About Choice Exploration

Choice Exploration was formed in 1997 as a Texas Corporation. Currently, Choice is utilizing the latest 3-D seismic imaging technology to prospect its core area in Texas and Louisiana.

This science aids in targeting oil and gas reserves and limiting waste of time and capital expenditures as well as identifying new trends and generating potentially larger prospects.

Our capability to generate a prospect, acquire the minerals and land, engineer and operate the well and disperse revenue, maximizes our ability to produce an enhanced return on investment to our partners.

Our expansion plan is to develop domestic reserves through a mixture of acquisition and drilling in development and core areas. Our commitment is to fuel your success with knowledge and integrity.

Jon Martin, President, has over 18 years experience in oil and gas operations and exploration. Mr. Martin began his career with Burlington Resources (formerly Meridian Oil Co.) as a Drilling and Production Engineer in the Houston Region. In 1996, Mr. Martin joined Belco Oil and Gas Company as Productions/Operations Manager. In 1998, Mr. Martin was transferred and assumed the responsibilities of Area Manager for the company’s Rocky Mountain District. Following the acquisition of Belco by Westport Oil and Gas Company in 2001, Mr. Martin was appointed Area Manager over the Gulf Coast Region. Mr. Martin joined Choice Exploration in August of 2004, and has served as President since July of 2006.

Jon Griffin, VP Land and Legal, has over 22 years experience in oil and gas exploration and production as a Petroleum Landman. Mr. Griffin began his career with Exxon Company, USA, and then moved to the mineral and landowner part of the oil and gas business when he joined Weyerhaeuser Company in 1983. Since 1997, Mr. Griffin has worked for mid-size independent oil and gas companies, most recently with Westport Oil and Gas Company, L.P. Mr. Griffin has a BA degree from Texas Tech University and a JD from Saint Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Griffin has experience in nearly every state west of the Mississippi River, with a recent focus on Texas Gulf Coast and south Texas regions. Mr. Griffin joined the Company in July 2004. He is a member of AAPL, DAPL, and HAPL.

David Brooks, VP Operations, is a founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Since the Company’s inception, Mr. Brooks’ primary focus has been prospect screening, acquisitions and operations. Mr. Brooks is a native to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and attended the University of Texas at Arlington. Subsequent education includes well log interpretation and oil and gas property evaluation in 1998 through the University of Tulsa. He has been an AAPL member (#35586) since 1999 and a member of the Corpus Christi Geological Library since 2000.

David A. Gauvey, Director of Marketing, Mr. Gauvey has over 15 years in the oil and gas industry working for several independents as well as his own. Mr. Gauvey studied petroleum geology and contracts and leases from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Gauvey has been an independent Landman and has consulted on various wells throughout the state. Mr. Gauvey joined Choice in 1997 and oversees the company’s private equity marketing and has been a member of AAPL since 1996.

Ryan Davis, Director of Communications. After earning his Bachelor of Science in communications from Lamar University, Mr. Davis worked with affiliates CBS, NBC, and FOX. During his tenure as a photojournalist, he covered many world events. Mr. Davis moved back to Texas and specialized in gyro-stabilized aerial camera systems in the DFW television market. After 15 years in the broadcast media, Mr. Davis entered the oil and gas industry. He joined Choice in December 2000 and currently publishes all company communications, print media, prospect cartography, and trade show materials. Mr. Davis also works with the private equity division of the company and serves as assistant marketing director. He is a landman and member of AAPL and the Dallas Petroleum Club.

Keith Urban, Director of Business Development, Mr. Urban started his own construction business out of high school. In 1989, he was presented an opportunity to work with the San Francisco Local 16 IATSE who developed his natural leadership skills. Mr. Urban arrived at Choice Exploration originally as an investor. He relocated to Texas in 2000 and acquired interest in the company. He assists in the private equity branch of Choice Exploration and has a position on the Board, as the Director of Business Development. Mr. Urban currently is a member of AAPL.

Brad Johnson, Landman, Mr. Johnson was in automotive marketing for 10 years prior to entering the oil and gas industry and studied petroleum geology from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Johnson raised venture capital for several years prior to joining Choice Exploration in January 2001. Mr. Johnson has been an AAPL Landman since 1996 and currently works with the companies’ private equity clientele.

Duane Meaux, Area Geologist, joined Choice Exploration in June 2007 with over 28 years experience in the Onshore US oil and gas industry. Mr. Meaux began his career in 1979 with Shell Oil Company after earning a BS in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Meaux was then employed for 12 years with Columbia Gas Development Corporation. In 1996 Mr. Meaux joined Belco Oil & Gas and subsequently maintained employment with a series of consecutive acquirers – Westport Resources, Kerr-McGee, and Anadarko. Geologic areas of expertise include the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast region and the Austin Chalk trend.

Darryl Smith, Exploration Manager, has over 24 years of experience in Oil and Gas exploration, development, and production. After 2 years of experience as a geo-tech and mud-logger, Mr. Smith was employed by Phylko Energy Corp., an independent Houston E&P, as an Exploration Geologist in 1984. In that capacity, Mr. Smith explored the entire Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast region and developed a comprehensive knowledge base of the local, subsurface geology and producing trends. In 1997 while developing a 3-D seismic acquisition, Mr. Smith was employed by Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (CRZO) as a Senior Explorationist. During his tenure, his responsibilities included 3-D seismic prospect generation and interpretation. In 2007, Smith joined Choice Exploration as Exploration Manager and oversees 3-D seismic prospect generation from over 2700 square miles of data through out the company’s core area. Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Michigan State University. He is a member of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, AAPG and HGS.