Leadership

Friends and Alumni Network Board 2025-2026

Sam Shrull, B.S. 16

President

Quantum Capital Group

Sam went on to complete his M.S. in Geology at Louisiana State University in 2018. After a stint mud logging in the Delaware Basin, Sam returned to Houston in 2019. He worked as an Engineering Tech and Jr. Geologist for Crescent Pass Energy from January 2020 to August 2024. He currently works at Quantum Capital Group as an Engineering Analyst.

Favorite Jackson School Memory: Winning the chili cook-off during field camp (we used some field gathered sage as a secret ingredient)

 

Thomas Etzel, Ph.D. ’20

President-Elect

ExxonMobil

Thomas received a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020. His dissertation focused on reconstructing the tectono-metamorphic history of western Turkey during the Alpine Orogeny. After graduating, he started a fulltime position at ExxonMobil where he is currently a basin and petroleum systems analyst supporting exploration and new opportunities. Prior to attending UT-Austin, Thomas attending the University of Utah, earning a B.S. and M.S. (both in geology). During his time at Utah, Thomas gaining experience in mineral exploration and geothermal energy through internships and thesis research.

Favorite Jackson School Memory: Meeting my wife!

 

Max Daniller-Varghese, Ph.D. ’19

Past President  

The Center for Water and the Environment at the University of Texas at Austin

Max is currently a Research Associate at The Center for Water and the Environment at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his research appointment he worked as a data scientist in both healthcare and geospatial companies. Most recently he was a Senior Data Scientist at CVS but he has also wrangled large-scale point-clouds of the Earth’s surface, and forecast weather at the seasonal scale. In his doctoral work he studied how the Earth’s surface changes its shape through time by moving sediment in rivers, coastlines, and marine environments.

 

Katherine Garcia, M.S. ’23

Networking Director

Exxon Mobil

Katherine Garcia became a geoscientist at ExxonMobil in 2023. She earned her master’s degree in Energy and Earth Resources from the University of Texas at Austin, building on her undergraduate studies in Geosciences at Franklin & Marshall College. As a proud GeoFORCE alumna, she attributes her success to the program that first ignited her passion for geology and STEM careers. Katherine advocates for initiatives empowering the next generation of geoscientists.

Outreach Director (position currently open)

 

Alessandra Millican, B.A. ’11

Colorado Chapter Director

LandGate

Alessandra received a B.A. in Geosciences and Business, and has worked in the energy industry for more than 10 years. She started her career as a geologist focusing in the Eagle Ford Shale and became an industry-expert in LDAR audits to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. As an executive of the LandGate team, Alessandra manages the existing client base and a team that supports energy companies across the world. Before joining LandGate, she worked as the Renewable Energy Lead for Esri and developed Esri’s global renewable energy strategy by successfully growing the industry while building an unprecedented renewable energy location intelligence community. She has been featured in multiple publications, was chosen as a renewable energy thought leader, and was selected to be an international keynote speaker for her work in the renewable energy community. Alessandra is passionate about enabling renewable energy companies to operate more efficiently by utilizing groundbreaking technology.

 

Kris Voorhees, B.S. ’14, M.S. ’16

Colorado Chapter Director

BPX Energy

Kris earned his B.S. in 2014 and M.S. in 2016 from the University of Texas at Austin, studying under Dr. Charlie Kerans with a focus on carbonate sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. He began his career at Apache Corporation, first as an exploration geologist in the Suriname–Guyana Basin, then as a development geologist in the Permian Basin. In 2021, he joined ExxonMobil as a geosteering specialist in their Remote Operations Center before taking on the role of lead geologist at Boomtown Oil, LLC, where he spent 2.5 years advancing the company’s position in the DJ Basin.

 

Marcy Davis, M.S. ’01

Austin Chapter Director

University of Texas Institute for Geophysics

Marcy is currently an Engineering Scientist at UTIG, a position she has held since receiving her M.S. Degree in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001. Marcy supports research staff and students in the field and in the lab and is the Program Manager for the Marine Geology and Geophysics Field Course.

 

 

 

 

Patricia Ascanio-Pellon, M.S. ’23

Houston Chapter Director

ExxonMobil

Patricia joined ExxonMobil in 2023 and is currently working as an exploration geoscientist in the West-Africa Established Areas team. She first became interested in the oil and gas industry after a mudlogging stint in Colorado and west Texas. She was impressed by the diverse and vast amount of geoscience knowledge applied within the oil and gas field. Patricia continued pursuing a career in oil and gas by interning with ExxonMobil’s Low Carbon Solutions organization in 2022 and was hired after completing her M.S. from the Jackson School. Her thesis focused on Cuban detrital zircon geochronology and Caribbean tectonics. Outside of work, Patricia enjoys playing sports (volleyball, basketball, pickleball) with her husband, traveling, and going thrifting.

Favorite Jackson School Memory: Beers on The Patio and lab meetings at Crown & Anchor Pub.

 

 

Dan Horodecky, B.S. ’16

Houston Chapter Director

Aspen Insurance

 

Dan is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he received his B.S. in Environmental Science: Geology in 2016. After graduation Dan worked in the environmental consulting field in San Antonio before continuing his education and received his M.S. in Geology from the University of Tennessee in 2019. From there Dan resumed his professional career in environmental consulting in Houston, TX at ERM up until 2022. Utilizing his consulting experience, Dan then transitioned his career into the seldom known world of Environmental Underwriting, where he advises on coverages and policy structure for commercial entities with significant environmental exposures.

 

Keelan Umbarger, B.S. ’15

San Antonio Chapter Director

EOG Resources

Keelan is a proud graduate of the University of Texas where he received his B.S. in Geology in 2015. After graduating from UT he continued his education and received his M.S. in Geology from the University of Kansas. After school Keelan began his career at EOG resources where he has been for over 6 years. Keelan has held several positions at EOG, but has spent the majority of his career scouting for new exploration plays in Texas, New Mexico, and Lousiana. Since May 2024, Keelan relocated to EOG’s San Antonio office and is now working as a development geologist for their Eagle ford play in South Texas.

Favorite Jackson School memory: Popping champagne as the aluminosilicate triple point at field camp.

 

Reed Roush, B.S. ’12, M.S. ‘15

San Antonio Chapter Director

ExGeCo

Reed graduated from the Jackson School of Geosciences twice.  He completed a B.S. in 2012, and a M.S. in 2015.  Reed is the President of ExGeCo, a firm focused on prospecting for oil and gas in Texas.  Prior to ExGeCo, he worked at EOG Resources for 10 years.  During his tenure, he developed the Eagle Ford, and explored and appraised numerous exploration projects across Texas and Louisiana.