C. Alan Decker, CPL
Certified Petroleum Landman with 35 years experience working in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and the Southeastern U.S. Contract work, including: contract negotiations (farm-in farm-out, JOA etc.), lease acquisition, project management, due diligence, acquisition & divestiture. Management and supervision of Field Brokers, performing all areas of Field Work, including Curative, right-of-way acquisition, lease acquisition, etc.
Education:
- University of Texas – Austin, Texas – Graduate: 1974, B.A. Psychology,
- University of Texas – Austin, Texas – Graduate work in Psychology, 1972-1974,
- Texas Eastern University, now University of Texas at Tyler,
- Graduate work in Psychology, 1975,
- University of Texas at Tyler – Paralegal Certification 1991.
Experience:
From 1975 to Present: Worked in the following States: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Wyoming and Montana.
Responsibilities:
- Lignite permitting and shot hole location
- Supervision of contract Landmen and R-O-W Agents
- Lease Take-offs, Title Research (Mineral Ownership Reports)
- Surface, Mineral, and Drill Site Run-sheets
- Wetland issues
- Oil and Gas Lease Negotiations, Renewals and Extensions
- Negotiations of Rights of Way and Pipeline Easements
- Seismic Permitting and Options
- Settlement of Damages, Surface, Timber, Road, Locations
- Due Diligence
- Curative, Title Opinions, Division Order Title Opinions
- Farm Ins/Farm Outs, Joint Operating Agreements
- Mapping and relevant computer programs applicable for
- R-O-W Agents and Landmen
- Site Assessment, Working in conjunction with Surveyors for drill site,
- unit location and pipeline placement
- Searches and Investigation of Rail Road Commission Data
Active status:
- American Association of Petroleum Landmen (CPL)
- East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen, (Director)
- Texas Right of Way
- Texas Exes Life Member (1979-Present)
- Texas Notary Public Association
- Vice President of Camdas Oil, Inc. (1980-2003) Tyler, Texas
- Co-Trustee of the Decker Trusts, Tyler, Texas
- President – Encompass Diversified Energy Group
Offices:
- ETAPL – Secretary
Larue E. Decker, RPL
Registered Petroleum Landman with over 33 years of experience working in Texas, Oklahoma, and Michigan. In-house and contract land work, includes: lease acquisition management, contract negotiations, due diligence, title curative. Management and supervision of Field Brokers performing all areas of Field Work. Extensive experience supervising Field Brokers in East Texas.
Education :
- Federal Business Institute – Tyler, Texas – Executive/Business
- Tyler Junior College – Oil & Gas Law – Geology – Texas Land Titles
Experience:
- Independent Landman: Texas – Washington – Arkansas -Louisiana – Michigan and Oklahoma
- 2007- Present: Partner – Encompass Diversified Energy Group
Responsibilities:
- Lease checks
- Prepared title reports with chain of title
- Negotiated Oil and Gas Leases
- Created and maintained lease purchase reports
- Prepared run-sheets
- Seismic options and permitting
- Right of Way and Pipeline Easements
- Negotiation and settlement of damage claims
- Title Curative
- Due diligence
- Farm Ins/Farm Outs
- Crew Chief – Project Manager
- In-House Landman
- Land Manager – In House
- Broker
Affiliations:
- AAPL
- East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen
- Texas Right of Way Agent License #1148
- Director – Texas Wounded Warriors
Offices:
- ETAPL – First Vice-President
Sherial M. Hamby, RPL – Project Manager
As a Registered Petroleum Landman and R-O-W Agent with more than 28 years of experience, Sherial brings a multitude of assets to our business, including new technology and proven leadership ability with high productivity for minimal expenses to the client. She has performed land work in most counties in Texas, plus the States of Louisiana and Oklahoma. It is a fact, she works smarter, not harder and this has proven to be very beneficial for our clients. Sherial has a great passion for the oil and gas business which shows in her ability to accomplish more than the average Landman due to her organizatinal skills, knowledge of the industry, experience and the way she maximizes her time.
