Patrick Traylor is the Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance in Washington, DC. Patrick works with senior leadership at EPA, the Department of Justice, the enforcement offices at EPA headquarters and the regions, and tribal and state enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with environmental laws and to promote the cleanup of contaminated sites.

Prior to joining EPA, Patrick was a partner in the environmental practice at Hogan Lovells in Washington, DC and Houston. There he focused his practice for more than twenty years on air quality enforcement defense and obtaining air quality permits for complex, capital-intensive construction projects.

Patrick is a graduate of Texas A&M University, received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, and received his Master of Law and Letters degree in environmental law from The George Washington University School of Law.

Dominic Macklon is president, Lower 48. In this capacity, he oversees the company’s Lower 48 operations, including the Gulf Coast Business Unit, Great Plains Business Unit, land and commercial gas activities, HSE, finance and human resources.

Macklon has more than 25 years of oil and natural gas experience. He previously served as vice president, Corporate Planning and Development, and in other leadership roles with the company, including as president, ConocoPhillips U.K. and senior vice president, Oil Sands.

He began his career with Conoco in 1991 and worked in a variety of engineering and business development positions in the U.K. supporting oil and gas operations in the North Sea. He then held several operations and business development roles in the United States, Australia, Norway and Canada.

Macklon received a bachelor of engineering in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh in 1991.

Ken McQueen is the Administrator for EPA's Region 6 office in Dallas. Region 6 serves Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 tribes. Ken has extensive experience in public service and industry working in the south central region of the United States on water, natural resource and energy issues. Most recently he served as the state of New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) from 2016 to 2018, where he worked to streamline rules and regulations.

Prior to serving as New Mexico’s EMNRD Cabinet Secretary, Ken worked as Vice President of Williams / WPX Energy from 2002 to 2016, managing the company’s assets in New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. During that time he also served as an adjunct professor in petroleum engineering at the University of Tulsa. He served as a joint venture engineer for Vintage Petroleum Inc. from 1994 to 2002, managing all non-operated properties across 12 states and multiple basins. Ken also worked as a petroleum engineer at Amerada Hess Corp. from 1982 to 1994.

Ramón Alvarez, Ph.D. works with the Chief Scientist to guide EDF’s scientific priorities and ensure its work is on the cutting edge of scientific thought. Since 2008, he has worked to better characterize and reduce air emissions from oil and natural gas operations.

Previously, he promoted cleaner air in Texas cities, with an emphasis on reducing emissions from electric power plants and diesel vehicles. He led EDF’s campaign to establish the Texas Clean School Bus Program and assisted U.S.-Mexico border industries to find cost-effective methods to reduce waste.

Areas of expertise: Climate/methane science, air quality, oil and gas

Dr. Kinney is the Executive Director of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. He has been with the Board for over fifteen years and is responsible for all agency programs and activities, including legislative, rule, budget, and policy issues, and represents the Board at statewide, national, and international functions. He also gives licensing and ethics outreach presentations all over the state at universities, companies, and associations.

Prior to working at the Board, he worked in the semiconductor industry for 11 years. He has a Bachelors Degree in Physics from the University of Texas, a Masters Degree in Industrial Technology from Texas State University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction focused on Learning Technologies from the University of Texas. He has lectured as an adjunct professor in the Engineering and Technology Department at Texas State University and Electronics and Advanced Technologies Department at Austin Community College

Brian Pugh Currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for BPX where he is responsible for production operations. Brian joined BPX in 2015 from SandRidge Energy where he served in a variety of operational positions including Vice President of Production Operations for their Midcontinent business unit. Brian began his career in the industry working for Shell where he served in various engineering and operational roles.

Prior to joining the industry Brian served our country as an Active Duty Combat Engineer Officer in the United States Army. His five years of military service included a tour in Iraq, where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal.

He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 2002.

Governor John Bel Edwards named Dr. Chuck Carr Brown Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in January 2016. Dr. Brown previously worked at LDEQ in the mid-2000s, serving as Assistant Secretary for Environmental Services.

Brown earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Southern University A&M College and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy/Environmental Policy from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Southern University A&M College.

Prior to rejoining LDEQ, Brown held positions as President/CEO of Brown and Associates, LLC, a firm specializing in delivery of environmental services, governmental relations and issue management; Vice President of Metro Service Group, a New Orleans-based firm that consults in waste collection, vertical and horizontal construction and emergency response; and President/COO of Community Resource Services, a Mississippi firm that develops capacity and capabilities of minority-owned businesses.

January 2017, Austin Caperton was appointed by Governor Jim Justice as Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Combining extensive executive experience with engineering and law degrees, Mr. Caperton has provided strategic direction, acquisition, disposition, financing, workout, and project-oriented services to clients primarily in the coal, energy and related fields. Since 1989, Mr. Caperton has generated and managed transactions for clients and consulted on a wide range of management functions, including operations, sales and finance.

