I developed an interest in the energy industry while growing up in Tyler, Texas as the son of a Petroleum Geologist. I earned my first paycheck in the oil and gas industry in the summer of 1980 while working in a drilling fluids warehouse in Tyler, Texas. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Cum Laude) from Texas A&M University in December 1985 and started work as a field petroleum engineer with Mobil Oil Corporation shortly thereafter. Oil prices dropped by 50% during my first month of work, and my first project was the development of a detailed economic model of the Luling Branyon oil field. Development of this model allowed Mobil to fine tune operations of the field to moderate the impact of the oil price collapse. This project also put me on the path of becoming an expert in the valuation of oil and gas producing properties.
I moved from Texas to Los Angeles Basin with Mobil in early 1991 and gained experience in the regulatory aspect of oil operations while working as an Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer based in the Santa Fe Springs field. My first project in California was a 20 well abandonment program, which gave me great hands-on experience with well abandonments in the Los Angeles Basin. I left Mobil and began my consulting career in 1999 by forming Walker Engineering, Incorporated. My first project was with Barry L. Evans & Associates, Incorporated. Mr. Evans & I enjoyed working together providing oil and gas consulting services and partnered our two firms to form Evans & Walker in January 2001. Mr. Evans retired at the end of 2015 after over 60 years of service to the oil and gas industry. With Mr. Evans’ permission, Walker Engineering, Incorporated obtained the approval of the California Department of Consumer Affairs to do business as Evans & Walker. The Los Angeles Basin has served as my base of operations for over 25 years, allowing me to develop a wealth of experience in oil and gas operations in an urban setting.
I have a wife and two children, and call Huntington Beach home. I have served the community in numerous volunteer roles, including coaching stints in AYSO Region 56 soccer and Huntington Valley Little League baseball. I am an Eagle Scout and served two years as Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 101 and six years as the Outings Coordinator for BSA Troop 1. I am an active member of Crosspoint Church.