Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Pommer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am from Boulder, Colorado, and was raised by a family of scientists.
We spent a lot of time outdoors and I developed a love of nature at a young age. When it came time for college, I attended The University of Colorado at Boulder and chose pre-med and geology to study, ultimately landing on geology as a career. I went to graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin and got a master’s in geology, after which I went to work in Houston at a major oil and gas company, called Anadarko, on their US Onshore Team.
Through time, I began to realize that I am not really very good at “coloring in the lines” and that I decided I should go to work at a smaller company, still in the same career path. I left Anadarko to go work for a couple of Private Equity backed portfolio companies, exploring oil and gas in new places. Eventually, I had the opportunity to go raise money for some of my own ideas and was successful in raising $75 million from a Private Equity sponsor in Houston.
I started my oil and gas exploration company in 2018, at the age of 32, in a male-dominated industry, as a geologist. Needless to say, those few years were a wild ride. But as always, oil and gas is a rollercoaster, and when there are ups, there are sure to be downs. Our plans for exploration and delineation were dashed when Biden was elected and restricted permitting on federal lands.
At this time, I was also being recruited by the management at EnergyFunders, where I am now the CEO. The opportunity was too good to pass up. I love living the chaotic start-up life, raising capital, and doing what I really love, exploring for oil and gas and making investors returns while disrupting a dinosaur of an industry was compelling.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Ha! No, it has not been a smooth road. Needless to say, I have learned an immense amount and I believe that “smooth” is in the eyes of the beholder.
In the process, I have become so much more resilient and self-reliant and I know that no matter what happens, everything will be ok.
I think that is why I am even able to be the CEO of EnergyFunders, the knowledge that I have surrounded myself with people who work hard, are smarter than myself andare loyal to meme. That helps me knowthat I can stand on my own two feet no matter what, and that the world keeps on moving even when it is constantly changing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about EnergyFunders?
EnergyFunders is the first-of-its-kind fintech platform specializing in democratizing investing in the previously inaccessible asset class of oil and gas.
We allow accredited individuals to invest directly into an LLC that purchases working interests in oil and gas wells. Our experienced in-house staff of geologists and engineers vets all of our investments prior to the final investment decision. What makes us special is our people. I am a geologist by background and have been evaluating oil and gas properties for my entire career and have hired experienced oil and gas veterans, down to our customer support team.
We have, so far, been drilling some really great wells and I am proud of the team for creating a platform to help our investors achieve above-market returns, which is especially important during a time of high inflation.
Contact Info:
- Website: energyfunders.com
