Ted Williams is President & CEO of the Rockport Companies, a family of companies he founded in January 2022 that includes Rockport Energy Solutions LLC, Rockport Oil & Gas Holdings LLC and Rockport Minerals & Royalties LLC. He also serves on the Boards of Rockport Oil & Gas I LLC, Rockport Permian Water Company LLC, Rockport Oil & Gas IV LLC and Rockport Williston Water Company LLC. 

Prior to establishing the Rockport Companies, Ted contributed his expertise as a member of the Strategic Technical Advisory Committee for Castlelake LP where Rockport Energy Solutions LLC managed the restructuring and later operations for two of their portfolio companies, EnCore Permian Development LLC and EnCore Permian Holdings LP.

Before working with Castlelake LP, Ted served as President of Luxe Minerals LLC and Vice President of Business Development for Luxe Energy LLC. During his tenure at Luxe, he and his partners raised $1,034,000,000 in partnership with NGP Natural Resources XI whereby they established a successful mineral and royalties acquisition company with Luxe Minerals LLC and a successful oil and gas operating company with Luxe Energy LLC. He also played a pivotal role in the successful close of NGP Royalty Partners I LP, which was NGP’s first minerals and royalty fund that closed an initial $320,000,000. Luxe Minerals LLC sold in October 2023 for $360,000,000 resulting in a 2.5x MOIC and 19% IRR for investors. Luxe Energy LLC was acquired by publicly traded Permian Resources (NYSE: PR) and shares ultimately liquidated in July 2024 for an undisclosed positive return to investors and the Luxe management team. In addition, he co-founded Arctic Fuel LLC, a thriving oilfield services company, in 2021, where his team has filed four distinct patents.

Prior to joining the Luxe companies, Ted served as Co-Head and Chief Operating Officer of Citigroup’s Energy A&D business division. He built the division from the ground-up and led a team of 35 technical and financial professionals dedicated to supporting all aspects of energy investment banking. He transitioned to Citigroup from RBC Richardson Barr, where he held the positions of Vice President of Engineering and Project Lead. Over the course of his career as an energy investment banker, he completed over $20 billion in transactions, including asset level divestitures and acquisitions, IPOs, Joint Venture structures, DrillCo financial structures, acquisition financings, SPACs, and corporate M&A. Deals to note include the $7.15 billion LBO of EP Energy, the Riverstone SPAC creating publicly traded Centennial Resources (now Permian Resources, NYSE: PR), and the IPO of Jagged Peak (now Exxon, NYSE: XOM). Prior to his investment banking career, he worked as a Reservoir Engineer and Petroleum Consultant for Cawley, Gillespie & Associates.

Ted is committed to service through his church and his community. He holds a position on the Vandegrift Vipers Lacrosse Board as the Vice President of Youth Programming, chairs the Safety and Security Committee for The Ridge at Grandview Hills HOA Board, and champions pro-Human organizations that advance Human flourishing such as Emergent Order, The Salem Center at UT Austin, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Ted is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served as a Scout Sniper attaining the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He resides in Austin with his wife of 21 years and their three children.

Chad Shirley is an accomplished CFO with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. Currently serving as the CFO of the Rockport family of companies, which includes Rockport Energy Solutions LLC, Rockport Oil and Gas Holdings LLC, and Rockport Minerals and Royalties LLC, Chad brings a wealth of financial expertise to the organization. He is currently a Board Member of Rockport Oil & Gas I LLC, Rockport Permian Water Company LLC, Rockport Oil & Gas IV LLC, and Rockport Williston Water Company LLC.

Prior to joining Rockport, Chad played a vital role in the financial operations on behalf of Castlelake LP covering two of their portfolio investments, EnCore Permian Development LLC, and EnCore Permian Holdings LP.

Over his 26-year career, he has held various financial and accounting positions with both public and privately backed producers to include Tradition Resources, Milagro Exploration, Mission Resources, and Ocean Energy. During his tenure at Tradition Resources, Chad served as Chief Financial Officer, where he managed all accounting and financial functions. His responsibilities included debt and treasury management, hedging execution, budgeting and planning, as well as interaction with the Board of Directors. Additionally, he oversaw human resources, insurance and benefits programs, and corporate administration, contributing to the overall success of the organization.

Chad Shirley earned his B.S. in Accounting from Louisiana State University and holds the designation of Certified Public Accountant (CPA). With his extensive financial knowledge and industry expertise, Chad has been instrumental in driving the financial growth and success of the Rockport Companies.

