- Michael Starzer,
President
Chief Executive Officer - Gary Grove,
Executive Vice President
Engineering & Planning - Patrick Graham,
Executive Vice President
Corporate Development
Michael R. Starzer, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Starzer was a co-founder, director, and President and Chief Executive Officer of each of our predecessor Bonanza Creek companies. Mr. Starzer has over 28 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Starzer has served in numerous positions in the oil and gas industry evaluating and developing oil, gas, electricity and geothermal resources. From 1983 to 1991, Mr. Starzer was employed by Unocal in various engineering and supervisory positions. From 1991 until 1993, Mr. Starzer served with the California State Lands Commission as Statewide Petroleum Reservoir Engineer and worked as a private consultant to the energy industry supervising operations and appraisals of oil, gas and geothermal resources on properties throughout the United States. In 1993, Mr. Starzer returned to Unocal as an Asset Manager assisting them with the sale and management of certain assets. Starting in 1995, Mr. Starzer served as an Officer, Manager and Vice President of Berry Petroleum until beginning his tenure with one of our predecessors in 1999. Mr. Starzer holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Alaska and is a registered professional engineer in petroleum engineering.
Gary A. Grove, Director, Executive Vice President Engineering & Planning
Mr. Grove joined Bonanza Creek in 2003 and has served as a director and Executive Vice President of each of our predecessor companies. Mr. Grove has over 29 years of experience in the oil and gas industry serving in reservoir engineering and management positions with UNOCAL and Nuevo Energy prior to joining us. Mr. Grove graduated from Marietta College in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. Mr. Grove is an active member with the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has served in various capacities for student and local chapters since 1979.
Patrick A. Graham, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Mr. Graham joined Bonanza Creek in 2001 and has served as both Senior and Executive Vice President of our predecessor companies. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Graham was employed by Berry Petroleum Company where he evaluated acquisition opportunities in California, the Rocky Mountain region and Canada. Mr. Graham gained experience working with major and independent oil companies while employed with Dowell Schlumberger from 1986 to 1995. Mr. Graham received his Bachelors of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and has held various technical positions in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, California and Alaska.
