Whitley Penn Energy Team Spotlight
Our Energy team understands the audit, tax, consulting, and litigation aspects of the industry and has decades-long relationships with energy clients serving as their business advisors. Read about our firm’s Energy industry leaders below as they share their stories, achievements, and the invaluable contributions they have made to our organization:
Firm-Wide Leaders
Justin Roberts
Audit Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What is your role at Whitley Penn, and what are your primary responsibilities?
As the leader of our Audit Energy Practice, my main focus is on taking care of our clients and our team. I ensure that our clients receive the utmost attention, and all their questions are answered promptly. I enjoy meeting with clients regularly and talking about their business, what they are seeing in the market and what they believe the future looks like for themselves and the energy industry. As an auditor, I tend to work in the past but I am passionate about shaping the future and helping clients prepare for it. Additionally, I provide support and mentorship to our team members, helping them grow both professionally and personally. I am at the stage in my career where I am witnessing the individuals that I personally recruited, rise into leadership positions within our firm. This is one the most fulfilling parts of my role as my goal is to develop the next generation of leaders that will eventually take over my role.
Q. What is the most memorable concert or live performance you have ever attended?
The most memorable concert I have attended, was a Devin the Dude concert a while back. As a Houston native, I had checked off most Houston rappers from my concert bucket list except for Devin. At the concert, I managed to get him to autograph my shoe, which happened to be the only item I had on me that he could sign. Following the concert, we ran into him in the parking lot, drank beer with him and just hung out. It was cool to learn that behind his undeniable talent, Devin is a genuinely down-to-earth person. Fast forward to my 40th birthday this year, my wife surprised me with a special Cameo message from him!
Justin Roberts
Audit Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What is your role at Whitley Penn, and what are your primary responsibilities?
As the leader of our Audit Energy Practice, my main focus is on taking care of our clients and our team. I ensure that our clients receive the utmost attention, and all their questions are answered promptly. I enjoy meeting with clients regularly and talking about their business, what they are seeing in the market and what they believe the future looks like for themselves and the energy industry. As an auditor, I tend to work in the past but I am passionate about shaping the future and helping clients prepare for it. Additionally, I provide support and mentorship to our team members, helping them grow both professionally and personally. I am at the stage in my career where I am witnessing the individuals that I personally recruited, rise into leadership positions within our firm. This is one the most fulfilling parts of my role as my goal is to develop the next generation of leaders that will eventually take over my role.
Q. What is the most memorable concert or live performance you have ever attended?
The most memorable concert I have attended, was a Devin the Dude concert a while back. As a Houston native, I had checked off most Houston rappers from my concert bucket list except for Devin. At the concert, I managed to get him to autograph my shoe, which happened to be the only item I had on me that he could sign. Following the concert, we ran into him in the parking lot, drank beer with him and just hung out. It was cool to learn that behind his undeniable talent, Devin is a genuinely down-to-earth person. Fast forward to my 40thbirthday this year, my wife surprised me with a special Cameo message from him!
Tommy Byrd
Tax Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in your field?
When entering an accounting firm, we encourage all interns and new hires to make an effort to meet everyone they can. This includes not only their team members but also individuals from other departments and offices. Take every opportunity provided by the firm to expand your network and meet as many people as possible. This advice applies not only to Whitley Penn but in any professional setting.
When you’re at the beginning of your career, it’s amazing because it’s the only job you have where nobody expects you to know everything. So, appreciate and take advantage of the fact that you’re not expected to be an expert, and volunteer for every opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s a new project, a new client, or an unfamiliar industry, dive into each experience eagerly. By exposing yourself to a wide range of clients and industries, you’ll gain valuable insights into what you truly enjoy, what you’re good at, and who you get along with. This will ultimately help you discover your passions and career path.
The key to success in your career is having a positive attitude. It’s about putting yourself out there and being open to learning, knowing that you may not have all the answers but you’re willing to work hard and put in the effort. Looking back on the start of my own career, I believe that the first year is all about having a good attitude, working hard, and putting yourself out there. Do what you say you’re going to do and avoid talking about people behind their back.