WVU College of Law (1976)
Virginia Tech Mining Engineer (1973)

CORPORATE EXPERIENCE
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Development Officer
Vice President Operations
Corporate Administration
Corporate Finance

LEGAL & ADVISORY EXPERIENCE
General Corporate
Mergers & Acquisitions
Transaction Management
Mineral Properties
Mineral Leases

President, Caperton Energy Company (1989-Current). Provides strategic direction, acquisition, disposition, financing, work-out, and project oriented services primarily to coal, energy and related clients.

Manager, Tapper LLC (2003-4). As sole principal negotiated, structured, financed and operated a mining operation for Peabody (NYSE = BTU).

A.T. Massey Coal Co., Vice President Development (1988-89). Responsible for corporate development.

A.T. Massey Coal Co., President, West Virginia Resource Group (1986-88). Responsible for regional development and operating performance of four producing subsidiaries with gross revenues of $250,000,000 including Elk Run Coal Company, Omar Mining Company, Peerless Eagle Coal Co. and Wyomac Coal Company. Managed the presidents of those subsidiaries and worked to develop strategic plans for acquisitions and growth, as well and tactical plans for increasing profitability.

A.T. Massey Coal Co., Vice President Operations - Tennessee Consolidated Coal Co. (1984- 1986). Responsible for operations management of 2,000,000 tpy coal operation consisting of a preparation plant, several underground mines and a surface mine with a total of over 400 employees.

A.T. Massey Coal Co., Corporate Counsel - Massey Coal Services (1983-1984). Served as corporate counsel for Massey operating subsidiaries

A.T. Massey Coal Co., Secretary - Fluor/Shell Partnership Committee (1983-1987). Staff position, responsible for minutes and records of the Partnership Management Committee composed of four representatives each from Royal Dutch Shell and Fluor Corporation.

Slab Fork Coal Co., President (1980-1983). Slab Fork was a low-volatile metallurgical coal operation involving multiple mines and multiple preparation plants with sales in excess of $50,000,000. Divested a major land development subsidiary and doubled the mining asset base through an acquisition of neighboring Westmoreland Coal Co. assets. Responsible for all aspects of the company including sales, finance and operations. Managed cash flow, capital expenditures, debt facilities, leasing facilities, working capital facilities as well as standard financial operations. Slab Fork Coal Co., Executive Vice President (1978-1980). Responsible for all aspects of the company including sales, finance and operations.

Slab Fork Coal Co., Assistant Vice President (1976-1978). Reported to VP Mining and assisted management of all mining operations of the company.

DIRECTORSHIPS
Beckley Area Foundation (Past)
Beckley - Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce (Past)
Forward Southern West Virginia Inc. (Non-Profit Economic Development)
Raleigh County (WV) Solid Waste Authority
United Bank WV (Past)
West Virginia Council for Community & Economic Development (Past)
West Virginia Golf Association Foundation (Past)
West Virginia Public Energy Authority, Vice Chairman (Past)
West Virginia Graduate College Foundation (Past)
West Virginia Kids Count Fund (Past)

MEMBERSHIPS
Eastern Mineral Law Foundation (Past)
Governor's Partnership for Progress Council, Co-Chairman (Past)
National Coal Association (Past)
United Way Southern WV, Campaign Chairman (Past & 2017)
West Virginia Coal Association (Past)
West Virginia Coal Mining Institute
West Virginia Land & Mineral Owner’s Association
West Virginia State Bar

A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50th Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016.

Since taking office, Commissioner Christian has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) as the Official Representative of Texas. The IOGCC is one of the oldest and largest interstate compacts in the nation, formed over 80 years ago when several states joined together to resolve common issues in the industry without federal intervention.

Christian graduated from high school as valedictorian, and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.B.A. in General Business in 1973. After college, Christian found success in the music industry with his country/gospel band, the Mercy River Boys and went on to be finalist for a Grammy Award in 1979.

In 1987, after gaining valuable experience in business, banking and real estate, Wayne Christian opened a financial services business – he is a three time AIG top advisor nationwide.

In 1996, Christian was elected to the House of Representatives as the first Republican elected from Deep East Texas since Reconstruction after the Civil War. During his time in the House, Christian was a leader for the conservative renaissance in the State of Texas and successfully assisted in the fight to elect a Republican majority in the Texas Legislature.

Christian served as Vice-Chair of Regulated Industries and as a multi-term member of the Energy Resource Committee. On these committees, he had direct oversight of the Railroad Commission and accumulated a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations.

Christian will continue to fight to ensure the public is protected from bad actors and that all decisions are consistent and predictable to give a sense of certainty to the thousands of business owners and operators who regularly deal with the Railroad Commission. All regulations should be based on sound science and not speculation.

