Our Team

Chad Willis is a highly accomplished executive and a recognized veteran in the oil and gas investment industry, with an illustrious 20-year career. Known as a serial entrepreneur, Chad has consistently and successfully demonstrated his exceptional leadership and business acumen.

Willis’s unique journey in the energy sector began at a boutique oil and gas firm, where he swiftly rose through the ranks to become the youngest Vice President in the company's sixteen-year history. In 2003, at the age of 23, Chad co-founded Texas Energy Holdings, Inc. ("Texas Energy"), a venture that would become a prominent player in the industry.

Under Chad's visionary leadership, Texas Energy achieved remarkable growth and recognition. The company was honored by Inc. Magazine, being named on the prestigious 500/5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in years 2008, 2009 and 2010. In two of the three years, it made the coveted Inc. 500 and in the other year narrowly missed it by only sixty-three spots. Expanding its operations, Chad co-founded Texas Energy Operations, LC, and Texas Energy Operating Services, LC, venturing into oil and gas operations and services.

Chad's expertise and success in the industry were acknowledged by the Dallas Business Journal, featuring him in their esteemed "Who's Who in Energy" publications for multiple consecutive years. In 2007-2008, he demonstrated his strategic acumen by successfully transitioning the company's holdings from natural gas to oil, capitalizing on the rising oil prices.

In 2016, continuing his entrepreneurial journey, Chad formed IStick Capital Management, LLC ("IStick") and R2Q Operating, LLC ("R2Q"), utilizing these entities to acquire distressed oil and gas assets during energy downturns. During the widely known oil and gas economic downturn, through innovative strategies, Chad acquired Texas Energy's debt at a sixty percent discount via IStick, ultimately becoming the owner of 100% of the assets with only 20% of the debt. Chad used much of his own capital to accomplish this. In 2023, IStick was named to Inc. Magazines 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies.

Beyond his accomplishments in the energy sector, Chad has diversified his investment portfolio across various industries. He has invested in and owned companies spanning real estate, transportation, hospitality, sports management, restaurants, bomb detection, personal care services, as well as a winery and Silver Star Whiskey and Vodka, which today is being sold in more than 800 retailers across multiple States.

One of Chad's notable investments turned partnership is with the Founder and CEO of Teamwork Retail, LLC, Michael Mauerer, which they together rebranded as Teamwork Commerce. Teamwork provides an industry leading, Omnichannel solution to retailers globally with cutting edge technology. Under Chad's leadership, Teamwork Commerce has flourished into a global presence, with over 450 employees and offices located in eleven countries and have software live in more than twenty-six countries. Since 2013, revenues at Teamwork Commerce have experienced an exponential increase of almost 2,000 percent, a testament to Chad's exceptional management skills. Teamwork Commerce made Inc. Magazine’s distinguished 500/5000 list in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Beyond his professional achievements, Chad is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors, supporting causes that create a positive impact on society. He believes in giving back to the community and strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

With an impressive track record and a forward-thinking mindset, Chad continues to make significant contributions to the business landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industries he engages with.

Roi Lam is an accomplished oil and gas executive with over 27 years of experience in the industry. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas, including project capital allocation, budgeting, and P/L management to maximize free cash flow (FCF) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Roi's leadership abilities shine through his proven track record of driving operational consistencies and efficiencies through knowledge management and risk identification and mitigation processes, particularly utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Management of Change practices.

Throughout his career, Roi has excelled in managing and developing multi-disciplinary, high-performing teams, fostering a culturally diverse and collaborative work environment. He possesses a deep understanding of structuring commercial contracts and supply chain processes to effectively manage vendor performance while addressing technical challenges. Roi's strategic mindset enables him to develop transformational, action-oriented strategies that drive sustainable growth and value creation.

During his tenure at Chesapeake Energy, Roi held the position of Vice President from 2019 to 2022, where he leveraged his comprehensive knowledge across supply chain, reservoir, land, geology and geophysics (G&G), production, completions, and drilling to develop workflows that consistently delivered positive outcomes and added value to the organization. He spearheaded several initiatives resulting in significant cost savings and operational improvements. Notably, Roi led a production field team to reduce rod failures and mitigate water loading issues, saving millions of dollars annually. His contributions also included innovative design and execution of the world's first U-turn horizontal well drilled with conventional tools, increasing drillable inventory by 35%.

