Lindsey Wilson is the Chief Operating Officer at Phoenix Capital Group. Lindsey brings extensive practical experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams in the energy sector. She takes great pride in setting and achieving aggressive business goals while ensuring the needs of her employees are sufficiently met.
As the founding member of Phoenix Capital Group, she establishes the objectives of the business and leads all operational functions within the company.
What inspired you to choose your field?
Growing up as a Texas native, I greatly appreciate how oil and gas is one of the backbones of our state, right along with our connection to our land and neighbors. I was born in Arlington, TX, home of the Texas Rangers and my favorite Mediterranean restaurant.
I first dipped my toes into the industry in 2011 when I worked on the leasing team for a land services company. I spent the first few years knocking on homeowners’ doors and sitting at their kitchen tables discussing their oil and gas leases.
It was through these interactions that I started to grow a passion for helping educate a generation of people that are rooted in tradition and honor. So, I guess you can say that from the “first dip” into the oil and gas industry, it quickly turned into a welcomed “plunge” as I venture now with Phoenix Capital Group.
How has your leadership style changed or grown over the course of your career?
It’s important to be an advocate for growth and learning, whether that is emotionally, spiritually, or in this case – professionally.
My leadership style has evolved just like other areas in my life have, with weighted change accelerating through the transition from an employee at a company to an owner of Phoenix Capital Group. I want to motivate and inspire every employee to stay curious, push for excellence, and take pride in their work.
The executive team and I spend a significant amount of time ensuring that employees who desire to grow with us are given a path to pursue this. Like any new company, there are challenges, but each one we are presented with is well worth the reward.
How do you build relationships with your clients?
The golden rule always applies. For mineral owners and investors alike – we consider it a partnership. I am also rooted in this industry, with my family owning minerals, like most folks we communicate with at Phoenix Capital Group.
I understand that the minerals have sentimental value to some people, and that process can be very emotional. Having experienced this from a landowner’s lens allows me to understand the process outside of a company mindset.
Our goal is to provide education to our clients through understanding and trust.
How do you stay current on industry developments?
Stay plugged in. Constantly read and walk by the same advice I give our employees – stay curious.
Do you have a specific routine that helps you stay organized and achieve your goals?
You can say old habits die hard. Like most of us in this generation – we adapt to digital solutions, but I’m still a classic pen-to-paper type of gal.
There is something very therapeutic about physically crossing something off a list! Regarding achieving my goals – I plan for the future but stay in the present.
I make achievable short-term goals mixed with challenging long-term plans to encourage myself to push for the next milestone while maintaining a progressive pace.
How do you recharge your batteries after long work hours?
Being a working mother is not easy, and I don’t get a lot of downtimes. But I wouldn’t change anything about it. When I do get a moment to myself, I like to go for long runs along the beach in Laguna around the sea coves and let my mind escape against the ocean breeze – did you feel that too? Most of the time, though, coming home and being a mom recharges me.
I have the most loving 5-year-old daughter who melts my heart every day, so seeing her each evening reminds me of my “why.”
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
Oil and gas is traditionally a male-dominated field, so I would like to continue to see more females in the industry. Roughly 1% of oil and gas CEOs are women, and 17% are in a senior/executive role.
Females bring different and beneficial qualities to leadership, and I believe every company benefits from a diversified perspective.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your business?
The pandemic profoundly impacted our business primarily through a dramatic decline in oil and natural gas prices during 2019. Financial markets actually priced West Texas Intermediate
(WTI) at negative values for the first time in the industry’s history. I’m grateful for the team at Phoenix as we put our heads together to weather the storm. We were able to navigate this volatility and remain profitable without draconian cuts to our business.
In addition, the pandemic forced us to accelerate our in-house technology stack, which is critical to our success.
We were able to substantially expand our proprietary software in ways that will enable us to be more efficient with virtually all facets of our business going forward. Conflict demands growth solutions.
What does the future of your industry look like, in your opinion?
Energy markets worldwide are currently experiencing extreme volatility. A couple of things are very clear right now.
1) Oil and natural gas demand worldwide will continue to increase for at least the next ten years minimum.
2) Underinvestment in traditional and reliable energy sources such as oil and natural gas will inevitably lead to a supply-side issue that will result in substantial price increases for both oil and natural gas from the lows of 2019 and 2020.
It is our view that oil and gas are essential in the fight against worldwide poverty, and access to reliable energy sources should be expanded globally to ensure all people have access to reliable energy sources for basic needs such as heating, cooling, lighting, and transportation.