Q. If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
I have been thinking about my answer to this question a lot and I think I have a very cliché answer… flying. Because what other superpower would you have for a day, read people’s thoughts? I think my superpower would be flying because if it’s only for one day I’m just going to assume that I can fly as fast as I want. I would fly to all of the cool places that I want to see in real life but don’t want to spend two days of travel time getting to, such as the Colosseum and the Great Wall of China. If we’re talking about a superpower that I would have for the rest of my life, maybe flying wouldn’t be my first choice… maybe it’s teleportation… No, wait, I’ve got it – the ability to function without sleep. If I didn’t need to sleep, that would be my ultimate superpower.
Tommy Byrd
Tax Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in your field?
When entering an accounting firm, we encourage all interns and new hires to make an effort to meet everyone they can. This includes not only their team members but also individuals from other departments and offices. Take every opportunity provided by the firm to expand your network and meet as many people as possible. This advice applies not only to Whitley Penn but in any professional setting.
When you’re at the beginning of your career, it’s amazing because it’s the only job you have where nobody expects you to know everything. So, appreciate and take advantage of the fact that you’re not expected to be an expert, and volunteer for every opportunity that comes your way. Whether it’s a new project, a new client, or an unfamiliar industry, dive into each experience eagerly. By exposing yourself to a wide range of clients and industries, you’ll gain valuable insights into what you truly enjoy, what you’re good at, and who you get along with. This will ultimately help you discover your passions and career path.
The key to success in your career is having a positive attitude. It’s about putting yourself out there and being open to learning, knowing that you may not have all the answers but you’re willing to work hard and put in the effort. Looking back on the start of my own career, I believe that the first year is all about having a good attitude, working hard, and putting yourself out there. Do what you say you’re going to do and avoid talking about people behind their back.
Q. If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
I have been thinking about my answer to this question a lot and I think I have a very cliché answer… flying. Because what other superpower would you have for a day, read people’s thoughts? I think my superpower would be flying because if it’s only for one day I’m just going to assume that I can fly as fast as I want. I would fly to all of the cool places that I want to see in real life but don’t want to spend two days of travel time getting to, such as the Colosseum and the Great Wall of China. If we’re talking about a superpower that I would have for the rest of my life, maybe flying wouldn’t be my first choice… maybe it’s teleportation… No, wait, I’ve got it – the ability to function without sleep. If I didn’t need to sleep, that would be my ultimate superpower.
Amy Mann
Consulting Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What is your biggest accomplishment in your role and what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the development of the energy team here at Whitley Penn. When I started nearly five years ago, we had 14 people total in the CAAS energy group and now we have more than 50. We have experienced a crazy amount of growth! The quality of our team members has improved over the years and their professional growth has skyrocketed. Being able to see the development of our people is what I really enjoy most in my role.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to Europe, and specifically, the Swiss Alps. I want to go on a European ski vacation so I can ski, drink hot chocolate on the top of the mountain and eat some Swiss Chocolate!
Amy Mann
Consulting Energy Leader & Partner
Q. What is your biggest accomplishment in your role and what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the development of the energy team here at Whitley Penn. When I started nearly five years ago, we had 14 people total in the CAAS energy group and now we have more than 50. We have experienced a crazy amount of growth! The quality of our team members has improved over the years and their professional growth has skyrocketed. Being able to see the development of our people is what I really enjoy most in my role.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to Europe, and specifically, the Swiss Alps. I want to go on a European ski vacation so I can ski, drink hot chocolate on the top of the mountain and eat some Swiss Chocolate!
Oil & Gas
Jeff Howard
Energy Partner
Q. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in your field?
To keep myself well-informed about the latest trends in the industry, I make it a point to subscribe to email newsletters specifically tailored to the oil and gas sector. The Alliance of Energy Producers, in particular, offers a fantastic free daily email newsletter that compiles insightful articles about the industry. Additionally, I actively follow Energy Finance groups on various social media platforms and make it a priority to attend oil and gas events and conferences annually. By doing so, I ensure that I am always up to date with the latest developments in the industry to provide the best service possible to our clients.
