
Jared Blong is one of Octane Energy’s founders and serves as its President and CEO. Mr. Blong has a diverse background in operations, risk management and business development, combined with a strong knowledge of the soft and technical aspects of the energy industry.
Whitney Dobson
Board Member
Whitney Dobson is a chemical engineer and the COO of Infinity Water Solutions. She has pioneered advancements in water infrastructure for the oil and gas industry, notably leading the construction of one of the first water recycling sites in Pecos, TX, and developing a beneficial reuse pilot program at Aris Water.
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.
Alan Van Reet
Board Member
Alan is a founding member of Pioneer Water Management LLC, leading operations and engineering since 2014. With a background in engineering and leadership at Pioneer Natural Resources…
Chad Unrau
Board Member
Vice President of Reuse at Aris Water Solutions, Chad Unrau brings over 15 years of expertise in engineering and technology leadership, driving innovation in sustainable water management. Read more about his impactful career and commitment to water sustainability.
Rick McCurdy
Board Member
Rick McCurdy is the Vice President of Innovation and Sustainability at Select Water Solutions, where he focuses on minimizing freshwater use and advancing produced water reuse technologies.
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.
Shane Walker
Board Member
Shane Walker, Director of the Texas Tech Water Resources Center and Professor of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, is an expert in water and wastewater engineering.
Katie Smye
Board Member
Dr. Katie Smye is a research associate professor at UT Austin and co-leads the Center for Injection and Seismicity Research (CISR). Her work focuses on analyzing induced seismicity, reservoir response to water injection, and assessing water injection capacity in the Permian Basin.
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.