Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Texas

Sigma Phi Epsilon Education Foundation of Texas Alpha P.O. Box 22025 Houston, TX 77227-2025 Address Service Requested ΣΦΕ T E X A S A L P H A s U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S S I G M A P H I E P S I L O N CCOLAD A E T hough he started out his studies as a geology, pre-med major, halfway through his time at UT, Jim Addison '85 switched to a degree in petroleum engineering. It was a wise move and the start of a decades-long career as a petroleum engineer, in which he has worked in public companies, built his own private firm, and stood as one of the early participants in the Shale revolution. Jim has moved through the industry, working with Amoco, Mitchell Energy, Coastal Oil & Gas, and Newfield Exploration. In 2013, Jim decided it was time for a change from the role he had held within public companies. In March, he resigned from Newfield Exploration and took eight months to start a company of his own. With four other founders and backing from private equity company EnCap, Jim opened the doors to Travis Peak Resources, an Austin-based oil and gas exploration company. Under Jim's leadership as president and CEO, the firm has grown, with 14 employees and a leasing program covering 42,000 acres in the Appalachian Basin of Pennsylvania. "In starting my own business, I've been able to expand the breadth of my involvement within a company. I've enjoyed recruiting and building a team from scratch. Having the chance to build something from nothing has been a great opportunity." Even at this stage in his career, Jim still looks back at his time in SigEp as the baby steps that led to this moment. He served as chaplain, vice president, and chapter president at Texas Alpha and started building the skills he would need to grow a successful business. "As I reflect back, those were my first formal leadership positions within an organization of any size. There was a variety of personalities, priorities, and communication styles. It was the first exposure I'd had to the idea that, yes, we were all on the same team, but that doesn't mean there's automatic alignment on what's most important. What works for one person doesn't always work for another and those opportunities in SigEp gave me good exposure to those realities." SigEp has provided friendships for Jim as well, some life-long and some brand new. "There are a handful of guys who I've kept in close contact with over the years. Whether you pick up the phone or have dinner, it doesn't matter how long it's been, we're still able to pick up right where we left off. Even in my 50s, I've made new friendships where the initial common link was SigEp." Jim and his wife of 30 years, Meg, make their home in Jonestown, Texas, and have two grown daughters, Sarah and Melanie. They have two granddaughters and another grandchild on the way this year. Jim and Meg enjoy boating and fishing and Meg recently took up golf, an activity the two now share. Jim can be reached at jim.addison@austin.rr.com. Join our LinkedIn group to stay up to date with Texas Alpha. www.linkedin.com/ groups/Sigma-Phi-Epsilon- Texas-Alpha-3089903/about Jim Addison '85 Builds Oil and Gas Exploration Company Brother Draws from Lessons Learned at SigEp www.texassigep.org Texas Alpha Online

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