LANDMAN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

66th Annual Meeting Recap Virtual format brings members together during pandemic

The 66th Annual Meeting was an event unlike any other in AAPL’s history. The 2020 pandemic derailed several months of planning by staff and the Annual Meeting and Education committees — and what should have been the most beautiful setting with Pacific Ocean waves crashing onto the pristine sand of Huntington Beach, California. Instead — and in very short order — a new plan was hatched to host the meeting virtually. The AAPL Board of Directors also elected to offer the digital Annual Meeting to its members at no cost — a $600-plus value. Utilizing an online platform as the new host for the Annual Meeting, the staff worked together to deliver an impressive program loaded with 18 on-demand education sessions. The by/ ANDREA M. result? A record 2,335 members registered to participate in SPENCER, CEM the event and earn continuing education credits toward their professional development. All education and special event speakers AAPL Production prerecorded their sessions, giving virtual attendees access to Manager a total of 20.5 continuing education credits. If you missed the chance to participate in this free member benefit, videos may now be purchased on AAPL’s website in the On-Demand Webinars section of the new Education – Online webpage at landman.org/ professional-development/education/education-online. Equipping members with additional anywhere/anytime resources, AAPL also launched its new mobile app just in time for the Annual Meeting. With this free download, registered members were able to unlock education session papers and other helpful resources, rate speakers and sessions, bookmark events to build a personalized calendar, interact with sponsors, export any notes they took during the sessions and access a roster of registered attendees simply using their AAPL username and password credentials. The AAPL Board of The Opening Session debuted online the morning of June 18 with an address by AAPL President Jay Directors offered the Beavers, CPL, as he shared a few stories and images digital Annual Meeting to of his family’s property at Beavers Ranch. He thanked its members at no cost – Annual Meeting Chairman Jason Downs, CPL, for the A $600+ committee’s efforts to plan what would have been a VALUE. memorable in-person event and the Education Annual Meeting Seminar Committee for their tremendous

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2,335 Sessions were 15 AWARDS MEMBERS prerecorded, giving WERE REGISTERED virtual attendees access to PRESENTED 20.5 CONTINUING to participate in the event to deserving and earn continuing EDUCATION members and local education credits. CREDITS. associations.

\19 LANDMANA MAAN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBERS EMM ER/ C E 20200 efforts to secure speakers. He also and Colorado Mesa University. Immediately following the Opening recognized individuals celebrating Foundation sponsorships enabled Session, the Awards Ceremony major milestones of 40 and 50 years several students to attend AAPL’s spotlighted land professionals and as AAPL members (listed on page four regional land institutes — Gulf local associations honored for their 21) and announced that a record Coast, Mining and Land Resources, service and achievements during the 617 certification applications had Santa Fe and Southwest — and last fiscal year. Awards Committee been submitted — an indication that $30,000 was contributed in disaster Chairman Bobo Clarke, CPL, members are taking advantage of a relief for members during the 2019- presented 15 awards to deserving valuable member benefit and sending 2020 fiscal year. members and local associations. The a message to the rest of the industry Following the Educational prestigious Lifetime Achievement that land professionals are committed Foundation report, Second Vice Award went to Harold J. Anderson, to raising the level of professionalism. President Wendy Dalton, CPL, CPL/ESA, (AAPL president 2004) Also featured during the Opening updated members on the Landman of the Professional Landmen’s Session, Third Vice President Sean Scholarship Trust’s efforts in the Association of New Orleans, and Tasha Marshall, CPL, provided an update last fiscal year, reporting that its Caple, RPL, of the Nevada Landmen’s on the financial position of the AAPL corpus is just over $6 million. Association received the Landman of Educational Foundation, which Scholarships totaling $176,000 the Year Award. The Pioneer Award included donations of $118,000 in were awarded to 47 students in was given posthumously to Michael education grants to organizations nine undergraduate programs, and Late Benedum — “The Greatest that are helping support its mission $20,000 in scholarships went to five Wildcatter” — for his tremendous of promoting education for AAPL students in three graduate programs. contribution to the industry during members and the general public. This year’s Outstanding Graduate his lifetime. Top association honors Recipients of these grants included was Taylor Stoute of the University of went to the Ark-La-Tex Association of the East Texas Oil Museum, IPAA/ Oklahoma. Stoute was chosen from Professional Landmen as the Local PESA Energy Education Center, the four finalists, including Ross Keller Association of the Year. To see a full list Blankenship Student Awareness of Marietta College, Muneeb Yousufi of Award Winners, including profiles of Initiative, NAPE/TCU Energy of the University of Tulsa and Quintin the recipients for the top awards, turn Innovation Case Competition Little of West Virginia University. to page 24.

