Derek S. Evans is a creative maverick with over 18 years of experience in energy, venture building, alternative investments, and entrepreneurship. Serving as Partner and CEO of EnerBlock Capital, he leads the integration of traditional energy assets with innovative Bitcoin mining technology, driving sustainable growth. Derek founded Veteran Oil Partners in 2010, overcoming early challenges to achieve significant successes, including the “Operation: Preserve Legacy” initiative, which has honored more than 40 fallen veterans by naming wells after them and supporting veteran-themed charities. In 2011, he established Veteran Exploration & Production, a multi-state oil and gas operating company. Under his leadership, the company made multiple new field discoveries and, along with Veteran Oil Partners, has produced over 530,000 barrels of oil and counting. In 2015, Derek acquired Rock Solid Custom Granite, boosting its growth and profitability. In 2020, he founded Tunnel Equity Partners, focusing on the express car wash sector. The firm, capitalized at $18 million, has appreciated in value to approximately $24 million. Derek completed an executive business education at Rice University in Alternative Investment Analysis, and Advanced Management. Derek is a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran, and has served multiple tours overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit- a Special Operations Capable global response joint task force. His military service instilled perseverance, confidence, and integrity, which he brings to EnerBlock Capital. Derek combines his extensive experience in energy, alternative investments, and entrepreneurship with a forward-thinking approach, positioning EnerBlock Capital as a leader in digital capital transformation.
Brandon Smith serves as Partner and COO at EnerBlock Capital. His extensive tenure in the Texas oil and gas sector, deeply rooted in his early experiences at Rockin’ R Drilling Inc., has been pivotal in bridging traditional energy operations with groundbreaking digital assets like Bitcoin. Brandon was immersed in the industry from a young age, learning directly from his father, Randy Smith, who was the founder and President of Rockin’ R Drilling. Under his father’s mentorship, Brandon gained invaluable insights into drilling, contributing to thousands of wells across North Texas and cultivating a deep understanding of the sector’s dynamics.Brandon’s academic journey is marked by his achievement of dual B.S. degrees in Agricultural Education and Animal Science from Angelo State University and Texas A&M University in 2004. His education, emphasizing range and wildlife management, aligns with his lifelong passions for hunting and fishing, integrating personal interests with professional expertise.The transformative moment in Brandon’s career occurred in 2020, sparked by an article on Bitcoin’s application in powering mining operations with natural gas. This discovery led to a pivotal dialogue with Derek Evans, steering both towards innovative ventures in digital assets. Embracing the potential of Bitcoin to reshape economic paradigms, Brandon has been a key force in EnerBlock Capital’s strategy to pioneer new industry segments, blending traditional energy markets with blockchain technology. Today, as COO, Brandon’s leadership is central to EnerBlock’s mission, embodying a blend of traditional expertise and innovative foresight. His narrative—from a young enthusiast on Texas oil fields to a strategic leader in energy and digital asset integration—reflects a journey of growth, adaptation, and visionary enterprise.
Ken Judd serves as Partner and Chief Financial Officer at EnerBlock Capital, bringing 35 years of executive leadership and financial expertise to the team. Ken’s career began in the audit group at KPMG, laying a solid foundation in financial practices that would underpin his future success in senior roles across various industries. Ken earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland and has been a certified public accountant for over three decades. His financial acumen and strategic vision have been recognized through multiple accolades, including being named Dallas CFO of the Year by DCEO Magazine in 2014 and the Dallas Business Journal in 2012. Transitioning from public accounting to the high-stakes world of corporate finance, Ken held senior executive positions at several technology firms, further enhancing his reputation as a skilled financial strategist. His tenure as CFO for IntelliCentrics was particularly notable, where he played a pivotal role in taking the company public on the Hong Kong exchange, showcasing his capability in international finance. In 2023, Ken led the $24 million equity and debt capitalization of Watchtower Firearms, a strategic initiative in firearms manufacturing helmed by a former Recon Marine and a seasoned executive from Raytheon. This venture underscored his ability to drive complex financial structuring and capital raising efforts. At EnerBlock Capital, Ken leverages his extensive corporate finance expertise along with a deep understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks, demonstrated by his previous qualifications with FINRA Series 79, Series 24, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. His strategic financial planning and executive oversight continue to propel EnerBlock towards sustainable growth and innovation in the energy sector.
