The 64th Annual Meeting of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association will give all those in attendance the chance to listen to and ask questions of a variety of experts who will present on the top issues confronting the industry. Attendees will also benefit from projections on our industry moving forward from those in the know. The meeting is slated for Sept. 16-17, with the 16th being given over to an evening welcoming reception at the Petroleum Museum in Midland. The sessions on the 17th, which include a buffet breakfast and a banquet-style lunch, will be hosted at the Petroleum Club of Midland.
Whether you’re looking to stay informed on the latest industry developments, expand your professional network, or engage with fellow energy professionals, the PBPA Annual Meeting offers something for everyone. See the accompanying Q&A for details as they were known as recently as Aug. 8. And if you have any questions not answered here, go to pbpa.info for details or contact jamie@pbpa.info.
Stevan Pearce
Freshly installed (May 19) as the 20th Director of the Bureau of Land Management, Stevan Pearce will share his views as part of the morning program of the 17th. Born in Lamesa, Texas, he was raised in Hobbs, N.M., by a sharecropper-turned-oilfield laborer. Steve learned the value of hard work early in life. While at New Mexico State University, he was elected president of the student body. Steve also attended Eastern New Mexico University. He earned degrees in economics and business administration before joining the United States Air Force in 1970. As a combat pilot in Vietnam, he logged more than 500 combat hours and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.
In 1989, Steve and his wife Cynthia purchased a small oilfield services company and expanded it tenfold within a decade. Elected to Congress in 2002, he represented New Mexico’s 2nd District for 14 years, advocating for veterans and working families. In 2016, he solo circumnavigated the globe in a single-engine aircraft, dedicating the journey to U.S. service members.
Missi Currier
Missi Currier, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA), will be one of two speakers to fill the early (breakfast) sessions on the 17th. In announcing her appointment at NMOGA, the organization stated that Currier “is known for her strategic vision and dedication to fostering mutually beneficial relationships among stakeholders.” Previous to her appointment at NMOGA, Missi served as president and CEO of Economic Development Corp. of Lea County, N.M. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
In a letter to the Santa Fe New Mexican earlier this year, Currier, who was raised in Carlsbad, N.M., wrote, “I love New Mexico. I love its people, its landscape, and its stubborn independence. The oil and gas industry I represent is made up of people just like me: New Mexicans who were born here, who raised families here, who chose to build their lives and livelihoods here.” She added, “The Permian Basin is one of the most productive energy regions on the planet…. The work being done in southeastern New Mexico—by New Mexicans, on New Mexican land under New Mexican regulations—matters enormously not just for our state, but for our nation’s energy independence and beyond.”
Edith Naegele
Like Currier, Edith Naegele will take a turn speaking in the New Mexico and Federal Breakfast Update. Naegele is the president and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). For nearly 100 years, IPAA has been the voice of America’s independent oil and gas explorers and producers. Today, independent producers develop 85 percent of onshore crude oil and 90 percent of America’s onshore natural gas.
Prior to joining IPAA, Edith served as Vice President, Membership and Strategic Development, for the American Gas Association (AGA). AGA represents more than 200 local energy companies committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to more than 79 million customers throughout the nation. Under Naegele’s leadership, AGA greatly expanded their outreach to the financial community and helped position gas utilities in global markets with investors.
Edith worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce defending business in Washington and in the states and in the court of public opinion for nearly 20 years. She holds a Master of Arts from The George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs, and a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Oregon.
Brendan McCracken
Brendan McCracken will be a special guest for the traditional afternoon session that focuses on the perspectives of a successful Permian Basin CEO. Brendan has served as president and chief executive officer of Ovintiv since 2021. He leads the company’s strategy and execution across its North American portfolio, setting clear priorities and maintaining a disciplined approach to decision-making that supports long-term value creation. Since joining Ovintiv 30 years ago, Brendan has held senior leadership roles across the United States and Canada. Over his career, he has helped strengthen Ovintiv’s technical and operating capabilities and supported the development of a health and safety culture that prioritizes people and performance.
Brendan is active in industry leadership and collaboration. He is chairman of the American Exploration and Production Council and serves on the executive committees of both the American Petroleum Institute and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. He is also a board member of the Permian Strategic Partnership. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Queen’s University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford.
Christi Craddick
Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick will deliver the luncheon keynote address during the Sept. 17 (Thursday) session. Since her tenure on the Commission began in November 2012, Christi has pushed to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an energy industry that is driving the state’s unparalleled economic success. In the process, she has repeatedly proven that sensible regulations, careful listening, and plain talk can foster innovation that has solidified Texas leadership in the energy sector.
Christi has fought against Washington’s one-size-fits-all environmental policies that would kill jobs and stifle energy production growth. Christi has advocated for recycling in the oilfields, helping to drive the percentage of reclaimed water upwards. As part of her efforts to modernize the agency, she has championed an Information Technology overhaul at the Commission.
A native of Midland, Christi earned both her Bachelor’s Degrees as a Plan II graduate and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin. During her career as an attorney, she specialized in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation, and environmental policy.
Related: What to Expect: A Q&A with PBPA President Ben Shepperd
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