Q. What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
One of my favorite hobbies outside of work is playing golf. With a background as a former college All-American and professional golfer, I still love to challenge myself by competing in state-wide amateur events a few times a year. I am also an avid sports fan! I follow the World Series Champions Texas Rangers, the Dallas Stars, and though not based in Texas, I cheer on the New Orleans Saints.
Jeff Howard
Energy Partner
Q. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in your field?
To keep myself well-informed about the latest trends in the industry, I make it a point to subscribe to email newsletters specifically tailored to the oil and gas sector. The Alliance of Energy Producers, in particular, offers a fantastic free daily email newsletter that compiles insightful articles about the industry. Additionally, I actively follow Energy Finance groups on various social media platforms and make it a priority to attend oil and gas events and conferences annually. By doing so, I ensure that I am always up to date with the latest developments in the industry to provide the best service possible to our clients.
Q. What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
One of my favorite hobbies outside of work is playing golf. With a background as a former college All-American and professional golfer, I still love to challenge myself by competing in state-wide amateur events a few times a year. I am also an avid sports fan! I follow the World Series Champions Texas Rangers, the Dallas Stars, and though not based in Texas, I cheer on the New Orleans Saints.
Mineral & Asset Management
Buffie Campbell
Senior Manager
Q. How do you approach problem-solving and overcoming challenges in your role?
Directly and usually with a team approach. I’m not afraid to say, “I don’t know” and jump into research. We live in a world that is constantly changing and technology provides automation that used to take days to complete. Information is coming at us at lightening speeds but having a team that isn’t afraid to voice their opinions and can work together to create solutions is invaluable. I have a lot of experience in the oil and gas industry, but I don’t pretend that my way is the only way of doing business. One of my biggest hurdles in life was letting go of control so that I could listen to a younger generation (yes, I said that and yes, it hurt a bit) who have more experience with differing technologies and creative approaches that propel efficiency.
Q. If you could have dinner with any celebrity, who would it be and why?
Lauren Bacall. Not only did she marry my favorite actor of all-time, Humphrey Bogart (Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Sabrina– love him!), but she was a confident, independent, strong female. She wasn’t the actress playing the damsel in distress, she was the one taking care of business – in heels and with an amazing updo. Her characters were fearless and flirty and strong-willed. One of my favorite Bacall movies was How to Marry a Millionaire which she starred in with none other than Marilyn Monroe, great movie! If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend, it’s funny, smart and silly all at the same time. In real life, she was eclectic and not afraid to be herself, she was a member of the legendary “rat pack.” Her acting career spanned the 1940’s black and white pictures to voice roles in the Family Guy and Scooby Doo. She quite literally entertained my grandparents and my children with her acting. How cool is that?
Buffie Campbell
Senior Manager
Q. How do you approach problem-solving and overcoming challenges in your role?
Directly and usually with a team approach. I’m not afraid to say, “I don’t know” and jump into research. We live in a world that is constantly changing and technology provides automation that used to take days to complete. Information is coming at us at lightening speeds but having a team that isn’t afraid to voice their opinions and can work together to create solutions is invaluable. I have a lot of experience in the oil and gas industry, but I don’t pretend that my way is the only way of doing business. One of my biggest hurdles in life was letting go of control so that I could listen to a younger generation (yes, I said that and yes, it hurt a bit) who have more experience with differing technologies and creative approaches that propel efficiency.
Q. If you could have dinner with any celebrity, who would it be and why?
Lauren Bacall. Not only did she marry my favorite actor of all-time, Humphrey Bogart (Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Sabrina– love him!), but she was a confident, independent, strong female. She wasn’t the actress playing the damsel in distress, she was the one taking care of business – in heels and with an amazing updo. Her characters were fearless and flirty and strong-willed. One of my favorite Bacall movies was How to Marry a Millionaire which she starred in with none other than Marilyn Monroe, great movie! If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend, it’s funny, smart and silly all at the same time. In real life, she was eclectic and not afraid to be herself, she was a member of the legendary “rat pack.” Her acting career spanned the 1940’s black and white pictures to voice roles in the Family Guy and Scooby Doo. She quite literally entertained my grandparents and my children with her acting. How cool is that?
