Leadership
The EnerGeo Alliance Board of Directors is responsible for steering the EnerGeo Alliance towards a sustainable future. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the EnerGeo Alliance staff is a well seasoned team that brings a wealth of experience from a diversity of backgrounds.
The Board sets the EnerGeo Alliance’s priorities and ensures capacity and resources to advance the mission and realize the vision. EnerGeo Alliance Board members also play a key role in contributing to the EnerGeo Alliance’s values, culture, and strategic framework, and are association ambassadors and advocates.
With its global presence, the EnerGeo Alliance is without a doubt the premier representative organization of the energy geoscience industry. Whether it’s for mainstay and alternative sources of energy, or lower-carbon solutions, EnerGeo has unsurpassed scientific, regulatory, and HSE expertise and plays a critical role in working with governments and educating the public with credible information and data on the industry’s behalf.
Andrea Lovatini
Director, Exploration Data and Geosolutions
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EnerGeo Alliance Board Chairman
Board of Directors
Staff
The staff who work at the EnerGeo Alliance share the values of the energy geoscience and exploration industry and support the vision and strategic framework of the organization.
President & CEO
Nikki C. Martin
VP of Global Policy & Government Affairs
Dustin Van Liew
VP of Business Operations
Criss Rennie White
VP of Communications
Michela Fumagalli
Scientific Director
Dr. Alex Loureiro
Director of Membership & Committees
Jameson White
Director of Global Policy
Ross Compton
Environment Specialist
Dagmar Fertl
Manager of Programs & Operations
Rose Ingrande
Manager of Executive Operations
Mabel Smetters
Manager of Marketing Communications
Taylor Medlin
Administrative Coordinator
Mariah Cass
Nikki C. Martin
President & CEO
Nikki C. Martin is currently President & CEO of the EnerGeo Alliance. In this position, she is responsible for the EnerGeo Alliance’s global organization and execution of its mission and priorities to optimize the business and regulatory climate and enhance public understanding to support a strong, viable energy geoscience and exploration industry. Nikki is an attorney and government affairs professional with years of experience engaging government regulators globally.
Nikki joined EnerGeo Alliance in 2013. In her previous role as the Vice President for Government and Legal Affairs, she was responsible for monitoring and coordinating EnerGeo Alliance’s review and response to government regulations, directives, and initiatives.
Before joining EnerGeo Alliance, Nikki worked as the Regulatory and Legal Affairs Manager at the Alaska Oil & Gas Association (AOGA) and practiced law in Anchorage, Alaska. Nikki’s prior legislative experience includes serving as staff to U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Ted Stevens and as legislative aide to the Alaska State Senate President and Alaska State House Majority Leader.
Nikki currently sits on the Board of Directors for MicroSeismic, Inc. and the Western Resources Legal Center and is a member of the Alaska Bar Association. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and a Juris Doctor from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College.
Dustin Van Liew
VP of Global Policy & Government Affairs
Dustin Van Liew is the Vice President of Global Policy & Government Affairs at EnerGeo Alliance. He has extensive legislative and regulatory engagement experience at national and international levels.
Dustin, originally from northern California, comes to the EnerGeo Alliance from Washington, D.C. where he served as the Executive Director for the Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Dustin’s leadership regarding legal strategy guided his former organizations through several major victories, including a court decision granting unprecedented legal standing to the livestock organizations and legislative action reducing administrative burdens for ranchers.
With more than fourteen years’ experience in government affairs, Dustin is a leading authority on public and government lands and resource policy issues, thanks to his extensive knowledge of the legislative history and ability to successfully navigate through the many legal challenges facing natural resource-based industries. He is also an expert in providing guidance for resource regulatory frameworks.
Criss Rennie White
VP of Business Operations
Criss Rennie White is the VP of Business Operations and works directly with the President to organize and align the association’s strategic priorities and ensure operational efficiency across all facets of the EnerGeo Alliance’s internal operations. Criss oversees large, often cross-functional, projects and initiatives and brings together important stakeholders to help drive vital decisions and outcomes.