Prior to his role as Vice President, Roi served as the Drilling Manager at Chesapeake Energy from 2013 to 2019. In this capacity, he was responsible for engineering and field operations in various basins, achieving remarkable results in operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and risk management. Roi implemented managed pressure drilling (MPD) processes and mechanical earth models to optimize drilling performance and reduce risk in different formations, resulting in substantial savings. He also developed key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive flat time optimization, significantly reducing cycle time.

Roi's career includes leadership positions at other prominent companies, including Encana Oil and Gas and Occidental Petroleum, where he played pivotal roles in managing drilling operations, optimizing production, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Currently, Roi Lam serves as CEO at R2Q Operating, LLC, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company's oil and gas assets. He focuses on driving operational consistencies and efficiencies while managing risk, capital budgets, and business relationships with key stakeholders. Roi's extensive experience and expertise make him a highly regarded industry professional, consistently delivering results through operational excellence, team leadership, and strategic decision-making.

Brandi Van Loon is a well versed executive hailing from Dallas, Texas, with a diverse and impressive career spanning various industries. Her journey began in the financial services sector in 1997 when she joined Financial Network Investment Corporation ("FNIC"). Equipped with Series 7 and 63 licenses, Brandi managed high net worth accounts, prepared financial plans, and provided valuable assistance in tax planning.

With a keen eye for business opportunities, Brandi transitioned into the technology sector and assumed the role of Controller for an independent technology company. In this position, she oversaw finances and tax matters, showcasing her versatility and financial acumen.

Brandi's entrepreneurial spirit led her to own and operate a small printing company, which she successfully sold at a profit. This experience further solidified her business prowess and demonstrated her ability to navigate the intricacies of owning and managing a company.

In 2008, Brandi made a transition into the oil and gas industry, joining Texas Energy Holdings, Inc. as an internal associate. She rapidly ascended through the ranks, ultimately becoming the National Accounts Manager and Director of Operations. She assisted Willis with the formation of IStick Capital Management, LLC (“IStick”) and R2Q Operating, LLC (“R2Q”). Subsequently, she assumed the role of Chief Operations Officer for IStick, where she played a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations at both the corporate and field levels. Her responsibilities include managing partnerships, cultivating banking relationships, overseeing business development, and working on legal transactions, acquisitions, divestitures, credit facilities, and corporate affairs. Additionally, Brandi actively leads corporate marketing portfolios and spearheads technology deployment initiatives including the creation and ongoing development of their own proprietary oil and gas software company, ISite Energy Technologies, LLC (“ISite”) used by both IStick’scorporate and field employees every day.

Beyond her work in the energy sector, Brandi Van Loon has made substantial contributions to the global expansion of Teamwork Commerce (“Teamwork”) as the VP of Corporate Affairs. In this capacity, she plays a key role in running the global entities of Teamwork and has opened their offices in multiple countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brandi continues to oversee Teamwork’s international expansion efforts and provides valuable corporate support for daily operations as well as international tax matters and audits.

In her personal life, Brandi is a passionate learner, avid reader, health enthusiast, and a certified Health Coach. Her dedication to personal growth and holistic well-being reflects her balanced approach to life and leadership.

With her extensive experience, versatile skill set, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Brandi Van Loon continues to make a significant impact in the business world, leaving a lasting effect on the organizations she leads.

Mr. Athens role is to maximize return on financial assets by establishing, implementing and monitoring financial policies, procedures, controls and reporting systems.

His duties include developing operational frameworks that support the company’s budgeting, forecasting and internal reporting as well as improving efficiencies as technology advances in an industry with a high volume of data.

Mr. Athens is a graduate of Texas Tech with a BBA in accounting and received his Masters of Science in Taxation from the University of North Texas. He has held financial positions for Oil and Gas companies, Real Estate, Technology, and Aviation.

Mr. Jackson is responsible for the selection, evaluation and field operational management of the company’s oil and gas drilling prospects.  

Mr. Jackson brings more than forty years of experience in upstream oil and gas production, from initial well drilling and completion to ongoing maintenance and secondary recovery. Mr. Jackson is responsible for the company’s efforts to maximize production capabilities on existing properties through additional drilling and workover projects.  With significant hands-on knowledge of North Texas oil and gas fields, Mr. Jackson is an invaluable resource for R2Q’s extensive acreage throughout Archer, Clay and Wichita County oil fields as well as Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and many other fields in Texas. Mr. Jackson continues to utilize his waterflood experiences to extend the reserve values to R2Q’s producing fields.

