2026 Speakers

2026 Permian basin water in energy conference

The Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference drives conversation and collaboration to advance water management – how it’s moved, reused, financed, and regulated – across the entire energy value chain. As a program of The University of Texas Permian Basin, net proceeds directly benefit the future and UT Permian Basin students.

The 2026 conference will convene more than 55 speakers over two and half days – bringing together commercial executives, engineers, innovators, policy experts, lawmakers, capital partners and regulators, all to champion responsible resource management and sustainable solutions.

keynote speakers

Maynard Holt

Maynard Holt

Wednesday, April 8 – Lunch Keynote

 Maynard Holt is the founder and CEO of Veriten, a research, investing, and strategy firm focused on long-term energy markets and strategic decision-making. Built on the momentum of the widely followed Close of Business Tuesday podcast, Veriten brings together diverse perspectives from across the energy sector to inform investors and industry leaders. Holt previously served as CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. and brings more than 27 years of experience in energy investment banking and strategic advisory.

 

Nick Moriss

Morriss, Nick Headshot

Thursday, April 9 – Lunch Keynote

 Nick serves as Vice President of Business Development at Natura Resources, where he is advancing next-generation nuclear technologies from research deployment to commercial scale. His focus is market formation, strategic partnerships, capital alignment, and early adopter engagement to accelerate nuclear energy into industrial and grid applications.

 

Billy Murphy

Billy Murphy

Tuesday, April 7 – Welcome Reception Keynote

 Billy Murphy is Chief Executive Officer of University Lands, which manages 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral estate in the Permian Basin on behalf of the University of Texas System’s Permanent University Fund. The organization generates billions of dollars annually to support higher education across Texas. Before joining University Lands, Murphy served as Vice President and Executive Officer at King Ranch, Inc. and previously practiced energy law at Bracewell LLP.

 

Ray Perryman

Ray Perryman

Wednesday, April 8 – Opening Keynote 

 Dr. Ray Perryman is CEO of The Perryman Group, an economic research and analysis firm which has served the needs of some 3,200 clients over the past four decades. Some of his most gratifying work has been in the field of economic development, where he has played a role in the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs.

 

Christian Wallace

Christian Wallace

Wednesday, April 8 – Dinner Keynote

 Christian Wallace is a screenwriter and journalist from West Texas whose work explores the people, culture, and industries that shape the Permian Basin. Raised in Andrews, he worked on oil rigs outside his hometown before building a career in journalism. Wallace joined Texas Monthly in 2016, where he became a staff writer and senior editor, authoring multiple cover stories and earning three National Magazine Award nominations. He is the creator and host of the hit podcast Boomtown, which has garnered more than 7.6 million downloads, and co-creator of the Paramount+ series Landman with Taylor Sheridan.

 

Session speakers

Lesli Allison

Lesli Allison

Bennett, Kelly Headshot

Kelly Bennett

Luis Baez 240x240

Tracee Bentley

Bernard, Eric Headshot

Eric Bernard

Blong, Jared Headshot

Jared Blong

Richard Brantley

Richard Brantley

Lucy Brash

Lucy Brash

Cheben, Brittany Headshot

Brittany Cheben

Hannah Chittenden

Hannah Chittenden

Robert Crain

Robert Crain

Curry, Bill Headshot

Bill Curry

Mark Ellison Headshot

Mark Ellison

Brady Franks

Brady Franks

Freeman, David Headshot

David Freeman

Adam Friedman

Adam Friedman

Hadjeres, Hichem Headshot

Hichem Hadjeres

Harich, Chris Headshot

Chris Harich

Cody Harris

Cody Harris

Harley Henninger

Harley Henninger

Christian Herrington 240x240

Christian Herrington

Hosseini, Seyyed Headshot

Seyyed Hosseini

Hudson, Brian Headhsot

Brian Hudson

Kegley Whitehead, Ashley Headshot 1

Ashley Kegley-Whitehead

Kennedy, Damon Headshot

Damon Kennedy

Lake, Jordan Headshot

Jordan Lake

Landgraf, Brooks Headshot

Brooks Landgraf

Landgraf, Shelby Headshot

Shelby Landgraf

Lera, Ross Headshot

Ross Lera

Long, Vance Headshot

Vance Long

Adrianne Lopez Billings

Adrianne Lopez

Mao, Shujuan Headshot

Shujuan Mao

Adrianne Lopez Billings

Rick McCurdy

Varajesh Mehta Headshot

Vrajesh Mehta

David Michael 2

David Michael

Rob Moak

Robert Moak

Sara Morey

Sara Morey

Laura Ortiz Huerta

Laura Ortiz-Huerta

Pat Patton 240x240

Pat Patton

Brooke Paup

Brooke Paup

Isaac Ramirez

Isaac Ramirez

Stephen Robertson

Stephen Robertson

Sellers, Brian Headshot

Brian sellers

Adrianne Lopez Billings

Brian SHedd

Adrianne Lopez Billings

Katie Smye

Spurlock, Becky Headshot

Becky Spurlock

Staples, Todd Headshot

Todd Staples

Caleb Tash Headshot

Caleb Tash

Temple, John Headshot

John Temple

Jesse Thompson Headshot

Jesse Thompson

Paul Tough

Paul Tough

Alan Van Reet

Alan Van Reet

Walker, Shane Headshot

Shane Walker

Ben Warden

Ben Warden

Williams, Gregory Headshot

Gregory Williams

Annan Pascoe

Sandy Woodley

Wright, Jim Headshot

Jim Wright

Yates, Ira Headshot

Ira Yates