Jason Fitzgerald
Manager
Q. How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what goals do you have for your professional growth?
My goal is to expand the mineral management practice and establish a stronger presence in major Texas markets for Whitley Penn. I would love to oversee the growth of service lines and new divisions, with a focus on key areas like the Permian, Haynesville, and Eagleford. In five years, my goal is to have client-focused leaders who are recognized as thought leaders in the local oil and gas, and mineral management industry. With a relational business, like Mineral & Asset Management, it’s crucial to maintain a strong local and industry presence through site visits and boots on the ground.
Our goal as mineral mangers is to be the best steward of the assets while also maximizing value, so to do that effectively you have to be constantly evolving with the oil and gas industry and stay “in the know”. By staying up to date, this allows me to explore different revenue streams to keep up with the latest technology, whether it be in energy transition, software, drilling techniques, or even a new productive formation coming online.
Another goal of mine is to learn how to code! Coming from a software company at my previous job, I was able to pick up on a lot of the lingo, but my knowledge is still limited. With the way our future is looking coding will be a very valuable skill to have and will be utilized daily. You basically are learning an entire new language, so it is going to take a lot of time and practice!
Q. What is one skill or talent you would love to learn and why?
I really have two things on my radar that I am currently trying to get better at: Tennis and Poker. Tennis because I like to find new ways to get exercise and I am extremely competitive, so it fits that mold perfectly. I am still very far away from being any good at tennis, but I enjoy the process of becoming better, as it is very rewarding! Poker because it has many principals that can apply to your life and business such as risk, value, and different personalities. Poker is also very competitive, so it is just one more way for me to compete.
Jason Fitzgerald
Manager
Q. How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what goals do you have for your professional growth?
My goal is to expand the mineral management practice and establish a stronger presence in major Texas markets for Whitley Penn. I would love to oversee the growth of service lines and new divisions, with a focus on key areas like the Permian, Haynesville, and Eagleford. In five years, my goal is to have client-focused leaders who are recognized as thought leaders in the local oil and gas, and mineral management industry. With a relational business, like Mineral & Asset Management, it’s crucial to maintain a strong local and industry presence through site visits and boots on the ground.
Our goal as mineral mangers is to be the best steward of the assets while also maximizing value, so to do that effectively you have to be constantly evolving with the oil and gas industry and stay “in the know”. By staying up to date, this allows me to explore different revenue streams to keep up with the latest technology, whether it be in energy transition, software, drilling techniques, or even a new productive formation coming online.
Another goal of mine is to learn how to code! Coming from a software company at my previous job, I was able to pick up on a lot of the lingo, but my knowledge is still limited. With the way our future is looking coding will be a very valuable skill to have and will be utilized daily. You basically are learning an entire new language, so it is going to take a lot of time and practice!
Q. What is one skill or talent you would love to learn and why?
I really have two things on my radar that I am currently trying to get better at: Tennis and Poker. Tennis because I like to find new ways to get exercise and I am extremely competitive, so it fits that mold perfectly. I am still very far away from being any good at tennis, but I enjoy the process of becoming better, as it is very rewarding! Poker because it has many principals that can apply to your life and business such as risk, value, and different personalities. Poker is also very competitive, so it is just one more way for me to compete.
Land Administration
Coby Nathanson
Senior Manager
Q. What motivates and inspires you in your work?
I really enjoy the opportunities to creatively and collaboratively problem solve. In my experience in the industry, it can feel a little contentious between land administration and accounting. If you know that old Spiderman meme where they are all standing in a circle pointing at each other, that’s what it feels like. I am truly passionate about exploring and understanding the goals of the land and division order teams, as it allows me to effectively collaborate with accounting in order to achieve the desired outcomes. Lately, my team and I have been engaged in countless discussions on how to bring value and provide exceptional service to our clients. This is crucial because I believe we should be more than just processors. Anyone can handle basic data entry and processing tasks, but what truly sets us apart is our ability to approach these tasks with a creative mindset.