Matt Lundberg serves as Partner and Chief Growth Officer at EnerBlock Capital, where he brings a dynamic blend of expertise from the healthcare industry and a keen interest in alternative assets, disruptive technologies, and venture investing. With a career spanning over two decades, Matt began his professional journey in medicine, working as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) and later as a Surgical Physician Assistant for one of the largest healthcare networks in the USA. His versatility and ambition propelled him to excel in both commercial roles and research and development at two Fortune 500 companies. About eight years ago, Matt delved into the oil and gas sector, a venture that led him to connect with Derek Evans. These partnerships have been fruitful, yielding more than 450,000 barrels of oil and 650,000 MCF of natural gas. Beyond oil and gas, Matt has invested in multiple ventures where his strategic insights helped identify disruptive opportunities in traditional real estate and consumer service sectors. Following numerous discussions with Derek on conventional energy industry dynamics, physics, monetary and economic philosophy, and convergent technologies, Matt recognized a monumental opportunity for technological convergence and active arbitrage. Understanding the magnitude, he felt compelled to transition from a passive investment stance to taking an active role at EnerBlock Capital as Chief Growth Officer. At EnerBlock, Matt focuses on expanding the program by identifying new acquisition targets and exploring opportunities in renewable energy sources and energy capture from waste heat. His strategic vision and innovative approach are crucial in positioning EnerBlock Capital at the forefront of digital capital transformation and sustainable energy sectors. Matt is happily married and the proud father of two children, a 15-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter, both of whom are navigating their teenage years. As a family, they share a passion for skiing, climbing, traveling, and enjoying good food. These shared activities strengthen their bond and fuel Matt’s energy to innovate and lead in his professional sphere.
Dwaine G. Abraham serves as Partner and Chief Geologist at EnerBlock Capital, distinguished by over forty years of expertise in the oil and gas industry. He embarked on his geology career after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Northeastern Illinois State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Geology from Northern Illinois University. Dwaine’s professional journey began in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served as a Second Class Petty Officer, honing his navigational skills which later proved invaluable in geological exploration. Transitioning to the oil and gas sector, he joined Texaco USA in New Orleans, where he developed innovative completion fluid technologies that significantly enhanced well productivity by minimizing formation damage. His most significant professional achievements came during his tenure at Mitchell Energy and Development. There, Dwaine was instrumental in the development and exploration of the Barnett Shale, pioneering geological mapping techniques that transformed it into the preeminent shale play of the 2000s. His strategic foresight and technical acumen contributed directly to Mitchell Energy’s successful strategies, which culminated in a multi-billion-dollar acquisition by Devon Energy. Now at EnerBlock Capital, Dwaine leverages his vast geological knowledge and innovative methodologies to guide the company’s acquisition and development strategies. His deep-rooted experience and pioneering spirit continue to drive EnerBlock’s success in navigating the complex landscapes of the energy sector.
Allen Hadaway grew up in the oil and gas business. His father, William Hadaway, was an independent geologist for most of his career, and Allen spent many summers and weekends with his father on drilling rigs. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Petroleum Engineering in 1982, and he roustabouted, roughnecked and drilled while putting himself through college, which included working offshore gulf coast as a derrick man on semi-rig. Upon graduation, he was hired on to Mesa Petroleum in Amarillo, TX for 3 years as a drilling and completion engineer in the mid-con. After leaving Mesa, he worked for C.W. Kelley Jr., Inc. for 5 years as a drilling and completion engineer again in the mid-con. In 1990, Allen established Hadaway Engineering, Inc. and in 2011, he formed the Hadaway Consulting and Engineering, LLC partnership where he served as a managing member until March 2019. During his long career, Allen has drilled thousands of horizontal wells throughout the mid-continent area in formations to include the Cleveland, Granite Wash, Tonkawa, Dolomite, Cottage Grove, Atoka, Morrow, Barnett Shale, Marmaton, Kansas City, Hepler, San Andres, and many others. He has vast experience in completions of cased hole and open hole packer systems, and he has worked on wells with SITP of 12,500 psig and 22,000′ in depth. Allen has extensive experience in drilling, completion, and production of vertical and horizontal wells in the mid-continent area and is currently a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.
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