Above: Outgoing President Jay Beavers presents the gavel to incoming President Lester Zitkus.

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40 & 50 YEAR MEMBER RECOGNITION AAPL is pleased to honor the following members... 40 40 Years 50 Years James B. Abney Jr., CPL Sergio T. Miranda, CPL William F. Bailey Michael P. Moore, CPL Kelly P. Beckham, RPL Years Charles A. Morgan J. Percy Bernard Jr. Brent J. Morse Michael K. Blumn, CPL Clark D. Crawford Michael R. Mulvey Steve R. Boudreau, RPL Robert G. Neal, CPL Jerry K. Bramwell Micheal O. Franzen, CPL Wyatt T. Norman III, CPL C. Keith Brewer, CPL Henry F. Merritt, CPL Ralph L. Parsons, CPL Beckie Wieting Bright, CPL/ESA William N. Phillips Marlin K. Brown, CPL William M. Middleton, CPL Cherry A. Prather Henry M. Brown A. Byron Pugh III, CPL Robert Mark Bruscato Charles L. Stephenson, CPL John W. Raine IV, CPL Steven A. Bryson, CPL C. E. Trousdale, CPL Raymond P. Riddle, CPL Paul J. Burdick, CPL Thomas S. Calkins, CPL Joe M. Van Auken, CPL Erik Romero, CPL Robert P. Chandler Jr., CPL Thomas M. Rucker II, CPL Gordon E. Coe Jr., CPL John M. Wells Josef F. Rusnak Philip O. Cook Thomas J. Scarbrough Larry W. Coppedge, CPL Ewell Z. Schirmer Jr., CPL Jane R. Crouch, CPL Linda C. Sellers, RPL Mark S. Dale, CPL Jim D. Slade, CPL Donna J. Davis, CPL Kevin B. Harwi James R. Sledge, CPL Thomas J. Deacon Steven R. Heape Roger A. Soape, CPL D. Steven Degenfelder, CPL Charles E. Heilmann, CPL Timothy R. Spack Phil C. DeLozier, CPL V.J. Hilsher Jr. Charles A. Speer, CPL Robert W. Hodge, CPL Stephen K. Denny Eric D. Stinson, CPL J. David Hoffman, RPL William E. Dent III Lois D. Szczekocki Stephen E. Holloway Alan S. Dille Jack C. Taylor Jr, CPL Mark S. Holt JoAnn Dubler, CPL Gary L. Todd Craig Hubbard, CPL Ricky J. Dupuis Steve A. Tofte, CPL Beverly S. Johnson, CPL Ralph L. Edwards Jr. Ron Tuminello, CPL Douglas G. Jones, CPL Dan D. Fisher, RPL Richard W. Turrentine Dan C. Foland Robert W. Kelsey, CPL Marc M. Wade David M. Frazier, CPL Frederick J. Kent, CPL Eugene W. Walck Jr. Michael L. Galiga, Esq., CPL Richard D. Kimberlin Huntington T. Walker, CPL Joseph M. Gianola, CPL Randy King, CPL Ben T. Waller Jr. Richard M. Gill, CPL Jack E. King, RPL Timothy F. Warren, CPL Carol A. Glass, CPL David W. Klym, CPL Mark S. Goughnour Stephen M. Knapp, CPL Brian H. Wert James Lee Grigson, CPL Jarlon Magee Charles E. Wetegrove, CPL James L. Gunderson, CPL A. E. Martin, CPL Randall L. Wheeler John H. Hale Max L. Mazy Daniel R. Willits, CPL Paul Hall, CPL Harold W. McAden James R. Wilson Alan R. Hannifin W. Thomas McRae Stephen M. Windle Donald L. Hansen Jr., CPL Robert T. Merrill, RPL Edmund R. Wood Karen E. Hanson-Flowers Ronald R. Miles, CPL Kyle D. Wood D. Neal Harrington Bryant G. Miller, CPL Robert F. Wright