Chris Seegers is a seasoned Strategic Advisor affiliated with the Rockport family of companies, including Rockport Energy Solutions LLC, Rockport Oil and Gas Holdings LLC, and Rockport Minerals and Royalties LLC. With extensive experience and expertise in the industry, Chris has played a pivotal role in strategic decision-making, organizational strategy, and leadership development.

In his previous role as Chief Development Officer of EnCore Permian Holdings LP, Chris led the business development team in successfully acquiring over 10,000 net royalty acres of mineral holdings and more than 20,000 net leasehold acres in the Permian Basin. He demonstrated his proficiency by spearheading mineral and operated asset sales exceeding $100 million, achieving impressive multiples ranging between 2x and 5x.

Before joining forces with EnCore, Chris executed strategic joint ventures and drillco agreements with a publicly traded oil and gas company. His diverse experience also includes overseeing operations, contract negotiation, lease negotiation, and due diligence for various Permian Basin operators.

With a family background deeply rooted in oil and gas and commercial construction, Chris has actively managed his family’s assets for over a decade. He holds a B.A. in Equine Science, with a Minor in Business, as well as a Master of Business Management Practices from Colorado State University. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris finds joy in spending quality time with his best friend and wife, nurturing their three energetic children. As an avid entrepreneur, he utilizes his free time to explore new business opportunities while treasuring precious moments with his loved ones.

Davis Walker is the Senior Vice President of Exploration for the Rockport family of companies. With his extensive expertise in exploration and geoscience, Davis Walker is an invaluable asset to the Rockport family of companies with a proven track record for risking development opportunities, consistently geosteering Rockport wells to nearly 100% in zone, and effectively managing geo and drilling teams.

Prior to Rockport, Davis served as the Geoscience Manager for Luxe Minerals LLC and Luxe Energy LLC which were NGP Fund XI investments. Luxe Minerals was a successful transaction that sold for $360,000,000 yielding a 2.5x ROI for investors, and Luxe Energy was acquired by publicly traded Permian Resources (NYSE: PR) where shares were ultimately monetized to yield a strong return for investors. During his tenure, he expertly led a team of seven geologists and played a pivotal role in building the geo-model for Luxe Minerals' proprietary acquisition software. Davis conducted thorough geological assessments for 24 distinct transactions, contributing to the acquisition of 35,000 net acres in the Delaware Basin for Luxe Energy. Furthermore, his expertise in geo-steering was instrumental in guiding the drilling of 35 wells for Luxe Energy.

Before his time at Luxe, Davis held the positions of Senior Exploration Geologist and Senior Geologist of Acquisitions at Jones Energy, a publicly traded company at the time. In these roles, he employed advanced geologic and petrophysical modeling techniques to identify acquisition opportunities, develop basin evaluation plans, and design comprehensive field-wide development strategies in the Midcon Basin, with a specific focus on the STACK, SCOOP, and Merge fields. Davis' outstanding contributions earned him the prestigious Jones Chairman’s Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Company” in 2016.

Prior to his tenure at Jones Energy, Davis held the role of Geologist & Asset Manager at the Cinco Companies, a portfolio company of Yorktown/KKR/EnCap. In this capacity, he played a vital role in the acquisition, development, and successful exits of 20,000 acres in the Arkoma Basin, 15,000 acres in the Eagle Ford Basin, and 27,000 acres in the Powder River Basin. The cumulative proceeds from these sales reached an impressive total of $458,000,000.

Davis lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and children where he actively engages with professional organizations such as the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Young Professionals in Energy of Austin, and the Young Professionals in Energy of Dallas. Davis is an elite athlete who played high school football for Westlake, he is an avid outdoorsman, and an expert fly fisherman. Davis holds a B.S. in Geology from Baylor University.

Tyler Thomason is an accomplished professional serving as the Senior Vice President of Operations for the Rockport family of companies and is the Founder of CT Evolution LLC, an Austin-based oilfield tool company. Tyler’s extensive experience and accomplishments in operations and completions make him a valuable asset to the Rockport family of companies. His innovative thinking, technical expertise, and proven track record to hit or beat AFE contribute to the success of the organization.

