Edward W. Blessing .

Mr. Blessing is the managing director and an initial founder of Blessing Petroleum Group LLC, a strategic holding company that develops and finances domestic and international petroleum exploration and development prospects, and has been involved with the firm since its formation in 1989. Prior to that time, Mr. Blessing led the formation of Dallas-based Strategic Petroleum Inc., where he served as a director and chief executive officer. During the 1980s, Mr. Blessing led Blessing Petroleum Corporation, an independent oil and gas firm located in Oklahoma City. He served as executive vice president and director of Oklahoma Oil and Gas Company from 1978 to 1980. Prior to that time, Mr. Blessing served as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, Inc. in the company’s New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco offices. Mr. Blessing is active in energy industry affairs, currently serving in numerous positions on committees within the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). Mr. Blessing received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from San Diego State University in 1960 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1965.