Ryan previously served as the Secretary of Environment and the Natural Resources Trustee for the State of New Mexico. As Environment Secretary, Ryan brokered several key agreements with federal and state agencies, including and landmark settlement agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Ryan serves in the New Mexico Air National Guard and is the proud father of two girls, Livia and Margot.

L. David Glatt joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1983 as an environmental engineer. In 1989, he became manager of the Ground Water Protection Program and was named as assistant director for the Division of Water Quality shortly thereafter. In May 2000, David was named director of the Division of Waste Management, and in 2002, he was named section chief of the Environmental Health Section. He currently serves as the Director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. (NDDEQ) The NDDEQ implements the primary environmental protection programs in the state, which apply to oil field development. He is a registered professional engineer receiving a BS degree in biology with a MS degree in Environmental Engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo.

Becky W. Keogh has served as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) since 2015. She has been engaged in a unique range of technical and managerial roles across government, private industry, and environmental consulting throughout her career. Director Keogh previously held positions as a Vice President and Senior Consultant for an international environmental and engineering firm. She served as Deputy Director of ADEQ from 1996–2006. She was subsequently appointed to serve on the Arkansas Geological Commission from 2006–2009. Immediately prior to her appointment by Governor Asa Hutchinson as ADEQ Director, she was employed in an environmental and regulatory management role for an international resources corporation.

Director Keogh has been an active member and alumni member of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) since 1997. A well-respected leader among her counterparts in other states, she was elected by her peers to serve as the 2018–2019 President of ECOS.

Additionally, as Director, she has testified on behalf of states’ rights before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, specifically noting the atmosphere of coercive federalism at the time between the states and EPA. An Arkansas native, Director Keogh has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas. She is married, has three children, and has four grandchildren.

Adrienne Sandoval was named the Director of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division in April of 2019. Prior to the Oil Conservation Division, Ms. Sandoval has deep industry experience and has spent the last several years in the Marathon Petroleum’s Denver office working on federal regulatory affairs and legislative matters. She also worked for the Williams Companies out of Tulsa, OK, spending most of her time working in the field. She holds a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Tulsa.

Kenneth Wagner serves as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment where he was appointed in 2019 by Oklahoma’s new Governor J. Kevin Stitt. In this role, he is responsible for over 30 state agencies, boards, compacts, and commissions as well as advancing policies that encourage economic growth, sensible regulation that fosters responsible energy production, protects natural resources, and ensures clean air, land and water for all Oklahomans.

Previously, Mr. Wagner served as the Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Regional and State Affairs within USEPA’s Office of the Administrator where he also served as Director of the Office of Regional Operations. In his duties at EPA, he served as the Administrator’s designee to all 10 regions before regional administrators were appointed, and he continued to coordinate all 10 U.S. EPA Regional Administrators and served as an advocate for the regions at headquarters with all the assistant administrators for each national program and the Administrator’s office.

In addition to his regional duties, he served as the main point of contact in the Administrator’s Office with all 50 states’ top environmental regulators and tribal governments. He lead the efforts to reform and redefine the federal-state relationship and its efforts around cooperative federalism. Mr. Wagner was helped lead numerous policy initiatives for the Administrator.

He was appointed and previously served at the Administrator’s Designee on the Gulf Coast Eco System Restoration Council, also known as the RESTORE Council. EPA and Acting Administrator Wheeler was appointed by President Trump as Chairman of the RESTORE Council which was responsible for implementing the RESTORE Act and administering billions of dollars of settlement funds that were paid by BP as a result of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. During his time at RESTORE, Wagner served as the Chair governing all business and executive meetings of the five gulf states and six federal agencies making up the Council.

Mr. Wagner was also closely involved in the Office of Research & Development’s initiative to better partner with states to solve every day environmental challenges and make their vast inventory of research more readily accessible for states, tribes and the public. He also coordinated the intra-agency working group to tackle the waste discharges entering the U.S. from our border neighbors in Mexico, and assists the Administrator in his goal of bringing certainty to the American people by returning the Agency to its core mission: improving water quality, accelerating land clean ups, modernizing aging water infrastructure and bringing the country back into air attainment by improving air quality.

Before joining the Agency he came from the private sector where he practiced law and held private business interests for nearly 25 years. He was a founding member and managing partner of a successful mid-sized law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he practiced and managed a diverse practice that included commercial, energy and environmental matters. In addition to running a successful law firm, he was involved in numerous successful business and commercial ventures, including being a minority partner in Oklahoma’s Triple-A baseball team based in Oklahoma City from 2003 to 2010.

He received his degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Lori Wrotenbery is the Executive Director of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, where she serves the oil and gas producing states in their collective efforts to conserve oil and gas resources while protecting health, safety, and the environment. Her previous service to the states includes leadership roles at the oil and gas regulatory agencies in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Among the highlights of her career, she has held the position of oil and gas director in each of those three states. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Wellesley College, a B.S. in Geology from the University of Texas, and a J.D. from Harvard University.