We don’t just input data, we take the time to analyze it and think outside the box. We pride ourselves on being able to say, “Hey, I know you asked for this, but after just 10 minutes of looking at it, I have a better approach.” We believe in open and collaborative communication, so let’s discuss this alternative approach together and explore why it might work out even better. When I achieve success with a client, it’s not only reassuring but also validating. It confirms that I am on the right track and doing what is best for both my clients and my colleagues. Instead of taking the easy way out, I choose to embrace challenges and use them as opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset allows me to apply my experiences to different situations in the future, ensuring continued success and progress.
Q. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is very niche, and I have had it one time, but I firmly believe that red velvet cake is the end all be all cake. I know some people think it’s just chocolate cake dyed red but one Mother’s Day weekend I went to Onion Creek in The Heights for brunch and I had red velvet waffles with powdered sugar and fried chicken, and it was so good!
Coby Nathanson
Senior Manager
Q. What motivates and inspires you in your work?
I really enjoy the opportunities to creatively and collaboratively problem solve. In my experience in the industry, it can feel a little contentious between land administration and accounting. If you know that old Spiderman meme where they are all standing in a circle pointing at each other, that’s what it feels like. I am truly passionate about exploring and understanding the goals of the land and division order teams, as it allows me to effectively collaborate with accounting in order to achieve the desired outcomes. Lately, my team and I have been engaged in countless discussions on how to bring value and provide exceptional service to our clients. This is crucial because I believe we should be more than just processors. Anyone can handle basic data entry and processing tasks, but what truly sets us apart is our ability to approach these tasks with a creative mindset.
We don’t just input data, we take the time to analyze it and think outside the box. We pride ourselves on being able to say, “Hey, I know you asked for this, but after just 10 minutes of looking at it, I have a better approach.” We believe in open and collaborative communication, so let’s discuss this alternative approach together and explore why it might work out even better. When I achieve success with a client, it’s not only reassuring but also validating. It confirms that I am on the right track and doing what is best for both my clients and my colleagues. Instead of taking the easy way out, I choose to embrace challenges and use them as opportunities for growth and learning. This mindset allows me to apply my experiences to different situations in the future, ensuring continued success and progress.
Q. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is very niche, and I have had it one time, but I firmly believe that red velvet cake is the end all be all cake. I know some people think it’s just chocolate cake dyed red but one Mother’s Day weekend I went to Onion Creek in The Heights for brunch and I had red velvet waffles with powdered sugar and fried chicken, and it was so good!
Data Products & Strategy
Jake Baine
Senior Manager
Q. Can you provide us with some insight into your specific service offerings in the Energy Industry?
Data Products & Strategy is similar to how crude oil is a base product for many companies and can be used to manufacture other products such as gasoline for cars and consumer products. We see data products as a way to enable businesses to manufacture new insights, new products, and new opportunities. We seek to simplify reporting and analytics for businesses. This will allow for businesses to begin to treat data as an asset and through a product methodology we can measure value and ROI for the decisions derived from their data products.
Q. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
One of my most thrilling adventures was swimming two miles to an unsupervised cliff in Cabo San Lucas. Once I made it to the cliff, I climbed to the top and jumped into the ocean below. This experience pushed my boundaries and taught me that embracing adventure and taking risks leads to extraordinary experiences and personal growth.
Jake Baine
Senior Manager
Q. Can you provide us with some insight into your specific service offerings in the Energy Industry?
Data Products & Strategy is similar to how crude oil is a base product for many companies and can be used to manufacture other products such as gasoline for cars and consumer products. We see data products as a way to enable businesses to manufacture new insights, new products, and new opportunities. We seek to simplify reporting and analytics for businesses. This will allow for businesses to begin to treat data as an asset and through a product methodology we can measure value and ROI for the decisions derived from their data products.
Q. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
One of my most thrilling adventures was swimming two miles to an unsupervised cliff in Cabo San Lucas. Once I made it to the cliff, I climbed to the top and jumped into the ocean below. This experience pushed my boundaries and taught me that embracing adventure and taking risks leads to extraordinary experiences and personal growth.