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Beavers also presented two in the oil and gas industry. SPECIAL BALLOT Presidential Meritorious awards: The ceremony concluded with RESULTS The first went to David R. Cape, Marshall presenting Nancy C. CPL, (AAPL president 1998) for McCaskell, CPL, with this year’s his efforts in leading a task force Blankenship Family Horizon Award. In lieu of in-person voting to secure AAPL’s new executive The day concluded with the during the Business Meeting, vice president, and the second Membership & Business Meeting. ballots were emailed to all Active was presented to Executive This prerecorded event enabled members with three measures Assistant/Office Manager Jodi members to hear about the state up for approval from the voting Gallegos for her invaluable of the association and AAPL’s membership. On the docket this assistance to Jay and AAPL First financial position. President year was a proposal to change lady Julia Beavers during his Beavers addressed questions the definition of landwork to presidential year. previously been submitted by The Opening Session Keynote members regarding the ballot include those members working featured Colin Fenton, chairman initiatives and encouraged as land professionals in the of TPH Commodities. Fenton members to vote in the electronic energy sector not directly provided participants with election. related to the traditional oil, gas some intriguing statistics about Treasurer Jason Maloy, CPL, and hard mineral industries. how the current pandemic has followed with a quarterly update Another measure included affected the oil and gas industry. and multiyear view along with a change to the definition of Timely and incredibly relevant, unofficial projections based on student membership to prevent his topic on “What Path for Oil the state of AAPL’s finances at and Gas Recovery From the the end of the second quarter on students who are not enrolled in Great Intercession” helped cast March 31. Quarter over quarter, AAPL-accredited programs from some light on possible avenues total assets declined 16.49%, gaining approval as student for the industry to get back to a revenue increased 42.33%, members of AAPL. The final pre-COVID-19 baseline for global expenses climbed 49.33% and measure sought approval for the oil demand. He compared the total investments were down minutes from the 2019 Annual current recovery process among 17.01%. Year over year, total assets Meeting in Pittsburgh. 37 economies and covered how were down 7.73%, revenue dipped For the two bylaws the markets have been shaped 15.18%, expenses were up 11.37% historically during previous and total investments dropped amendments, a two-thirds downturns to paint a better 5.83%. The decreases were majority was required. With picture for what might be in store attributed to market volatility in 1,400 Active members for the oil and gas industry. AAPL’s investment accounts and participating in the ballot, all Later that afternoon, the lower than expected revenue from three measures overwhelming prerecorded Horizon Award NAPE, which combined make up passed with the following Ceremony streamed online AAPL’s largest revenue sources. results: 85% in favor of and was hosted by the AAPL He also noted that while AAPL changing the definition of Educational Foundation and experienced a tough quarter, sponsored by Steptoe & Johnson. when compared to a multiyear landwork, 81% in favor of Last year’s recipient of the perspective, the association is changing the definition of Blankenship Family Horizon still in a healthy financial position student membership and 98% Award, Pam Feist, CPL, (AAPL and is living within its means. in favor of approving the 2019 president 2016), delivered Maloy also reviewed the LST and Business Meeting minutes. the keynote address during Educational Foundation financials the ceremony that honors a and noted that while they also trailblazing woman in the oil experienced a challenging quarter and gas industry. Feist gave a due to the onset of the COVID-19 fascinating presentation detailing pandemic, both accounts were the gender imbalance in the still in a healthy position when workforce and sharing statistics compared to a multiyear look back. from several studies, including Each year, the membership a joint study by the World meeting also provides a chance Petroleum Council and Boston for the outgoing president to Consulting Group that shows share the accomplishments women are an “untapped reserve” achieved during their term.

