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
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
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
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
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
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

Kelly Bennett

Tracee Bentley

Eric Bernard

Jared Blong

Richard Brantley

Lucy Brash

Brittany Cheben

Hannah Chittenden

Robert Crain

Bill Curry

Mark Ellison

Brady Franks

David Freeman

Adam Friedman

Hichem Hadjeres

Chris Harich

Cody Harris

Harley Henninger

Christian Herrington

Seyyed Hosseini

Brian Hudson

Ashley Kegley-Whitehead

Damon Kennedy

Jordan Lake

Brooks Landgraf

Shelby Landgraf

Ross Lera

Vance Long

Adrianne Lopez

Shujuan Mao

Rick McCurdy

Vrajesh Mehta

David Michael

Robert Moak

Sara Morey

Laura Ortiz-Huerta

Pat Patton

Brooke Paup

Isaac Ramirez

Stephen Robertson

Brian sellers

Brian SHedd

Katie Smye

Becky Spurlock

Todd Staples

Caleb Tash

John Temple

Jesse Thompson

Paul Tough

Alan Van Reet

Shane Walker

Ben Warden

Gregory Williams

Sandy Woodley

Jim Wright
