Krista Dawn Blackledge
Stuart Coleman
Stuart Coleman joined the Venture Capital Team within Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV) in 2017, currently holding the position of Venture Executive. In this role, Stuart leads efforts around technology scouting, investment due diligence and execution, along with holding board positions on current CTV portfolio companies. Prior to joining the Venture Capital Team, Stuart was a Special Core Analysis Advisor on the Core Analysis Consulting Team, within Chevron’s Energy Technology Company. In this role, Stuart worked with subsurface professionals on various asset teams across the company assisting their reservoir appraisal efforts. This included the planning, sample selection, and analysis for special core analysis programs integrating capillary pressure, relative permeability, wettability, electrical properties, and other specialized reservoir measurements. Stuart started at Chevron in 2012 in this role, following an internship with the same team in the Summer of 2011.
Stuart earned an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering and an M.A. in Energy & Earth Resources, both from The University of Texas at Austin with research focused on CO2-enhanced oil recovery and sequestration. He earned a B.S. in Geological Engineering with honors from Ole Miss.
Dr. Stephen Franks
Alumni Engagement Committee Chair
Dr. Stephen Franks is the founder of RockFluid Systems, Inc., a geological consulting firm established in 1999, and co-founder of GreenLite Resources, Inc., a lithium-brine exploration company launched in 2023. His research focuses on deep basin brine geochemistry, pre-drill reservoir quality prediction through water-rock interaction, and siliciclastic reservoir characterization. With 26 years at ARCO Oil and Gas in exploration and research and nine years at Saudi Aramco’s Advanced Research Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, he brings extensive industry expertise.
A recipient of the AAPG’s George C. Matson Award, Dr. Franks earned his B.S. in Geology from Millsaps College, his M.S. from the University of Mississippi, and his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University.
Dr. Walter Guidroz
Chair
Walter Guidroz, currently a Research Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), previously led the USGS Energy Resources Program, where he played a crucial role in shaping energy-focused research and assessments. With over 40 years of experience in the energy sector, including tenures at Amoco, Enron, and BP, Guidroz brought extensive expertise in geoscience and management to his position. He holds degrees in geology, business administration, and geological oceanography from Nicholls State University, the University of Mississippi, the University of Texas at Austin, and Louisiana State University, reflecting his comprehensive understanding of the geological and business aspects of the industry.
Tom Horton
Finance Committee Chair
Tom Horton is currently the Vice President of Business Development and Contracts at Trinidad Drilling. He has had an extensive and diverse career in the oil and gas industry, spanning over several roles and companies. He previously held positions at Parker Drilling Company, including Director of Global Operations and Maintenance and Senior Business Development Manager, where he drove growth and development in operations and maintenance business. Thomas worked as the Area Operations Manager for East Texas and North Louisiana at Nabors Drilling USA, LP, overseeing a significant drilling rig operation, as wells as serving as Senior Manager of Business Development and Senior Project Manager. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership, business development, and operational skills, contributing significantly to the growth and success of various companies in the oil and gas sector.
Justin Janaskie
Justin Janaskie holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and a Master’s degree from the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at The University of Mississippi. Starting his career in oil and gas exploration, he transitioned to defense, aviation, and aerospace. Currently, as the Chief Technology Officer and Director of C5ISR programs at MAG Aerospace in Huntsville, AL, Janaskie oversees the management and direction of various technology systems and sensors. He plays a pivotal role in driving industry advancement and corporate growth, standing as an innovator in his field.
Dr. Jack Koban
Dr. Jack Koban is a professional engineer and professional geologist with more than 20 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, geological research, project management, and business development. His work spans a number of markets and industries, most notably coastal restoration, flood protection, infrastructure, and energy. He serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), and the Coast Builders Coalition. Through his positions in these organizations he regularly interacts with policymakers, developers, and other stakeholders of some of the Gulf Coast’s biggest energy and infrastructure projects and serves as an advocate for sustainable industry and the engineering profession. In 2017 and 2024, he coauthored the ASCE’s Louisiana Infrastructure Report Card.
He has been a featured speaker at numerous industry events hosted by ASCE, ASBPA, World Trade Center-New Orleans, World Economic Forum, US Association of Energy Economics, and others.
Dr. Koban received a B.S. in geological engineering from the University of Mississippi, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in earth science from the University of Memphis. He currently lives in Baton Rouge with his wife, Dr. Ashley Saucier, and their two sons.
Dakota Kolb
Dakota Kolb is currently a Senior Engineering Geologist and Geology Subject Matter Expert (SME) with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District. Preceding his time with USACE, he worked as an exploration and production geologist driving growth and development of underground/surface gold deposits on the Carlin Trend in northeastern Nevada. He is an experienced geoscientist with a demonstrated history in the mining and metals, exploration, and civil works industries with strong technical focus in structural geology, engineering geology, and 3D-geologic modeling. He has contributed significantly to his field providing planning and oversight of high-risk drilling operations, demonstrating strong leadership skills, driving economic growth, and providing expertise on complex geotechnical issues around our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Mr. Kolb holds a B.S in Geology and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Mississippi and is a licensed professional geologist (PG) in the state of Alabama.