Experience:
- Project Manager
- Leasehold Title Work and Run Sheets
- Curative and Lease Checks
- Leasing and R-O-W for Pipelines and Electric Companies
- Hard Mineral Verification and Uranium Leasing
- Surface Agreements; Negotiating Surface Damages
- Mineral Ownership Reports and LPR’s
- Use and Possession Affidavits
- Access Runsheet Preparation and Mapping
- RRC filings and reports
Active Member – AAPL since 1998, Active Member – ETAPL; Registered Petroleum Landman; Notary Public – State of Texas; State R-O-W Agent; Active in Various Charity Organizations and Funds
Connie Steel-Tate, Assistant Project Manager
Connie started her career in the Oil and Gas Business in 1974, when she went to work for Curtis Hankamer, as his Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Curtis Hankamer was President of The Curtis Hankamer Corporation and Great Southwest Oil and Gas Company in Houston. As an independent oil and gas operator with operations in New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana, and coming from an original oil and gas family (Earl C. Hankamer, Sr. was his father and was a major contributor at Spindletop), he shared his love for this industry with Connie and introduced her to all aspects of the business, from how to fold maps to negotiating leases, prepare contracts, maintain well records, filing appropriate documents with the various regulatory agencies to on-site inspections of various drilling and production facilities. Connie was with Mr. Hankamer for ten (10) years, thereby gaining a wealth of understanding of this exciting and sometimes most lucrative business. Mr. Hankamer was also a Real Estate Developer, developing large complexes along IH-45 in Harris County and had many limited partnerships. Connie was also privy to many confidential “deals” and their making, handling the legal documents required to close sales.
Connie continued in the oil and gas business, gaining experience with such well-known companies as Quintana and Delhi Gas Pipeline Company in Houston, Langham Exploration and Production Company in Louisiana, Herd Producing Company and Fender Exploration and Production Company in Tyler.
Her experience includes working with attorneys in the preparation of Division Order Title Opinions, securing the curative documents, preparing, obtaining and filing leases, interfacing with landowners after the well has been drilled and satisfying royalty owners questions and concerns. Connie has worked for Geologists, Engineers, Executives and Land Managers. While with Cibola Oil and Gas in Tyler, she implemented a computer lease records program.
Presently, Connie is our Assistant Project Manager. She is proficient in preparing Client Reports, Lessor location & searches, obtaining and preparing Leases, LPR’s, compiling Tract Files on large projects. Her oil and gas expertise enables her to function in most any area of the acquisition of leases, providing valuable information to those in her crew.
Other:
- RRC Reports & Filings
- Dept. of the Interior Reports
- Prepared Prospect & Sales Presentations
- R-O-W Easements and Exhibits
- Well spotting & plotting of production; Drilling Curves
Charter Member of the Desk and Derrick Clubs of America and Notary Public – State of Texas
Derek S. Hestwood, Field Supervisor
As a proven leader and Petroleum Landman, Derek has shown his talent and abilities in the field by providing direction and guidance to other Landmen on the project. We find his knowledge and devotion to this business an asset to our company.
Work History:
- Wilson Land Services, East Texas
- Arrow Energy Land Services, Tyler, Texas
- Dwight Snell & Associates, Sugarland, Texas
- Encompass Diversified Energy Group, Tyler, Texas
Education and Training:
- Tyler Junior College, Focus on Mathematics, English, and Business.
- Austin Community College, Focus on Business and Accounting. Associates degree in Accounting.
- Dale Carnegie Training: Leadership and Sales Courses; Macro-Management and Administration
Technical Skills:
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Team leader and/or Team member
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products, Word, Excel, Windows, and other software tools.
Kenneth Robert Whitney
As an Independent Petroleum Landman, Kenneth has extensive experience in all phases of the landman’s work, having worked for several of the more prominent land companies in our area. At the University of North Texas, he majored in Computer Science. His excellent designing techniques enable him to produce state of the art flow charts, detailed mineral ownership reports, title research, run sheets for drill sites and progressive title chains.
Education:
- University of North Texas – Majored in Computer Science
- Tyler Junior College – General Studies
- Marshall Senior High – 1996 – 2000
Responsibilities:
- Title Research and Run Sheets
- Oil and Gas Leasing
- Division of Interest Reports
- Indexing Records
- Design Reports
- Excelled in SQL Reporting Services
- Computer/Hardware Technician
- Develops and Implements New Solutions for Client Base
Member of Boys Scouts of America – Rank: Eagle Scout
Notary Public – State of Texas
