Meet the Team
Executive Director Edward J Davies
Extensive international energy executive experience with Shell Oil and Conoco, including roles as UK Manager of Exploration & Development, Worldwide Exploration Coordinator, President of Conoco Ecuador, President of Conoco Nigeria, and General Manager of Worldwide Exploration. Served as Senior Vice President at Energy Corporation of America. Holds a B.Sc. from the University of Wales, an M.Sc. from MIT, and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. Recognized as an AAPG Trustee Associate.
Executive Director Thomas J Stewart
Has held key roles across leading energy organizations, including Conoco USA and Thomasson Partners Associates in Denver, as well as serving as Manager of Exploration for Energy Corporation of America. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Wisconsin and an M.Sc. from the University of Houston and is an active member of both the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG).
Chief Financial Officer Ewen Ainsworth
An experienced energy professional with over 30 years in the oil and gas industry, spanning exploration, development, production, and decommissioning, and since 2019 has broadened into mining, battery metals, and renewables. A chartered management accountant with a degree in Economics and Geography from Middlesex University, he has held senior commercial and board-level roles across listed and private companies. He has raised over $1 billion in equity and debt financing for E&P assets and served as CFO for international operators including Gulf Keystone Petroleum, San Leon Energy, Coro Energy, and Europa Oil & Gas.
Chief Business Officer Paul J Davies
Has held leadership positions with Tenneco Gas, El Paso Natural Gas, and Southern California Edison, where he directed fuel operations, marketing & trading, and risk management. With extensive experience in the natural gas and power sectors, he is recognized for driving commercial growth, optimizing operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance in complex energy markets. He earned a BBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas and an MBA from the University of Houston.
Chief of Operations Christopher L Ness
Brings extensive leadership experience in the global energy industry, having held senior positions with Shell, Hess (as Manager of Operations), and Transocean (as Vice President). Recognized for driving operational excellence, managing large-scale projects, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver results in complex and competitive environments. He holds an HNC in Mechanical Engineering from Bell College, Hamilton, and has served as Chairman of the UKOOA Drilling Practices Committee and the Health and Safety Committee.
Chief of Petroleum Extraction Boris P Abad-Guerra
Has worked in the oil and natural gas industry since 1976, specializing in reservoir engineering, project evaluation, and enhanced oil recovery. His career spans teaching and consulting in the USA, Japan, Venezuela, and Ecuador, with global project work across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State University, where he was honored as a Centennial Fellow and one of the top 100 graduates in the College’s first century. A Life Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, he also founded and served as the first president of SPE–Ecuador.
Chief Legal Officer Douglas G Garrett
Previously served as Vice President of Law at AT&T Broadband, on the Board of Directors of Mega Sports Japan and General Counsel of Sports Authority, and earned a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from Memphis State University.