Rusty Smith

A native of West Texas, Rusty Smith brings a unique blend of experience in both the private and public sectors to the direction of the Consortium. Rusty comes to Texas Tech from the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance where he previously served as a project manager, focusing on recruiting new businesses and fostering innovation in the Lubbock region.

Prior to moving back to Lubbock, Rusty spent several years in Austin working in public policy in both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, primarily focusing on natural resources, agriculture, and energy. Most notably, Rusty served as the Committee Director for the Texas Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs during the 85th Texas Legislature for Chairman Charles Perry. During that time he oversaw all legislation under the jurisdiction of the committee, including issues impacting water resources across the state. After the 85th session Rusty was hired to serve as the Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs for the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, a statewide oil & gas trade association serving nearly 3,000 individual and corporate members. Rusty received a BS from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Texas Tech.

Start Time	Description
10:30 am	Private meeting, separate registration required
12:00 pm	Private meeting, separate registration required
1:00 pm	Private meeting, separate registration required
2:00 pm	In the Irving Convention Center Ballroom
5:00 pm	Private meeting, separate registration required
6:00 pm	Open to all conference registrants; drinks, snacks, entertainment; sponsored by
7:30 pm	Invitation only, sponsored by
7:30 pm

Start Time	Description
7:30 am	In exhibit hall
8:15 am	kick-off sponsored by Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
8:30 am	Ryan Hassler, Rystad Energy
9:00 am	Tracee Bentley, Permian Strategic Partnership [Chair] Ray Perryman, The Perryman Group Karr Ingham, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers Kirk Edwards P.E., Latigo Petroleum
9:45 am	Kelly Bennett, B3 Insight
10:15 am	break sponsor
10:45 am	Brian Bohm, Independent [Chair] Steven Runyan, Coterra Energy John Cave, Expand Energy Chance Freeman, Civitas Resources Tyler Mitchell, Devon Energy
11:30 am	Robert Ballantyne, RWI Enhanced Evaporation
11:35 am	Bentsen Falb, Raymond James [Chair] Nick Patterson, Aris Water Solutions Jon VandenBrand, Western Midstream Zach Neal, Pilot Water Solutions
12:15 pm	With time to visit exhibit hall; Sponsorship available
1:30 pm	Tim Carroll, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. James Brewins, Price Forbes & Partners Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection [Moderator]
1:50 pm	Michael Bodino, Texas Capital Bank
1:55 pm	Jason Schumacher, O’Melveny & Myers LLP
2:15 pm	3 rotations (15-minute each) to join tables hosted by E&P representatives for candid dialog The Facility Of The Future In Produced Water (Steven Runyan, Coterra Energy) Loving/Reeves County Mid- to Long-term Production Assurance & Water Disposal Plans (Kirby Lindsey, Oxy) Land & Water (Chance Freeman, Civitas Resources) Where Does Water Midstream Fit In E&P Portfolios (Tyler Mitchell, Devon Energy) Evaporators & Crystallizers (Paul Hart, Diversified) Beneficial Reuse Public-Facing Strategy (Stuart Mussler, Chevron) Water Reuse & Recycling (John Cave, Expand Energy) Nanotechnology for Subsurface Water Management (Steve Gornick, 9Band Operating)
3:00 pm	In exhibit hall
3:30 pm	Patrick Patton, B3 Insight [Chair] Ted Wooten, Railroad Commission of Texas Annan Pascoe, Deep Blue Water Taylor Sanchez, Diamondback Kirby Lindsey, Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation
4:10 pm	Kieron Jeffries, Concept Tanks
4:15 pm	Casey Lowary, Texas Capital Bank [Chair] Cory Hall, AQT Water Management Dan Montgomery, Bison Water Midstream Stan Berry, S&P Global Commodity Insights Benjamin Johnson, Texas Capital Securities
5:00 pm	Sponsored by
6:30 pm	Evening free for client dinners

Start Time	Description
8:00 am	In exhibit hall
9:00 am	Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
9:15 am	Doug Robison, Natura Resources Justin Sink, Natura Resources Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection [Moderator]
9:45 am	Dane Broussard, CORE Linepipe [Chair] Robert Crain, Texas Pacific Water Resources Taylor Spalla, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Chris Harich, XRI
10:30 am	break sponsor
11:00 am	Brandon Durrett, Jackson Walker LLP [Chair] Keith Gardner, KJG Strategies David Grounds, Pilot Water Solutions Nate Alleman, Ace Energy Advisors
11:40 am	Rob Rice, Gravity Michael Anderson, Layne Water Midstream Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection (Moderator)
12:00 pm	Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
12:15 pm	Exhibitor breakdown; time for pickleball tournament preparation, transportation, and lunch at courts
1:00 pm	At Chicken N Pickle with open bar and food provided; open only to conference registrants who sign up for player or spectator passes during online registration; swag and pro lesson included plus play for bragging rights. title belt and trophies sponsored by paddle and ball sponsored by towels courtesy of socks courtesy of sweat bands courtesy of
5:30 pm	Conference adjourns

Monday - May 5, 2025 | Pre-Conference

Tuesday - May 6, 2025 | Conference Day 1

Wednesday - May 7, 2025 | Conference Day 2