Peshani Kolb
Peshani Kolb graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. in Geological Engineering and a B.S. in Physics. She began her career as an underground Geotechnical Engineer for Newmont and Nevada Gold Mines where she focused on ground stability and rehabilitation of underground excavations. Currently, she is working for the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a Project Engineer in the Analytical and Risk Section of the USACE Vicksburg District Geotechnical Branch. Her work focuses primarily on risk associated with levee and dam failures and the remediation required to reduce these risks. She is an experienced geotechnical engineer specializing in rock mechanics for hard rock mining, engineering geology for Mississippi Valley type alluvial deposits, risk analysis, and remediation.
Samantha Lucker
Student Engagement Committee Chair
Samantha Lucker is a Research Geologist in the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. She has supported the ERDC mission by providing support nationally and internationally on a variety of civil works and military engineering projects. She has conducted extensive laboratory and field investigations on internal and surface erosion for earthen embankments. Her experience includes backward erosion piping related problems, practical application of biopolymers for soil improvement, and field geophysics technics.
Ms. Lucker received her Bachelors in Geology/Geophysics from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Master of Engineering Science with an emphasis in geology from the University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and the Society of American Military Engineers. She has contributed to projects on void detection, unexploded ordnance detection, embankment stability, and internal erosion with a focus on backward erosion piping.
Dr. Mike Miner
Vice Chair
Dr. Mike Miner, Director of Applied Geosciences at the Water Institute of the Gulf, brings over two decades of expertise in geology and coastal science. With degrees from the University of Mississippi and the University of New Orleans, his research focuses on barrier island systems and tidal inlets within the Mississippi River delta plain. He has played pivotal roles in various research initiatives, including the Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program and the Marine Minerals Program at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Collaborating with state and federal partners, he has contributed to significant coastal restoration projects. Additionally, Miner serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New Orleans, highlighting his dedication to advancing geosciences through academia and government collaboration.
Dr. Henrique Momm
Dr. Momm is an Associate Professor at Middle Tennessee State University, focusing on Geoinformatics to understand Earth’s functions. His research includes watershed systems modeling, channel morphology, and remote sensing. He also directs the Geospatial Research Center and is a faculty member at the Center for Computational Science. Previously, he worked at the National Sedimentation Laboratory, specializing in erosional dynamics. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi in 2008.
Patrick Niemeyer
Patrick Niemeyer holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Mississippi. With over a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry, Patrick currently serves as a Geological Advisor for Hess Corporation. His expertise spans the entire petroleum value chain, including roles in Exploration, Appraisal, Operations, Development, and Strategy. Patrick has worked in diverse basins such as Guyana, Equatorial Guinea, North Dakota, the Gulf of Mexico, and Canada. His comprehensive knowledge and strategic insights make him a valuable asset in driving successful oil development projects and advancing the company’s objectives. Patrick is eager to bring his extensive industry knowledge and experience to the Advisory Board, aiming to support and inspire current and future UM students.
Bill Walker
Bill Walker is a Geotechnical Engineer at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the Dam Safety Services Group. He has over 16 years of experience in dam and levee safety working for TVA and the US Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District (USACE). He has extensive experience in performance monitoring of large embankment dams, dam safety modifications, and dam safety risk assessments. He has authored Agency and National level Dam Safety Guidance and was the lead instructor for the USACE Instrumentation and Performance Monitoring of Dam and Levees PROSPECT Course. Bill holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Mississippi.
Bill and his wife Allison have two children, Maggie and Teddy, and live in Nashville, Tennessee. They love exploring National Parks and playing with neighbors in the back yard. When not spending time with family Bill enjoys golf and pheasant hunting.
Alex Warren
Alex Warren is a Tunnel Design Engineer at GEI Consultants in Golden, Colorado, with experience in design and construction of tunneling and trenchless projects. Her projects range from horizontal directional drills to large diameter TBM tunnels across the United States and Canada. Her work focuses primarily on preparation of contract documents, specifically Geotechnical Baseline Reports and Specifications, as well as tunnel feasibility and construction management. Alex received a B.S. and M.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Mississippi and is a Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado.
Dr. Kemble White
Dr. Kemble White is a practicing geoscientist and the owner of Cambrian Environmental, a specialty environmental services firm focused on karst issues unique to the central Texas growth corridor. After 25 years in the field, his trusted perspective on complicated due-diligence issues involving caves, springs and karst aquifers has resulted in a long list of repeat clients and high-profile infrastructure projects. He holds four degrees from Ole Miss including his doctorate. His research on cave spider genetics and the evolution of their habitat was published in Geology. Two new species have been named in his honor.