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Beavers’ highlights included the Beavers Memorial Endowment struggling and the association hiring of a new EVP at AAPL and Excellence Fund at UT Austin’s is continuously offering ways to the separation of the Education McCombs School of Business. This help. With deadline extensions for Committee into three distinct fund was established in 2013 by certification, deferred increases committees — the Education the Energy Management Program in membership dues, professional Annual Meeting Seminar Advisory Council for the purpose development assistance, free Committee, the Education of assisting the development and educational opportunities and the Development Committee and the maintenance of the program at UT addition of a more robust career RPL/CPL Education Committee — Austin. Beavers was also presented center, he reiterated the multitude of to more evenly distribute the with a Beretta that featured a benefits available to members. It will demands of the committee. Other personalized stock plate with his be a difficult year for AAPL’s bottom significant achievements included initials and term of service as AAPL’s line, but Zitkus reiterated AAPL the addition of 16 new ethics videos, president. A special video included was built to be able to withstand upgrades to Contract Center, 12 new photos of Beavers’ pre-COVID-19 downturns, and he is confident that nonsubscription forms added to the presidential travels as he met with AAPL will recover and be stronger website and the inaugural Advanced local associations and attended and better. Landman’s Seminar, which was AAPL events. Many thanks to our speakers for co-hosted by AAPL and the Rocky During his inauguration remarks, quickly adapting so that the staff Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Zitkus shared his desire for AAPL could record and edit presentations; and is slated to take place again to stay at the forefront of the the Education Annual Meeting every other year. land industry, recognizing that Seminar Committee for their Closing out the Membership & there will be challenges as the tremendous efforts to secure Business Meeting, members were industry and country remain in a speakers; and Steptoe & Johnson, able to watch AAPL EVP Greta state of uncertainty. He believes Liskow & Lewis, PBLA, NAPE, Zeimetz, CAE, present the Golden opportunities for improvement Texas Tech University, University of Lease on Life to Beavers, the and potential growth exist as the Wyoming, Murfin Drilling Co. Inc., ceremonious passing of the gavel to association adapts to the changing Click Energy, Crimson Midstream incoming President Lester Zitkus, dynamic of the land profession. He LLC, Tall Cotton Energy, Paragon CPL, appreciation gifts for the announced AAPL’s new Executive Partners LTD and Stoel Rives LLP outgoing president and remarks from Council on Diversity and Inclusion, for their generous sponsorships. the incoming president. which will be charged with We can’t wait to host the Annual On behalf of the 2019-20 Executive developing a plan to ensure AAPL is Meeting in traditional fashion if Committee, newly installed President progressing toward an association travel restrictions are lifted and Zitkus presented Beavers with a that fosters these values. Zitkus hope to see you in Banff, Alberta, donation in his name to the Jim also acknowledged members are June 23-26, 2021! See you in Banff (hopefully)! JUNE 23-26, 2021

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Please help us congratulate the 2019-20 Annual Meeting Award winners.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT LANDMAN OF THE YEAR Harold J. Anderson, CPL/ESA Tasha Caple, RPL Professional Landmen’s Association of New Orleans Nevada Landmen’s Association

Pioneer Largest Growth Percentage of AAPL Membership – Michael Late Benedum Large Association “The Greatest Wildcatter” Fort Worth Association of Professional Landmen

Local Association of the Year Largest Percentage of AAPL Membership – Ark-La-Tex Association of Professional Landmen Large Association Houston Association of Professional Landmen Presidential Meritorious David R. Cape, CPL Largest Percentage of AAPL Membership – Medium Association Presidential Meritorious North Houston Association of Professional Landmen Jodi Gallegos Largest Percentage of AAPL Membership – Small Association Best AAPL Director’s Communication Tri-State Association of Professional Landmen Robert Rice, CPL Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen Special Award – Education M. Ryan Kirby Best Newsletter/Bulletin Communication – Large Association Houston Association of Professional Landmen Ark-La-Tex Association of Professional Landmen The Register, Vol. XXXIII, No. 7 Special Award – Community Service Stephanie Magers Best Newsletter/Bulletin Communication – Houston Association of Professional Landmen Medium Association North Houston Association of Professional Landmen Special Award – AAPL Advocacy NHAPL Fall 2019 Newsletter Ronald K. Munn, CPL/ESA Houston Association of Professional Landmen Best Newsletter/Bulletin Communication – Small Association Outstanding Graduate Los Angeles Association of Professional Landmen Taylor Stoute The Override, Vol. XII, Issue I University of Oklahoma

PIONEER AWARD MICHAEL LATE BENEDUM, “THE GREATEST WILDCATTER” After a chance encounter, Michael Benedum began his career as a landman and spent the next 60 years finding oil across four continents. Known as the “Greatest Wildcatter,” Benedum turned his tremendous oilfield triumphs into a $100 million fortune. His legacy lives on through a charitable foundation committed to helping people help themselves. In Benedum’s words: “A wildcatter can’t quit, no matter how enormous the odds against him. The oil’s there waiting, but it won’t show itself unless you seek it and seek it strenuously.” Another memorable quote: “No man who has never had the experience can understand the feeling of exhilaration that comes when you bring in an oil well, especially your first one. You are staggered and filled with awe at the realization that you have triumphed over a stubborn and unyielding Nature, forcing her to give up some of her treasure.”