His previous employers have been with Walsh & Watts, Inc for 14 years and Sabre Operating, Inc. for 10 years. Mr. Jackson graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

As controller, Ms. Sluder works closely with R2Q’s management team, adding value to the companies operations through strategic analysis and hands-on participating in planning and process implementation. Her duties include treasury management, support of field operations compliance, and internal reporting. Her more than 15 years of oil and gas accounting experience provide her the ability to analyze and interpret R2Q’s financial cost trend reports to help improve overall operations. Ms. Sluder graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M – Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

Ben is a results-driven Human Resources Manager with over 12 years of experience in Human Resources, specializing in organizational development, performance management, and recruitment/staffing. His extensive background includes overseeing multi-site operations, administering employee benefits and compensation, and creating effective HR policies and procedures while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Currently, he is entrusted with managing and advising multiple companies across various industries in the US. These include Oil & Gas, Real Estate, and a Retail Software Company. His adaptability and ability to work in diverse environments and cultures have allowed him to excel in managing HR teams remotely.

In addition to Ben’s HR background, he has more than 14 years of experience in business sales within the communication industry, ranging from telecom to wireless. Ben’s journey started as a direct business sales associate and evolved into Sales Management over 8 years. I possess a strong business network built through direct sales, indirect sales, agents, marketing opportunities, referral partners, and corporate relationships.

Ben is passionate about driving organizational success through effective HR strategies and sales initiatives. His unique blend of skills enables me to understand the intricacies of businesses from both the employee and customer perspectives, fostering a harmonious and productive work environment.

Claudia Hami is a highly accomplished Human Resources professional with a decade of management experience. Her passion for optimizing human capital and driving organizational success has been evident throughout her career. Claudia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management of Human Resources from Bellevue University, where she developed a deep understanding of HR practices and strategies.

With her exceptional knowledge in HR, Claudia excels in employee development and creating positive work environments. Her strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster meaningful employee relationships have resulted in increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Claudia's bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish enhances her ability to effectively communicate and bridge cultural gaps within the workforce. With her dedication to leveraging HR practices for organizational growth, Claudia is a valuable asset in the HR department, bringing innovative solutions and driving positive change.

Ms. Gant assists in the day-to-day operations of the company and is involved with business analytics and technology initiatives. In her role, she collaborates with executives, corporate, and field employees across all departments. Ms. Gant is a graduate from St. Edward's University with a BBA in International Business.

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Keaton is a young professional who primarily serves as a reserves engineer, managing reserves and the reporting of Company assets while assisting in all phases of asset development. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, he began his career with Texas Energy and now has 7 years of professional oil and gas experience. Proficient in property evaluation, decline curve analysis, reservoir simulation and waterflood optimization. Keaton is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and Young Professional in Energy, and enjoys golf and traveling in his free time.

Brian graduated in 2012 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas.  Prior to joining R2Q, Mr. Connolly has held technical engineering positions responsible for drilling, completions, production and facilities.  With over a decade of experience in upstream oil and gas, Brian has worked a large and diverse list of assets across the continental US and has accumulated a wide-ranging skillset with an expertise in production optimization and artificial lift.

Isfar is a skilled Business Analyst with a strong background in software engineering. With a passion for technology and a dedication to continuous learning, Isfar brings a wealth of expertise in various programming languages and web technologies.

As a Business Analyst, Isfar excels at bridging the gap between technology and business strategy. His proficiency in tools, such as SSRS, MSSQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and Power BI, allows him to efficiently extract and analyze complex data, providing valuable insights that drive decision-making within the organization. Isfar has demonstrated his expertise in developing efficient SQL queries to obtain complex data from remote databases, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy. He also has a proven track record of extracting data from multiple hierarchies within cross-table flat files and seamlessly integrating them into SQL Server for streamlined analysis.

Throughout his career, Isfar has played a pivotal role in delivering successful projects that optimize business processes and enhance operational efficiency. His ability to understand and analyze business requirements enables him to translate them into effective technical solutions.

Isfar has leveraged his expertise in Power BI and DAX queries to build comprehensive reports and efficiently distribute them through the Power BI server. Additionally, he has created data alerts on dashboards to ensure timely notifications of critical insights.

Skillset: Language & Web Technology: JAVA, NodeJS, JavaScript, Git, Python, React JS, Tailwind, Maven, iSite.  Database Systems & Modeling tools: PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle, MongoDB.

Framework & Cloud Platforms: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), Spring Boot, Rest API.

ML.AI & Data Science: TensorFlow, NumPy, Pandas, Kera, Microsoft Power BI, TIBCO Spotfire, SSRS, SSMS.