ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT DAX MCDAVID, M.A. CLASS OF 2006

December 31, 2024

Dax McDavid has been involved with the Jackson School family in numerous capacities over the past 20 years. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Jackson School and has remained an active member of the Jackson School community since graduation.

Following the completion of his master’s degree in 2006, Dax proudly served on the Friends and Alumni Network Board, recruiting students and promoting new initiatives at the school. In that role, he also mentored students, a passion he continues to actively pursue.

Dax is currently an ambassador for the new Student and Alumni Network, which connects students with alumni for career and personal development advice to help students navigate potential career paths and build their professional networks.

“One of the most important things you can do is find a good mentor,” Dax said. “This person needs to be someone you look up to, respect, and feel comfortable asking many questions. Having an experienced person in the industry to turn to, particularly someone you trust and admire, is invaluable.”

Building the foundation for his future success, Dax worked as a research assistant at the Bureau of Economic Geology while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He started his career as a geoscientist at Stalker Energy, where he worked for 10 years. In 2013, he joined Brigham Minerals, where he progressed into various leadership positions, eventually becoming Senior Vice President of Exploration.

In 2019, Dax played a critical role in Brigham Minerals’ evolution from a privately funded startup to a successful publicly traded company. Dax also played a key role in leading Brigham Minerals through a corporate merger with Sitio Royalties in 2022. At Sitio, he currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, a role in which he oversees the geoscience team and pursues new venture opportunities.

Over the last 20 years, while advancing his career and raising a family, Dax has continued to be a vital part of the Jackson School community. As a current member of the Advisory Council, he helps guide the school’s vision and direction.

Dax and his wife Kristen, who is also a University of Texas graduate, feel a strong connection to the university and to the Jackson School, which inspired them to establish a scholarship endowment.

“The Jackson School is a special place that profoundly impacted my education, profession, and life. It’s best in class, and we want to keep it that way,” he said. “Our family is happy to support the Jackson School and to ensure that future geoscientists have what they need to succeed.”