Breakfast Forum: Perspectives on the Energy Industry 2019

James Baker – Managing Director, Global Co-Head of Investment Banking
and Capital Markets, Piper Jaffray

James Baker is the global co-head of investment banking and capital markets, as well as a member of the leadership team, of Piper Jaffray.

Prior to assuming his current role, Baker served as co-head of energy investment banking for Simmons Energy | A Division of Piper Jaffray℠. He joined Simmons in 2001 to help grow the firm’s midstream/downstream platform. He was later promoted to lead the midstream/downstream group and manage the upstream group, as well as serve on the Simmons’ board and management committee. During his tenure and in partnership with Fred Charlton, Simmons generated record banking revenues and upheld its position as a premier energy investment bank.

Prior to joining the firm, Baker held several positions within Koch Industries including director of Koch energy, leading corporate finance and corporate development initiatives for Koch’s energy businesses and chief financial officer of Koch Gateway Pipeline Company (now GulfSouth). Subsequently, he was a director for Alton Geoscience, consulting to refining and marketing companies on the West Coast.

Baker is a member of the advisory board of the Posse Foundation, Houston chapter. He holds a chemistry degree from Colorado College and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Matt McCarroll – Managing Director, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Fieldwood Energy LLC

Matt McCarroll is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fieldwood Energy LLC, a Houston-based company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Gulf Coast. Fieldwood is currently the 5th largest producer in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and is also one of the largest privately-owned exploration and production companies in the United States.

Prior to Fieldwood, Mr. McCarroll was the Founder and CEO of Dynamic Offshore Resources, LLC, which became one of the largest operators on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf from its inception in 2008 until its sale to SandRidge Energy in 2012 for approximately $1.3 billion. Prior to Dynamic, Mr. McCarroll was President of Maritech Resources, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TETRA Technologies, Inc. Mr. McCarroll was an original member of the senior management team of Plains Resources, Inc., holding several management positions including Vice President of Land and Exploration. Early in his career he also held positions with Great Southern Oil and Gas and Amoco Production Company.

Mr. McCarroll holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Louisiana State University. He is a member of The Dean's Advisory Council of the E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University and in 2015 was inducted to the college’s Hall of Distinction.

Laura Schilling – President, Pumpco Services

Laura Schilling is President of Pumpco Services, a Superior Energy Services company that delivers hydraulic fracturing and stimulation services in the US. Prior to joining Superior in 2017, Laura spent fourteen years at Halliburton primarily in Completions and Production services. In her last role, she led global commercial strategy for Production Solutions which delivered well intervention services across 20 countries. Her prior roles include District Manager in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin in Colorado and various leadership roles in product commercialization, business development, project management and investor relations.

Laura has been recognized for her contribution in oil and gas by Oil and Gas Investor as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Women in Energy” in 2017 and she was selected by Texas Executive Women for the 2018 class of “Women on the Move,” a diverse group of ten women across various industries making an impact in Texas.

Laura is a native Houstonian who graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and an MBA from Rice University. Laura is passionate about supporting women and veterans in the Houston community through Mission of Yahweh, Combined Arms and the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Laura currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association.