Chairman Harold Hamm

Founder & Chairman, Continental Resources

Harold Hamm founded Continental Resources in 1967 and is Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Growing up in rural Oklahoma, Mr. Hamm went to work in the oil fields as a teenager and established Continental Resources in 1967 at the age of 21. He built a grassroots startup into an NYSE-traded, Top 10 oil producer in the U.S. Lower 48. As a voice for America’s oil and natural gas industry and as the leader of one of America’s top E&P companies, he has helped to make America energy independent.
Mr. Hamm also co-founded and serves as Chairman of the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, which aims to preserve the millions of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity and tax revenues generated by onshore drilling and production activities within the United States. Through his work with DEPA, Mr. Hamm is widely recognized as the man who led the charge to lift America’s 40-year-old ban on U.S. crude oil exports.
Mr. Hamm’s industry leadership also includes serving as past Chairman and present board member of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, as a founding board member of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, and as past president of the National Stripper Well Association. In addition, he served as Founder and Chairman of Save Domestic Oil Inc., which successfully brought a trade case against four countries trying to put American oil and gas producers out of business.
A national leader in promoting health, education, and energy industry advocacy, Mr. Hamm has devoted much time and resources to championing a healthy and secure future for all Americans. With the goal of finding a cure for diabetes, he has donated more than $65 million to date to the world-renowned Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at the University of Oklahoma. The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center is at the forefront of diabetes research – inspiring progress toward a cure, education of health care professionals and families, optimal care for those living with diabetes, and effective prevention strategies. To further spark the minds of the world’s brightest scientists, he established the Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes, a $250,000 biennial award celebrating the scientific achievements of an outstanding researcher, team of researchers, or research institution.
Mr. Hamm is dedicated to preparing the next generation of energy industry leaders. In 2012, he helped establish the Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering at the University of North Dakota. He has also funded numerous education initiatives across the nation, including college scholarships, classroom technology, and school capital campaigns.
Mr. Hamm has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions. Platts Global Energy Awards honored him with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his legacy of leadership, innovation, and commitment to bringing America to energy independence. Platts Global Energy Awards also has named him “CEO of the Year” and at the same time named Continental Resources “Energy Company of the Year.”
He was named the recipient of the “Chief Roughneck Award” by U.S. Steel Tubular Products, and one of 13 corporate and civic leaders across the U.S. to receive the “Horatio Alger Award” for his outstanding leadership and triumph over adversity to achieve success. He was also honored by Oil and Gas Investor magazine as “Executive of the Year” for Continental’s leadership in the Bakken, SCOOP, and STACK plays and his tireless efforts to lift the ban on U.S. crude oil exports. In 2015, the Western Energy Alliance named him “Wildcatter of the Year” for his contributions to America’s energy security and the betterment of society. He has been named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” for his creation of thousands of jobs in the oil industry and continuous support of education and diabetes research. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and named the International Energy Policy Conference “Energy Advocate of the Year” as well as being named the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Bill Berry

Former CEO and Advisor, Continental Resources

Willam B. Berry began as Continental Resources CEO in January 2020.
Berry served as Lead Director for the Continental Board of Directors from the 2016 Annual Meeting through the 2017 Annual Meeting. Mr. Berry served as Executive Vice President, Exploration and Production, of ConocoPhillips Company (“ConocoPhillips”), a major international integrated energy company, from 2003 until 2008. He has over 30 years of experience with ConocoPhillips and Phillips Petroleum Company, which became a part of ConocoPhillips in August 2002. While with these companies, he served at various times in other executive positions including President, Asia Pacific; Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production, Eurasia-Middle East; Vice President of Exploration and Production, Eurasia; and Vice President of International Exploration and Production, New Ventures. While at ConocoPhillips and Phillips Petroleum Company, he served in various locations in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Mr. Berry was recognized by the government of China as one of the 31 outstanding foreign experts in 1996. He has served on the board of directors of Oceaneering International, Inc., since June 2016. He served on the board of directors of Nexen Inc. from December 2008 to June 2013; Willbros Group, Inc. (“Willbros”) from February 2008 to May 2014; Access Midstream Partners, L.P., from June 2013 to May 2014; and Teekay Corporation from June 2012 to December 2015. Mr. Berry holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in petroleum engineering from Mississippi State University.