As part of the executive team, Criss is responsible for managing the organization’s finances, providing forward-looking and proactive strategy to support the EnerGeo Alliance’s mission and vision through programs and services. Criss guides and manages the overall provision of Human Resources services, policies, programs, and benefits, and manages all aspects of the EnerGeo Alliance’s office facilities.
In her previous role as Director of Membership and Administration, Criss managed membership activities, including the EnerGeo Alliance Annual Conference. She also developed programs, initiatives, and policies designed to increase and retain membership. She is the longest tenured EnerGeo Alliance staff person and has built long-lasting relationships with the Board of Directors and other industry leaders throughout her career with the EnerGeo Alliance.
Michela Fumagalli
VP of Communications
Michela Fumagalli is the Vice President of Communications at EnerGeo Alliance. She has extensive international experience in both internal and external strategic communications.
In her career, Michela has worked as a partner in a B2B communications agency and headed the communications department of a high-tech start-up producing sustainable graphene, which is now listed on the London Stock Exchange. After relocating from Italy to the U.S., she led communications for an oil & gas service provider in Houston.
Michela holds an MA in Business Communications from IULM University in Milan, Italy, and is a certified journalist. Her 18 years of experience in communications include consulting for the main medium and small-sized business trade association in Italy and publishing books and articles on communications business cases.
Dr. Alex Loureiro
Scientific Director
Dr. Alex Loureiro currently serves as the Scientific Director for the EnerGeo Alliance. She holds a PhD in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston, where her dissertation focused on patterns in longline reef fish catch in the Gulf of Mexico using NOAA fishery observer data. She also holds an MS in Marine Biology from Texas A&M Galveston which focused on habitat use of common bottlenose dolphins in Galveston Bay, and a BS with departmental honors in Marine and Atmospheric Science and Biology, along with minors in Classics and Psychology, from the University of Miami, where her research focused on visual capabilities of a California sea lion and recovery post-cataract surgery.
During Dr. Loureiro’s tenure at the EnerGeo Alliance, she has led crucial initiatives, collaborated with industry partners, and developed numerous industry guidance documents, such as best practices for environmental impact assessments for seismic surveys. Notably, she launched the Gulf of Mexico Proactive Regulatory and Observational Program, a first-of-its-kind industry initiative to support industry compliance with incidental take regulations. Currently, she is spearheading development of the Sound, Environment, and Aquatic Species (SEAS) Research Program, which aims to fund environmental research. Dr. Loureiro has actively participated in industry and academic conferences, presenting her ongoing work and contributing to the scientific literature, while also engaging with EnerGeo members and regulators around the world to ensure that industry activities are conducted in a safe, sustainable manner based on the best available science.
Dr. Loureiro’s dedication to scientific research, industry collaboration, and environmental sustainability continues to drive innovation and positive change in the marine and environmental sciences. She has received recognition for her academic excellence, including membership in Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Gamma Sigma Alpha, and was recently recognized as a finalist for the 2023 GRIT Professional Award, which recognizes difference-makers who are making an impact on energy, sustainability, and climate.
Jameson White
Director of Membership & Committees
Jameson White is the Director of Membership & Committees. As the Membership & Committees Director, Jameson is responsible for managing the integration of the EnerGeo Alliance’s membership, committee and workgroup structure, and strategy. His duties encompass overseeing the development and updating of industry best practices and standards, including health, safety, and environment (HSE) guidance; model contracts; statements of principles; and managing EnerGeo Alliance member-dependent initiatives.
As one of the leaders of the next generation of Juggies, Jameson brings his passion for seismic surveying to the EnerGeo Alliance with over a decade of experience, both in the field and office environments. His experience in the industry and creative thinking brings a unique skill set to the EnerGeo Alliance, helping to lead the energy geoscience and exploration industry into the next transformation. Jameson began his seismic career in early 2006 on a field crew and worked his way through various positions until promoted to Business Development Manager of Alaska.
