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Senior
Advisors
First Reserve’s Senior Advisor network is comprised of highly respected individuals who possess deep experience and relationships in the global energy industry.
The Senior Advisors are independent professionals that work with First Reserve and our portfolio companies on a non-exclusive basis, originating new investment opportunities, advising on transactions, contributing to developing sector insights, providing operational and energy industry-specific expertise, and leveraging a broad base of key relationships. First Reserve believes its association with the Senior Advisors enhances our ability to create value, serving both our investors and our portfolio companies by optimizing opportunities around the world. While not employees of First Reserve, these professionals have a strong and strategic professional connection with First Reserve.
Name 
Title
- Barbara BaumannSenior Advisor
Barbara Baumann
Senior Advisor
Barbara Baumann joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2019. In this role, Ms. Baumann is expected to leverage her extensive experience throughout the energy value chain, as well as driving ESG initiatives, to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio and expertise.
Currently, Ms. Baumann serves as President of Cross Creek Energy Corporation, an energy investor in and a strategic consultant to the energy sector. Prior to holding that position, she worked for Amoco Corporation and then its successor, BP Corporation, for 18 years, holding various operating and financial positions including leading one of Amoco’s six upstream business units in North America and as CFO of its environmental subsidiary. Ms. Baumann is a director of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) and National Fuel Gas Co. (NYSE: NFG) and is an independent trustee of the Putnam Mutual Funds. Additionally, she is active in non-profits in her resident state of Colorado. Ms. Baumann holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Mount Holyoke College.
- Gary BuchlerSenior Advisor
Gary Buchler
Senior Advisor
Gary Buchler joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2018. In this role, Mr. Buchler is expected to leverage his broad experience in the midstream and midstream-related equipment and services industries to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio and expertise in these sectors.
Most recently, Mr. Buchler served as Chief Operating Officer of the Gas Pipeline Business Unit for Kinder Morgan (“KMI”). Prior to holding that position, he spent approximately 40 years with KMI in various roles overseeing the engineering, operations, environment/health/safety, and land management business functions of the company. Additionally, Mr. Buchler played a key role in multiple M&A transactions for Kinder Morgan. Mr. Buchler holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management.
- Gary HalversonSenior Advisor
Gary Halverson
Senior Advisor
Gary Halverson joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2016. In this role, Mr. Halverson is expected to leverage his extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, particularly in manufacturing, equipment and oilfield and general energy services, to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio and expertise in these sectors.
Currently, Mr. Halverson serves as a director of NexTier Oilfield Solutions Inc. (NYSE: NEX). Mr. Halverson recently served as Senior Vice President of Cameron International Corporation and Group President of Drilling and Production Systems. Prior to holding these positions, he spent 35 years with Cameron in various management roles both in the United States and overseas including President of Surface Systems and Vice President and General Manager, Western Hemisphere. Mr. Halverson holds an A.A. from Odessa College.
- Steve MuellerSenior Advisor
Steve Mueller
Senior Advisor
Steve Mueller joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2016. In this role, Mr. Mueller is expected to leverage his extensive operational experience in the U.S. oil and natural gas industries to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio.
Most recently, Mr. Mueller spent 8 years with Southwestern Energy in various management roles including Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, and President and COO. Prior to holding these positions, Mr. Mueller served as Executive Vice President of CDX Gas after spending 6 years with Houston Exploration Company where he held various senior positions. In addition, Mr. Mueller has 26 years of further industry experience with Belco Oil and Gas Corporation, American Exploration, Fina Oil and Tenneco Oil. Mr. Mueller holds a B.S. from the Colorado School of Mines.
- Tim ProbertSenior Advisor
Tim Probert
Senior Advisor
Tim Probert joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2014. In this role, Mr. Probert is expected to leverage his broad experience in the global upstream equipment and services industry to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio and expertise in this sector.
Most recently, Mr. Probert served as Strategic Advisor to the CEO of Halliburton Company. Prior to holding that position, he spent 11 years with Halliburton in various roles including President of Strategy & Corporate Development, President of Global Business Lines and President of the Drilling & Evaluation Division. Previously, Mr. Probert served as President and CEO of ION Geophysical Corporation (formerly Input Output Inc.) after spending 27 years with various operating units of Baker Hughes Incorporated during which time he was President of Baker Hughes Inteq. He formerly served as a Director of El Paso Corp. Mr. Probert holds a B.S. from the University of London.
- Paul WoodSenior Advisor
Paul Wood
Senior Advisor
Paul Wood joined the First Reserve Senior Advisor Program in 2019. In this role (and as a former First Reserve portfolio company CEO), Mr. Wood is expected to leverage his broad experience in the downstream services industry to enhance First Reserve’s portfolio and expertise.
Mr. Wood previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services (“Brand”) for 12 years, prior to its combination in 2017 with Safway to form Brand/Safway. Brand was a portfolio company of First Reserve Funds X and XI from 2007-2013. Prior to Brand, he held a variety of management roles at General Electric and Textron Lycoming Corporation from 1988-2004. He is also a Director of Combat Marine Outdoors – a charitable organization supporting wounded veterans. Mr. Wood holds a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering, both from The Ohio State University.