Chris Franklin

Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents

Chris Franklin, appointed to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents by Governor Kevin Stitt in March 2024, brings a wealth of experience as a rancher, investor, and businessman. He co-founded Tall Grass Capital and Onyx Holdings, companies focused on real estate investment, development, and property management in small to mid-sized Oklahoma towns. Franklin also manages Coffee Creek Cattle Company, a diversified farming and ranching operation specializing in cow-calf production, pre-conditioning, and crop farming.

An Oklahoma State University alumnus with a B.S. in Economics and minors in English and Finance, Franklin is a committed advocate for education and community development. He serves on the boards of the M&P Foundation, Valor Bank, and Oklahoma Christian Schools. A resident of Arcadia, Oklahoma, with his wife Melissa and their two sons, Franklin is dedicated to advancing OSU’s mission of learning, innovation, and economic prosperity.

Brian Groody

VP OFS North America Land at Baker Hughes

Brian Groody joined Baker Hughes in January 2020 as the Vice President of North America Land, Oilfield Services. He leads the Baker Hughes Oilfield Services product lines across the US Lower 48 and Canada. Brian is a member of the Board of Directors of the Energy Workforce and Technology Council and a member of the Upstream Committee of the American Petroleum Institute.
Prior to Baker Hughes, he worked at Aegion Corporation as the President of the Corrosion Protection business unit, focused on pipeline and facility integrity management. Previously, Brian held senior leadership positions in privately-owned companies focused on the energy infrastructure sector, including the roles of Executive Vice President of Operations at Strike Construction and President/CEO of Spitzer Industries.
In his early career, he joined Schlumberger as a wireline field engineer in the Permian Basin. His career at Schlumberger included leadership roles across geographies, product lines, and support functions. His experience included 10 years abroad with assignments in Venezuela, France, Angola, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Brian earned a BS degree in Geology from Princeton University. During his time there, he was an all-Ivy selection and part of the 1995 Ivy League championship football team. He currently lives in Houston with his wife and 3 children.

Maynard Holt

Founder and CEO, Veriten

Maynard Holt is the founder & CEO of Veriten. Built off the momentum created by the “Close of Business Tuesday” podcast, Veriten is an energy-focused knowledge platform that brings diverse perspectives to the energy transition discussion, improving the ability of industry leaders, policy makers, and investors to make investment and strategic choices. Maynard previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. from 2016 to 2021 and has over 27 years of experience in energy investment banking and strategic advice. A co-founder of TPH, Maynard functioned as Co-President from 2007 to 2016 and prior to joining TPH, Maynard worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. At Goldman from 1994 to 2007, Maynard worked in Leveraged / Structured Finance and was last a Managing Director in and Energy & Power / Natural Resources.
Maynard launched Veriten to convene the brightest minds in and around energy in a civil, inclusive, and intellectually honest discussion to address the most pressing topics across the space. Like too many of us, he passionately believes there are better ways forward in energy and he wants to find them. Maynard is an avid classic Jeep collector and dedicated patron and supporter of youth sports and holds a BA in Economics and Russian from Rice University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Ronnie Irani

