Permian People August 2026

Hirings, promotions, and other personnel matters in the nation’s biggest oil patch, the Permian Basin, or in companies who do business here.

 

Bracewell LLP announced June 15 that Kevin Brophy and Ming Lei have joined Bracewell’s Houston office as partners in the oil and gas transactions group. The two partners bring complementary upstream and midstream practices built on years of advising private equity sponsors, family offices, investment firms and operating companies on oil and gas transactions. Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp said, “Kevin and Ming are highly regarded oil and gas practitioners with a broad range of upstream and midstream experience, and I’m thrilled to welcome them to the firm.” Brophy and Lei, both attorneys, joined the firm from Winston & Strawn LLP. Brophy, who co-chaired Winston’s energy and infrastructure group, brings a combination of transactional and in-house experience to his practice. Said Brophy: “Bracewell has a deep energy practice with the transactional, finance, tax, and environmental capabilities that our clients need. Ming and I were drawn to the firm’s collaborative culture and the strength of the team across those disciplines.” Lei advises clients on domestic and cross-border oil and gas and energy

transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, private equity investments, project finance and complex commercial contracts. Her practice spans upstream and midstream oil and gas, as well as the broader energy and infrastructure sectors. Said Lei: “Bracewell has a strong oil and gas practice and a collaborative culture where lawyers across departments work together on behalf of clients. That’s a great fit for the cross-border and domestic energy work that Kevin and I do. I’m excited to be here.”

 

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BP on June 9 set out its new organizational structure to “simplify the company, improve performance, and grow value for shareholders.” As of July 1, bp is organized around two distinct business segments—Upstream and Downstream—replacing the current three-segment structure. Gordon Birrell has been appointed executive vice president, Upstream; and Richard Harding will be interim executive vice president, Downstream. Both bring decades of operational experience and leadership to their roles. A recruitment process is under way to appoint a permanent EVP Downstream. Meg O’Neill, bp chief executive, said: “Over the past two months, I have spent time with our teams, partners, and investors around the world, and I am encouraged by the strong support for our strategic direction. Focusing BP around two distinct segments is an important step in accelerating delivery. It will reduce complexity and strengthen

execution. BP has an incredibly capable team, with deep expertise across the oil and gas value chain. We are capitalizing on opportunities across our portfolio, strengthening the balance sheet, and unlocking sustainable growth. We are moving firmly towards a simpler, stronger, and more valuable bp.” Upstream will bring together BPs oil and gas regions, including exploration, development, and production activities, streamlining how the company finds, develops, and produces the energy the world needs. Downstream will include refining, terminals, pipelines, mobility and convenience, biofuels, aviation, hydrogen, and Castrol, aligning how bp makes, moves, and sells its products.

 

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Frisco, Texas-based Downhole Chemical Solutions (DCS) announced June 2 the retirement of Cofounder Wayne Cutrer, who has served as CEO since the company’s founding in 2015. Cutrer will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. Zach West, former president of DCS, has been named Chief Executive Officer. The leadership transition, which took effect on May 22, 2026, marks an important milestone. Said Cutrer: “Eleven years ago, we set out to de-commoditize the commodity. What we built was so much more than a product—it was a team, a culture, and a mission. I couldn’t be prouder of what DCS has become, and I’m excited to support Zach and this incredible team from the Board as we write the next chapter.” West joined DCS as an engineering intern during the company’s founding and rose through the organization as Vice President of Engineering before being named President. Said West: “DCS is more than a company to me, it’s a cause. We’ve built something truly rare: a team of passionate people who care deeply about their work, our clients, and each other. My commitment is to honor that foundation while pushing us further than we’ve ever gone before.”

 

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Ro-Flo Compressors on July 1 named Travis Sixel as president of the company. The appointment follows the retirement of Co-Founder Brad Schuler from the role after 19 years of leadership. Schuler will continue to serve on Ro-Flo’s Board of Directors. Since joining Ro-Flo in 2011 as Director of Engineering, Sixel has played an instrumental role in the company’s growth, product development, and commitment to engineering excellence. Before joining Ro-Flo, he held engineering positions with a leading reciprocating compressor OEM and Caterpillar, bringing decades of industry experience to the organization. “Leading Ro-Flo has been an honor,” said Schuler. “What began as a small startup has grown into a company respected throughout the industry because of the dedication and talent of our employees. Travis has been an integral part of that journey for nearly 15 years, and I have complete confidence in his leadership as Ro-Flo enters its next chapter.”

 

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