Ross Compton
Director of Global Policy
Dr. Ross Compton is the Director of Global Policy for EnerGeo Alliance, having worked previously as the EAME Consultant since 2017. Ross has a background in Ecology and Marine Science from the Universities of Edinburgh and Plymouth in the UK, including a doctorate focused on policies for mitigating the impacts of underwater sound on marine life.
Ross entered the geophysical industry in 2005 working on the development of passive acoustic monitoring technology prior to managing marine mammal mitigation services for geophysical and other operations, including construction piling and explosive ordnance disposal. Additionally, Ross holds experience managing high-resolution geophysical and geotechnical surveys for windfarm and oil and gas projects. He has broad industry experience and knowledge of a wide range of regulatory frameworks and has been the main representative of EnerGeo to the regional seas treaty organizations to which EnerGeo holds observer status since 2019.
Dagmar Fertl
Environment Specialist
Dagmar Fertl currently serves as Environment Specialist for EnerGeo Alliance. She holds a Master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University, where her focus was on the association of bottlenose dolphins with the shrimp fishery in Galveston Bay. Dagmar holds a Bachelor in Science in Biology from Trinity University.
Dagmar is a marine protected species expert with more than 25 years of experience with marine mammals and issues affecting them. She has worked both within the Federal government (National Marine Fisheries Service and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management – Minerals Management Service at the time) and as a government contractor (primarily Department of Navy projects).
Rose Ingrande
Manager of Programs and Operations
Rose Ingrande is the EnerGeo Alliance’s Manager of Programs and Operations and plays an essential role in sustaining the organization’s programs by providing administrative support and working closely with the management team to oversee a variety of tasks related to the Alliance’s initiatives.
Rose brings 23 years of professional experience from the trade show and live events industry. As a former Purchasing Director, she managed company expenditures, contract negotiations, vendor relations, and purchasing operations nationwide.
Rose’s experience also includes project workflows, processes, and procedures. Her passion for technology and experience in software architecture, database management, and process implementation are key components in supporting the EnerGeo Alliance’s initiatives.
Mabel Smetters
Manager of Executive Operations
Mabel is the Manager of Executive Operations for EnerGeo Alliance, a role that perfectly aligns with her multifaceted skill set. In this capacity, she coordinates a myriad of crucial tasks, ensuring the seamless functioning of the organization. As the driving force behind the operational success of the company, Mabel’s primary focus centers on supporting the president while also providing invaluable assistance to the entire office.
Mabel is a seasoned professional with a background deeply rooted in the heart of Houston, Texas. Born and raised amidst the energy and innovation of this vibrant city, Mabel’s journey has been marked by determination and achievements that have left a lasting impact.
Mabel embarked on her educational path at the University of Houston, where she honed her skills and laid the foundation for her future endeavors. After her academic journey, Mabel made her mark in the competitive landscape of the oil and gas industry. Her seven-year tenure in quality control not only showcased her dedication but also underscored her commitment to excellence.
Taylor Medlin
Manager of Marketing Communications
Taylor Medlin is the Manager of Marketing Communications at EnerGeo Alliance.
Taylor brings experience in both internal and external communications across industries, including the utility sector, law, public speaking, and publishing. She has a proven track record in spearheading media relations campaigns, internal brand rollout initiatives and organizational communications strategy.
Previously, Taylor served as a Communications and Media Relations Specialist, developing and maintaining communication strategies for a prominent utility company. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Mariah Cass
Administrative Coordinator
Mariah is the Administrative Coordinator at EnerGeo Alliance.
With a background in the energy and healthcare manufacturing industries, she possesses excellent organizational skills. In her previous roles, she has provided administrative support to executives and organized internal events. At EnerGeo, Mariah is responsible for coordinating the administration of the Regulatory and Government, Membership Management, and Science departments.