Founder and CEO, RKI Energy Resources

Ronnie K. Irani is Founder & CEO of RKI Energy Resources, LLC, a privately held energy company headquartered in Oklahoma City. Mr. Irani has over 43 years of experience in the energy industry serving in senior executive level positions in numerous public and private companies.
Ronnie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Bombay University, India in 1977. He also holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Ronnie has also completed the Executive Management Program offered by the IPAA in conjunction with Harvard University. In 2020, Oklahoma City University conferred upon Mr. Irani the university’s honorary Doctor of Energy Economics degree.
Ronnie has been actively engaged in nonprofit organizations and has given significant time and resources for the betterment of the community. Mr. Irani is past Chairman and Emeritus Board member of the OKC Boathouse Foundation. He is past Chairman and Emeritus member of the Board of Visitors of the Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy at the University of Oklahoma. He is a founding Board member and past Chairman of the Oklahoma Energy Explorers. He served as a Trustee and Board member of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and is currently on the Board of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. He also served on the Board of Directors of The Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce, and on the Board and Executive committee of i2e. He is a past Chairman and current member of the MSPGE Advisory Board. He is the founding Board member and past Chairman of the Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources (SOER), Board member and past Chairman of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) and past Chairman and lifetime Director of the Oklahoma Petroleum Alliance formerly known as the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA). Ronnie is past President and founding board member of the India – US Chamber of Commerce of Greater OKC. He is an Alumnus of Leadership Oklahoma, Class XXIII and Leadership Oklahoma City, Class XXIX.
Ronnie is a major supporter and works closely with the students at the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Energy Solutions in OU Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy, the Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth at OU Price College of Business and the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Data Analytics at Oklahoma City University. Ronnie has been awarded the University of Oklahoma’s Regent’s Alumni award, the Oklahoma City University Alumni award, the SPE Industry Service award, OIPA’S Member of the Year award and the OERB Member of the Year award. In 2018 Ronnie was inducted into the Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor. In 2019, Mr. Irani’s notable career in the energy industry was recognized by the Oklahoma Geological Foundation with the Living Legend award.

David Le Norman

Founder and Managing Partner, Reign Capital Holdings LLC

David D. Le Norman brings extensive experience and accomplishments to Reign Capital Holdings. Throughout his over 40-year career, Le Norman has built and monetized numerous companies across multiple industry platforms. He has an extensive track record of assembling teams, assets and strategies in the upstream oil and gas segment, all while improving bottom line cash flows and returns.
Prior to embarking on the build and monetize strategies, Le Norman spent a decade with Texaco in various engineering and business development roles.
As founder and managing partner of Reign Capital, Le Norman has organized his personal family holdings into three separate silos: oil and gas, commercial real estate and investments in automotive, food services and technology industries. His serial success as an entrepreneur is underpinned by a diverse portfolio and strong balance sheet.
Le Norman currently serves as Chairman of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) and outgoing Chairman of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. He is committed to working with Oklahoma’s elected officials and policymakers to ensure that the state and its largest industry continue to thrive.
Another passion point of Le Normans is philanthropy. He supports a wide variety of charitable organizations both locally and nationally.
Le Norman holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming, master’s work in Chemical Engineering at Oklahoma State University and an M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University.

Doug Lawler

President and CEO, Continental Resources

Mr. Lawler joined Continental in February 2022 as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President following three decades in the oil and gas industry. He began his career with Kerr-McGee in 1988 and joined Anadarko Petroleum following its acquisition of Kerr-McGee in 2006. He served in numerous senior operational leadership positions during his tenure at Anadarko, including: Senior Vice President, International and Deepwater Operations and member of Anadarko’s Executive Committee from 2012 to 2013; Vice President, International Operations from 2011 to 2012; Vice President, Operations for the Southern and Appalachia Region from 2009 to 2012; and Vice President, Corporate Planning from 2008 to 2009. Most recently, Mr. Lawler was President & Chief Executive Officer and served on the board of directors of Chesapeake Energy Corporation from 2013 to 2021. He has served as a director of Pilot Travel Centers LLC (dba Pilot/Flying J) since 2016. Mr. Lawler earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1988 and his MBA from Rice University in 2002.