Prior to Rockport, Tyler served as the Completions Manager for Luxe Energy LLC and invested with Luxe Minerals LLC, both were NGP Fund XI investments. In this capacity, he successfully designed and completed 35 wells in the Delaware Basin in Reeves and Ward counties, and consistently beat AFE by 5%. Tyler was also instrumental in establishing Axil Tools LLC, Luxe Energy’s tool company, which achieved profitability within 10 months, generated an annual cash flow of $3,000,000, and significantly reduced drilling, completions, and flowback costs for Luxe Energy. Luxe Minerals successfully transacted for $360,000,000 to yield a 2.5x ROI to investors. Luxe Energy was acquired by publicly traded Permian Resources (NYSE: PR) where shares were ultimately monetized to yield a strong return for investors.

Before assuming his role at Luxe Energy LLC, Tyler served as the Lead Completions Engineer for the Delaware Basin at EOG Resources. From 2012 to 2016, Tyler Thomason held the role of Team Lead for EOG’s 150,000-acre Eagle Ford asset, where he was at the forefront of evolving completion designs from gelfracs to 100 mesh proppant and slickwater designs. He successfully brought online 450 horizontal wells in the Eagle Ford, Buda, and Austin Chalk formations. In 2016, Tyler transitioned to EOG’s Delaware Basin asset, where he was promoted to Lead Completions Engineer and played a key role in bringing online over 100 horizontal wells in the Avalon, Bone Spring, and Wolfcamp formations. During his 9-year tenure at EOG, he held various operational roles encompassing drilling, completions, production, and reservoir engineering. Tyler’s experience spans the design, drilling, completion, and field management of over 3,000 wells. He played a significant role in bringing online over 600 horizontal wells in the Haynesville shale, the Eagle Ford shale, and the Delaware Basin.

Tyler resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and children. He is highly creative and holds multiple patents, is an expert guitar player, is an accomplished artist and a published author of a book. He actively contributes to the Central Texas Committee for the American Association of Drilling Engineers and earned his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering with a minor in Geology from Louisiana State University.

Scott Eads is a dynamic and accomplished leader in the energy industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Engineering at the Rockport Companies. With a wealth of experience and expertise, he has made significant contributions throughout his career. As a Partner at Grey Rock Energy Partners, Scott played a crucial role in evaluating acquisition opportunities and successfully invested $450 million of equity across three funds. His extensive knowledge spans various resource plays, including the Permian Basin, Williston Basin, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, DJ Basin, Piceance Basin, Marcellus, Anadarko Basin, and the Fayetteville.

Notable for his deal execution capabilities, Scott has successfully closed numerous deals with companies such as Oxy, Marathon, Penn Virginia, and Stone Energy. Under his leadership, Grey Rock Energy Partners achieved an impressive exit, selling their portfolio for $1.32 billion in 2022.

During his time at Statoil and XTO Energy, Scott spearheaded efforts to revolutionize frac designs, enhance single-well economics, and evaluate strategic acquisition and divestiture opportunities. In the Bakken formation, he led the transition to high-rate slickwater fracs, surpassing the traditional crosslink gel design and driving improved results. In the Fayetteville, Scott recommended tripling the size of fracs, resulting in doubled Estimated Ultimate Recoveries (EURs) and significantly improved returns. Known for his expertise in acquisitions and divestitures, Scott played a key role in evaluating deals totaling $2.1 billion while working in an A&D capacity. His astute analytical skills, strategic vision, and technical acumen have consistently yielded outstanding results for investors.

Scott holds a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. With his dedication, visionary leadership, and ability to drive innovation, Scott Eads continues to shape the energy industry and inspire the next generation of professionals.

Dylan Morales is a highly skilled engineer who plays a crucial role in the Operations Team at the Rockport Companies as Production & Completions Manager. Dylan brings nine years of diverse industry experience to the Rockport family with a strong focus on production and completions operations and facilities and infrastructure design and buildout. His expertise lies in identifying production uplift potential, implementing effective artificial lift strategies, and reducing operating expenses with efficient infrastructure implementation, making him an extremely valuable asset to the team.

Prior to joining Rockport, Dylan served as an Operations Consultant, providing his expertise to many Permian basin operators. He previously worked with publicly traded Parsley Energy in Austin as a Production Engineer for their Delaware Basin asset. Dylan led significant milestones, including the successful flow back of Parsley’s first ten well pad, before being chosen as a member of the extended transition team for the Parsley/Pioneer acquisition.

