Preng & Associates Assists Pacific Coast Energy with CFO Search
January 27, 2026 – Houston-based Preng & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Travis Thomas as the new president and CFO for Pacific Coast Energy Company LP. Mr. Thomas brings more than 16 years of financial leadership experience in the oil and gas industry, with a proven track record supporting both public and private energy companies across upstream and midstream operations.
Prior to joining Pacific Coast Energy, Mr. Thomas served as CFO of Ring Energy, Inc., where he led financial strategy for a company with approximately $650 million in enterprise value. During his tenure, he played a key role in executing multiple strategic acquisitions totaling more than $640 million, strengthening liquidity, optimizing capital structure, and enhancing free cash flow through disciplined capital allocation and innovative financing structures. He also led efforts to expand the company’s borrowing base, renegotiate long-term credit facilities, improve SEC reporting processes, and strengthen corporate governance and investor engagement.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Thomas held senior finance and accounting leadership roles at Paradox Resources, Yuma Energy, New Prospect Company, and Highland Oil & Gas, developing deep expertise in capital markets, SEC compliance, commodity risk management, treasury, and operational finance.
In his new role, Mr. Thomas will oversee Pacific Coast Energy’s financial strategy, capital markets activities, accounting, treasury, and investor relations functions.
Pacific Coast Energy Company is an independent energy company headquartered in Orcutt, CA. It owns assets in Santa Barbara, Kern, Monterey and Orange Counties, and the City of Los Angeles. Pacific Coast Energy Company’s California strategy is to acquire long-lived, low declining oil and gas operations with upside, creating synergies that reduce operating costs and environmental impacts.
Related: Preng & Associates Fills Senior Positions for Ring Energy
Preng & Associates, founded in 1980, is the only retainer-based, international executive search firm specializing solely in the energy industry. The firm’s experience spans the entire energy value chain – from the well head to the wall socket. Its subsector verticals have specific expertise in oil and gas (upstream, midstream, and downstream), oilfield equipment and services, power and utilities, renewables, engineering and construction, and industrials. Preng & Associates has conducted more than 4,000 engagements for over 900 companies and placed individuals for board, executive management, and professional positions in 92 countries.
Jadestone Energy Search
Last year, Preng & Associates helped to recruit Mitchell Little as the new CEO of Jadestone Energy in Singapore. Mr. Little has over 30 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, the majority of which was with Marathon Oil Company from 1987 to 2020 in various technical, supervisory and senior management positions.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
“Jadestone has a very attractive platform of operated upstream positions in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Mr. Little. “This dynamic region will be at the forefront of global energy demand growth for the foreseeable future, and I’m confident that Jadestone is well positioned to contribute meaningfully to meeting the region’s oil and gas demand growth in a safe and responsible manner.”
Jadestone Energy is an independent upstream company focused on the Asia-Pacific region. It has a balanced and increasingly diversified portfolio of production and development assets in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, all stable jurisdictions with a positive upstream investment climate.
Related: Preng & Associates Recruits CEO for Kimmeridge Texas Gas
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