Rick Muncrief

President and CEO, Devon

Richard E. Muncrief, was appointed to the board of directors and elected president and chief executive officer of the company in January 2021 following Devon’s merger with WPX Energy. Muncrief previously served as chief executive officer and chairman of the board of WPX Energy. He became a member of WPX Energy’s board of directors in 2014. Prior to joining WPX, he served as senior vice president, operations and resource development of Continental Resources, Inc. Muncrief was earlier employed from August 2008 through May 2009 by Resource Production Company where he served as corporate business manager. From September 2007 to August 2008 he served as president, chief operating officer and as a director of Quest Midstream Partners, LP. From 1980 to 2007, he served in various managerial capacities with ConocoPhillips and its predecessor companies, Burlington Resources, Meridian Oil and El Paso Exploration. Muncrief holds a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering technology from Oklahoma State University, where he has also been recognized as a distinguished alumnus and is a member of the College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology Hall of Fame. He serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the American Petroleum Institute. He is a past chairman and currently serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the American Exploration & Production Council. Muncrief also serves on the national advisory board of the Gilcrease Museum, and is a member of the board of directors of the Williams Companies.

Ann Oglesby

Ann M. Oglesby has more than 35 years of experience in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries, retiring in 2022 as vice president, Energy Research & Innovation for Phillips 66. Oglesby previously led a variety of business and staff organizations at Phillips 66 including Global Risk & Compliance, Lubricants and Communications & Public Affairs.  

During Oglesby’s tenure at ConocoPhillips (2002-2012), she led Communications & Public Affairs, Corporate Planning & Strategy, Climate Change & Sustainable Development, Specialty Products and Emerging Technology. Oglesby began her career in 1987 with Mobil with various roles in engineering, supply, business development and planning, focused on petrochemicals.

Throughout her career Oglesby has continued to give her volunteer time to many organizations that support education, diversity and community development. She is currently the chairperson of the Frank Phillips Foundation board of trustees.

Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Oglesby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1987.

Frederick W. Smith

Founder and Executive Chairman, FedEx Corporation

Born in 1944 in Marks, Mississippi, Frederick W. Smith, Yale College 1966, is the founder of FedEx Corporation and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. The original analyses about the logistic needs of a highly automated future society were done during his tenure as an undergraduate.

After four years of service in the Marines, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, he launched the original air-ground Federal Express network, which began operations in 1973 to serve the rapidly growing high-tech, high-value-added sectors of the economy Smith had predicted. The company has since grown into an $87 billion global enterprise that serves more than 220 countries and territories.

As Executive Chairman, Smith focuses on Board governance, as well as issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy. FedEx operations include 698 aircraft, more than 200,000 vehicles, and approximately 5,000 operating facilities. More than 500,000 team members worldwide currently handle approximately 15 million shipments each day.

FedEx has been widely acknowledged for its commitment to total quality service. FedEx Express was the first service company to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1990. FedEx has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the “Time100 Most Influential Companies” and has consistently been ranked on FORTUNE magazine’s industry lists, including “100 Best Companies to Work For” and “World’s Most Admired Companies.”

Smith is a trustee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Director of the American Battle Monuments Foundation, and a member of the Business Council. He served on the Business Roundtable for more than 30 years. He also served as chairman of the U.S.-China Business Council and co-chair of the French-American Business Council. Smith has served on the boards of several large public companies — Malone and Hyde (AutoZone), First Tennessee, Holiday Inn, EW Scripps, and General Mills — and charitable organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Mayo Foundation. He was formerly chairman of the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association and chaired the executive committee of the U.S. Air Transport Association.

Smith has received several honorary degrees and numerous civic, academic, and business awards, including the Global Leadership Award from the U.S.-India Business Council; the George C. Marshall Foundation Award; the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Business Leadership Award; the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy; the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation; and the Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum. In addition, Smith is a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Business Hall of Fame. He served as co-chairman of both the U.S. World War II Memorial project and the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He was cited in Forbes’ “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” and has been named a top CEO by both Barron’s and Chief Executive magazines.