U.S. Department of State Energy Official to speak at International Energy Conference

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Matthew McManus with the U.S. Department of State, along with leading experts in the energy industry, will discuss the state and future of the global and domestic energy resource development at Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business' International Energy Conference. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Cox Business Services Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, in Oklahoma City.

"This conference will be a platform for discussion and dialogue, bringing thought leaders together to share ideas and an opportunity to hear from leaders in the development of international energy resources," said Dr. Steven Agee, dean and professor of economics in the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University (OCU). "Oklahoma City, along with Oklahoma City University, is becoming an energy education center within the United States. The University finds itself surrounded by dynamic and growing energy companies, and with General Electric's decision to build their new Global Energy Research Center here, we fully expect to see continued growth and momentum in the energy sector and energy education in Oklahoma City."

McManus, deputy director of the Office of Public Diplomacy and Policy Analysis from the Bureau of Energy Resources with the U.S. Department of State, and Agee, who is also former president and COO of oil and gas exploration and production companies, will be joined by featured speakers Vello Kuuskraa, president of Advanced Resources International; Michael Farina, senior manager of strategy and analytics for GE Oil and Gas; Francisco Xavier Salazar, chairman of the energy regulatory commission of Mexico; Baille John Reynolds, deputy lord provost of Aberdeen and independent councillor for Bridge of Don, United Kingdom; C. Michael Ming, general manager of GE's Global Research Oil and Gas Technology Center; John Richels, president and CEO of Devon Energy; Wade Hutchings, regional vice president, Mid-Continent asset team, Marathon Oil Co.; C. Renzi Stone, chairman and CEO, Saxum; Jillian Ryan, founding partner, Geopolitical Advisory Partners; David Smallman, managing partner of Pathfinder Team Consulting in the United Kingdom, and Castlen Kennedy, manager of investor relations, Apache Corporation.

Along with the various speakers throughout the day, two panel discussions will take place. An Operators panel discussing "New Cutting-Edge Technologies in the Oil & Gas Industry," and a panel focusing on "Communications in the Energy Industry," particularly internal and external communications in opening new areas of Mexico and the U.K. for shale resource development will highlight the panel discussions.

An international focus will be present throughout the conference, with speakers from the United Kingdom and Mexico providing their perspectives and insight into the global energy mix. "With the opening of Mexico to international oil and natural gas exploration, production and development of infrastructure, the timing of this conference is perfect," said Agee.  Earlier this year a group from the United Kingdom traveled to Oklahoma City to learn more about shale oil and natural gas development.  "We hosted this group for a morning session at Oklahoma City University to answer a multitude of questions they had about on-shore development of the U.K.'s shale resources.  This conference is an extension of those initial discussions," stated Dr. Agee.

Tickets are $150 each and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Melissa Cory at (405) 208-5540 or visit www.okcu.edu/business. The conference is sponsored by the Karl F. and June S. Martin Family Foundation and the Meinders School of Business.

Leslie Berger
Director of Public Relations
Communications and Marketing Department
(405) 208-5348 or [email protected]

Contact: Rod Jones
Assistant Director of Media Relations
Communications and Marketing Department
(405) 208-5347 or [email protected]

SOURCE Oklahoma City University