Presenters

Porter Bennett founded BENTEK in 1985. Over the past 21 years he has led the evolution of the company from an energy industry consulting firm specializing in market and customer analysis to today's leading energy market information company. In his early career, Mr. Bennett held positions with consulting companies specializing in energy market analysis. He holds a MS Degree in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines, and a MA Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. He received a BA in History from Lewis & Clark College.
(from www.bentekenergy.com)

Andrew Bremner joined Beatty and Wozniak, P.C. after almost 7 years of public policy work as the Director of Government Affairs for the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS). In this role, Andrew helped increase the profile of IPAMS in Washington, D.C. and throughout the region on energy development issues - particularly federal lands issues. He helped draft and urge several provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 including the pilot program, defeating cost recovery in that bill and other provisions that would help producers in the Rockies. He also handled the association's legal matters.

Through Andrew's policy experience at IPAMS, he gained an understanding of what's important to oil and gas companies in the Rockies - certainty. In today's political climate, certainty is becoming a rare commodity. However, companies that succeed recognize that oil and gas activities are based upon the permission of the people where operations are located. Companies need to consider all aspects of the regulatory climate when planning their operations. It is no longer satisfactory to work it out on paper and assume it will be implemented; companies need to plan their operations, then step back and examine how it will work in the context of the political landscape within the state they're operating. Considering how operations may impact other resources helps the company to build coalitions within the communities to ensure that there is support for their operations. Andrew also learned that the people of the industry truly care about what they do and how they do their jobs.

Andrew is an avid sportsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, biking, running, camping and enjoying all these activities with his wife and three children.
(from www.bwenergylaw.com)

Nathan A. Keever joined DWMK in 1996 after serving as law clerk to Judge Ruthanne N. Polidori in Jefferson County, Colorado. Specializing in natural resources litigation, he was naturally attracted to western Colorado.

"My clients are mostly farming and ranching families," says Nate. "They are down-to-earth people interested in protecting their property and protecting the investment they, their parents, or grandparents made in that property. I share an understanding of the contribution water and minerals make to the value of their land."

Nate was also drawn to western Colorado by the outdoor recreation opportunities. He is married and has two young sons and a daughter.
(from www.dwmk.com)

Jamie Sellar-Baker is a graduate of the University of Montana, with a BS in Forestry Sciences. She is an Associate Field Manager and has spent 26 of her 27 years of federal service with BLM. Much of this time was as a Natural Resource Specialist working with the oil and gas industry in leasing, permitting and production activities in Wyoming. It is this experience that has earned her the recognition as one of the Bureau's SME's, or Subject Matter Experts in Federal Oil and Gas activities. Jamie and her family moved to Colorado in 2002, where as the Associate Manager she has been able to apply the experience and knowledge gained in Wyoming, to advance the understanding of the development of Federal oil and gas reserves to the public and Counties within her jurisdictional boundary.

Jamie enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including gardening, hunting and hiking with her husband David.

Stephen J. Sullivan worked as a geologist for Amoco Minerals Company and Gulf Oil Corporation prior to graduation from law school. He now specializes in land and mineral transactions, financing, title contracts and regulatory matters related to natural resources, real estate and local government. He also has extensive experience practicing before the Colorado and Wyoming Oil and Gas Commissions. Mr. Sullivan served as Mayor of the Town of Foxfield from 2002 to 2008, and has served on the boards of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (1990-1994), the Town of Foxfield (1998-2008) and The Colorado Oil and Gas Association (1995-present).
(from www.wsmtlaw.com)

Nick A. Swartzendruber is an attorney with the Denver law firm of Poulson, Odell & Peterson, LLC. He practices primarily in the area of commercial litigation, including natural resources litigation. He also represents clients in various regulatory matters before state and federal agencies. Mr. Swartzendruber was highly involved in the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission's recent efforts to develop new rules governing oil and gas operations in Colorado.