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HAROLD J. ANDERSON, CPL/ESA Harold Anderson’s service to the land profession spans more than 50 years. In the words of a colleague: “He is a true, lifelong servant of AAPL and is one of the most genuine, approachable and caring people you’ll ever meet.” A graduate of Chalmette High School, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and an MBA from Loyola University in New Orleans before beginning his career with Texaco in New Orleans in 1966. He left Texaco as a landman in 1975 and has been an independent professional landman ever since. Anderson owns and operates five companies: Harold J. Anderson Inc., Southern Title & Abstract Co. Inc., Kare-Sure Energy Inc., Delta Land & Title Co. and Anderson Environmental Services Inc. Along with his team, he performs all facets of landwork, including oil, gas and mineral lease acquisition, title research, abstract of title, title curative, due diligence and rights of way across the United States. He is a member of various local landmen’s associations, including PLANO, LAPL, HAPL and MAPL. He served two terms as president of PLANO, he’s been named Landman of the Year twice and his company, Harold J. Anderson Inc., earned Company of the Year honors. In addition, Anderson created and continues to promote PLANO’s Annual Sponsor Program. On a national level, Anderson has chaired various AAPL committees and served numerous terms as a member of the Executive Committee — as third vice president, first vice president and, ultimately, AAPL president in 2004. He was named AAPL Landman of the Year in 2000. Anderson’s numerous honors include the American Petroleum Institute’s 2003 API-Delta Meritorious Service Award, demonstrating his commitment to the industry and community. In 2019 alone, he received AAPL’s Presidential Meritorious Award and PLANO’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

LANDMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD TASHA CAPLE, RPL Tasha Caple started her land career as a land assistant and progressively advanced to her current role as senior landman. In the words of a colleague: “She exemplifies all aspects of an ethical and professional landman. Her strongest landman characteristics are honesty, organization, loyalty, attention to detail and an extensive knowledge of the mining law with regard to unpatented mining claims.” In March 2019, Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Goldcorp Corp. initiated an agreement to combine their gold mining assets to form the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture. In the short 3½ months between March and July, the Barrick Gold land department was charged with organizing, preparing and filing the required land, mining, ranch and water rights deeds and transfer documents from both companies to bring all land and water assets into Nevada Gold Mines LLC. Stepping up to the challenge of this monumental task, Caple showed her leadership skills by taking the main role of directing all the aspects required to complete the transfer of over 2 million acres of land assets from at least 17 different corporate entities into NGM. The documents that she was tasked with organizing included transfer deeds for land, royalties, mining, water rights, ranch along with numerous assignments, consents and waivers. The volumes of deed and other documents were hand- delivered and filed by Caple with five different county recorders, the Bureau of Land Management and several other state and federal agencies. During this same time frame, she took the lead role for managing the annual filing of the unpatented mining claims for both Barrick and Newmont. More than 32,000 unpatented mining claims were filed. She managed the whole filing process and sat at the BLM office for several days to ensure that each page was stamped correctly. She completed all filings ahead of schedule to ensure that the team had time to review prior to the filing deadline. Another aspect where she went above and beyond was taking control of the Barrick and Newmont land information data tracking systems to ensure that the data was transferred accurately and was within the quality control parameters. She worked closely with her staff to create a hybrid land tracking system to track all land obligations and make sure payments were completed in a timely manner. An active member of the local Nevada Landmen’s Association, Caple is serving her second term as the NLA webmaster and chairs the NLA Elections of Officers Nomination Committee. She is a great example and mentor to younger upcoming landmen. Also involved in her community, Caple serves as a Girl Scouts leader and assists with a girls softball league.

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