About Mark

Building ventures, mentoring leaders, and exploring what it means to be human.

Mark’s career spans three decades at the intersection of energy, technology, and leadership—but his story is really about the continuous pursuit of meaning alongside achievement.

Entrepreneurship & Energy Leadership

Between 2010-2012, Mark founded two energy companies, raising $1.3 billion from private equity and independent investors during one of the industry’s most volatile periods. He successfully deployed nearly half of those funds in strategic acquisitions, established five offices with a Houston headquarters, and built the complete operational infrastructure—from banking relationships and regulatory frameworks to staffing and business processes—that enabled both companies to thrive. After honoring his commitments and establishing a solid foundation, Mark stepped away to pursue deeper, longstanding interests.

Deal-Making & Technical Innovation

As a financial firm executive prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Mark led over $10 billion in M&A transactions in the energy sector. He transformed a modest 5-person team into a multi-departmental operation with over 100 professionals, personally developing the technology platforms that supported execution. Mark set technical standards, crafted compelling narratives around seller assets, and oversaw marketing and due diligence for thousands of auction transactions and 300+ major deals ($50-600+ million). His leadership helped the firm capture a significant share of U.S. energy deal flow from 2001-2008.

Global Technical Expertise

Mark built his foundation in upstream oil and gas through independent work across the globe, developing deep expertise in data, computing, and engineering workflows. He facilitated workshops for 5,000+ professionals worldwide for independent operators, major integrated companies, and state-owned energy enterprises. His early involvement in the precursor to today’s mass drilling and completion models—particularly in Colorado’s Wattenberg Field and Kansas’s Hugoton Field—positioned him at the forefront of what would become the shale revolution.

Under the mentorship of Louis Powers, an Exxon and Saudi Aramco veteran with deep industry connections, Mark developed executive acumen while building expert systems to model hundreds of thousands of wells for major corporations. This work extended into civil litigation support, exposing him to the critical intersections of law, regulation, and business relationships.

Early Career & Environmental Advocacy

Mark’s energy career began with Mobil Oil Corporation, where he quickly advanced from field operations to corporate planning and reservoir engineering. He led field development initiatives using cutting-edge pressure transient technology, collaborated with research lab experts on computer models, and championed environmental efforts for water injection and disposal—a commitment he attributes to his Native American heritage in the Ozark Mountains and his ongoing reconciliation between resource development and environmental stewardship.

Creative Pursuits & Deeper Interests

Since 2014, Mark has immersed himself in film acting, writing, and producing meaningful projects in Austin. Mentored by Cliff Osmond in the 1990s and trained intensively in the Meisner technique with Laurel Vouvray, he continues to explore the human experience through creative storytelling. His lifelong interests in athletics, spirituality, psychology, and mysticism inform both his creative work and his approach to leadership.

Family & Community

Mark is a father to three children and has contributed significantly to raising five others. He has coached hundreds of young athletes and mentored numerous professionals throughout his career. He resides in Austin with his longtime partner, Becky, and continues seeking opportunities to serve his community, guided by a commitment to altruism and human connection.