The majority of Dylan’s career was spent with Jagged Peak Energy, where he held the position of Operations Engineer for their Delaware Basin asset. During his time there, he played an integral role in the company’s growth and operations, overseeing production increases from 5,000 to over 50,000 barrels of oil per day. He led the Facilities and Automation department where he managed field facilities and implemented automation systems. Dylan also focused on artificial lift improvements and optimization, working on approximately 300 wellbores. His contributions were instrumental in Jagged Peak’s successful IPO and subsequent acquisition by Parsley Energy. He began his career at Denbury Resources, gaining valuable experience in production operations of conventional, water flood, and tertiary CO2 reservoirs, further enhancing his wellbore and operational expertise.

Dylan Morales holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station. He currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife and children. Outside of work, Dylan treasures quality time with his family and enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing and fly fishing.

Tyler Rheinlander is a highly experienced Senior Reservoir Engineer within the Rockport family of companies. Having previously served as the Senior Reservoir Engineer for the EnCore Permian companies, which are now managed by Rockport on behalf of Castlelake LP, Tyler brings a wealth of expertise to his current role.

Before joining EnCore, Tyler excelled as the Senior Asset Manager at Catena Resources LLC, a Carnelian portfolio company with valuable assets in the northern Delaware Basin of New Mexico. In this role, he demonstrated his proficiency in managing reserves reporting, determining borrowing bases, and conducting quarterly asset valuations. Additionally, Tyler conducted comprehensive technical studies to analyze well performance trends, optimize artificial lift systems, identify potential upside target zones, and oversaw rigorous well reviews and economic stress tests to drive asset development.

Prior to his tenure at Catena, Tyler made significant contributions as a Reservoir Engineer for Luxe Energy LLC and Luxe Minerals LLC. He played a pivotal role in building and establishing Luxe Minerals' proprietary acquisition model, focusing on the Midland and Delaware Basins. His invaluable contributions led to the creation of an exceptional mineral portfolio company, encompassing 15,000 net royalty acres with an impressive 99% in-pay status across 4,500 vertical wells and 2,500 horizontal wells. The portfolio boasts 100% title confirmation of ownership and generated $24,000,000 in cash flow by the end of its second year, all while maintaining zero debt and securing a $30,000,000 undrawn borrowing base. Tyler’s efforts contributed to a remarkable 13% ROCE and a projected yield of 20%. Furthermore, he played an integral role in the technical underwriting of the Luxe Energy development program, overseeing the successful execution of over 35 Wolfcamp A and Wolfcamp B wells in Reeves and Ward counties.

Tyler Rheinlander’s early career included Field Engineering and Production Engineering internships at Chesapeake Energy Corp, where he gained valuable hands-on experience in the Haynesville shale and the Mississippi Lime formations. Tyler holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering with a Minor in Geology from Texas A&M University. Furthermore, in recognition of his dedication and achievements throughout his youth, he earned the distinguished honor of Eagle Scout in 2012.

Brett Podkanowicz is an accomplished In-House Counsel within the Rockport family of companies. With his extensive experience as in-house counsel for the EnCore Permian companies, now under the management of Rockport on behalf of Castlelake LP, Brett brings a wealth of expertise to his current role.

During his tenure at the EnCore companies, Brett played a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition and divestiture of minerals, leases, and operated producing assets, totaling over $300 million in value. His keen legal insights and meticulous approach ensured successful transactions for the company. Prior to joining EnCore, Brett honed his legal and landman skills as an independent attorney in West Texas, where he conducted intricate title reviews and handled A&D due diligence for diverse clients.

Brett holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and its School of Law, respectively. During his time in law school, he was appointed as an Articles Editor for the prestigious Buffalo Law Review, showcasing his exceptional legal acumen. Brett is licensed to practice law in both Texas and New York, enabling him to provide comprehensive counsel across jurisdictions.

As an Advisory Board Member of the Institute for Energy Law (IEL), a prominent international legal organization, Brett actively contributes to the advancement of professional education, fosters meaningful discourse, and engages in impactful membership activities within the energy sector. In recognition of his exceptional capabilities, Brett was selected to participate in the IEL’s prestigious 2019-2020 Leadership Class, where he further enhanced his professional development and established lasting connections with prominent energy attorneys and professionals.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Brett enjoys engaging in thrilling activities such as playing hockey and skydiving, which exemplify his adventurous spirit and zest for life.