Episode 8 - Talking Energy Show - Mike Cantrell - Author | Speaker | Oil and Energy Consultant | Owner of Pivotal Strategic Solutions
Pivotal Strategic Solutions
(405) 206-4444 [email protected]
Government affairs consultant
Regulatory compliance consultant
Public affairs consultant
Strategy consultant
Mike is an entrepreneur / consultant with demonstrated history of accomplishment in the oil & energy industry as well as the Political and Public Affairs space. Skilled in coalition building, solving difficult problems, and building oil and gas companies, Mike is a strong entrepreneurial professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Psychology from East Central University. A 40 year industry veteran, Mike sees the oil and gas industry, at least in the conventional vertical well space, as offering the greatest return on investment in the American economy.
Michael (Mike) Cantrell was born and raised in Oklahoma, where his family has strong ties to the oilfield. Cantrell's grandfather was a driller in the 1920's, eventually starting his own business in the 1950's, which Cantrell's father joined a few years later. In 1968, his father shifted into the production side of the business, where Cantrell gained hands-on experience in the field, accompanying his father in business from an early age. Cantrell attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While Cantrell was, and still is, keenly interested in psychology, he wanted a career in which he could work for himself and decided to continue on the family legacy in the petroleum industry. In 1975, Cantrell started Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation, an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas exploration and production company specializing in enhancing production in more mature formations, serving as President until 2000. That year, Cantrell sold Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation and a few months later, founded Cantrell Investments LLC, an oil and gas investment company, with assets primarily in Oklahoma., Texas and Kansas. Around that time, Cantrell decided to leave his longtime home in Oklahoma and relocated to Plano, Texas, just outside Dallas. A few short years later, in 2006, he moved back to Oklahoma. In 2009, Cantrell accepted a consulting position with Continental Resources, where he was an integral part of building the company's Government Relations Division, eventually serving as Vice President of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs. While at Continental, Cantrell maintained his oil and gas interests and upon leaving the company in March 2013, shifted his focus back to Cantrell Investments. As a longtime veteran, Cantrell notes that this industry is "an exciting place to work," crediting his dedicated employees - many of whom have been with him for years, if not decades - for their team's overall success. He also points out that it is an added benefit to have assets performing for you, and in turn generating profit, even while you sleep! Even though he has no shortage to choose from, Cantrell easily considers his greatest accomplishment to be raising two motivated children - both successful in their chosen fields - who he claims are even smarter than their dad. In fact, both his children have taken a page from their father's book in some way - his daughter is a political consultant and his son a fourth generation oilman. And though each have their own, independent companies, Cantrell has also worked closely over the years on joint ventures and projects with both his father and brother. In his free time, you will most likely find Cantrell on his Harley Davidson, whether he's traveling to the corners of the United States or just taking a quick ride. Cantrell is also very active in industry organizations, and serves on the Board of Directors of: Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, The Council for a Secure America, Citizens Bank of Ada, and is the Vice Chairman of Oklahomans for Lawsuit Reform. Additionally, Cantrell is the Chairman of the National Stripper Well Association, and is a longtime member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. Cantrell adds that he has sincerely enjoyed working with the Alliance, saying, "I have never felt as effective in Washington D.C. as I did when accompanying Alliance leadership" to the U.S. Capitol earlier this year.
Business:
Present: Chairman-Postwood Energy LLC
2000 - Present-Principal-Cantrell Investments LLC- Oil and Gas Investment Company.
3/2012 - 3/2013 - VP Government and Regulatory Affairs at Continental Resources, Inc.
4/2009 - 3/2012 - Political Affairs Consultant to Continental Resources, Inc. working on Federal and State issues.
1975 - 2000 President-Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation, an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas exploration/production company.
1991 - 1999 Chairman-Oil Center Operating, Inc., an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas production operating company.
Industry Related Association Activity:
Present: Co-Chair & Board Member-Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance
4/2014 - 2016 Chairman-National Stripper Well Association.
1986 - 2017 - Director for the Council for a Secure America - A Nonprofit educational organization which is a coalition of American Oil and Gas Producers and American Friends of Israel.
2010 - 2013 On the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Petroleum Council.
2009 - 2012- Co-Founder and President Domestic Energy Producers Alliance. Nationwide collaboration of oil and gas producers ,royalty owners,and trade associations working together to influence U.S. Domestic oil and gas issues.
2009 - 2011 Chairman Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association Legislative Committee.
2009 - 2017 - On the Board of Directors for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
1999 2002 President, Save Domestic Oil, Inc. Nation wide coalition of Producers and Royalty Owners to enforce United States trade laws regarding oil dumping.
1990 2000 Industry Advisory Board, National Association of Royalty Owners.
1995-1997 President, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Oklahomas largest energy association with 1,200 members.
1995-1998 Executive Committee, Texas Independent Petroleum Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
1990-1995 Chairman, Environmental Committee of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association.
1992-1995 Co-Founder/Chairman, Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. The first oil check-off program in the country. A four million-dollar per year program. Two million spent annually for environmental restoration of historic oil field damage sites. Two million spent annually for public education about Oklahomas oil industry.
1989-1991 Chairman of Liaison Committee of Cooperating Oil & Gas Associations, composed of 32 State and National Oil and Gas Associations.
1987-1988 Chairman, EPA Special Task Force of Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Played a major role in keeping oil field fluids from being classified as hazardous waste under Sub-Title C of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act.
1984-1989 President, Wildcatter Club of Oklahoma Tripled membership as Membership Chairman/President.
1983-1987 Chairman, Regulatory Affairs Committee of Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association.
1982-1984 Membership Committee Chairman, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Brought membership from 1,100 to 1,500 (the highest number of members in the history of the association).
Serves on Board of Directors of:
The Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance
Citizens Bank of Ada
Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association 1980-4/2017
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence 1994-1996
Grand River Dam Authority 2004 - 2008
Leadership Oklahoma 2004 - 2006
Oklahomans for Workers Compensation Reform - Vice Chairman
Oklahomans for Lawsuit Reform - Vice Chairman
National/State Civic Activities:
1984 Member, Charter Class Leadership Oklahoma
1984-1987 Chairman, Pollution Enforcement Sub Committee of the Industry Advisory Committee of Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Local Civic Activities:
1989-1991 Ada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
1988 1990 Founder and President, Ada City School Foundation. Built endowment of $90,000 that today is close to one million dollars.
Personal:
Member of First Presbyterian Church of Ada
Private Pilot
Certified Scuba Diver
Harley Rider Extraordinaire