Houston, TX — January 2026 — Preng & Associates, a global executive search firm, assisted Pacific Coast Energy Company LP in the search and placement of Travis Thomas as Chief Financial Officer and President.
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. In his new role, he will oversee Pacific Coast Energy’s financial strategy, capital markets activities, accounting, treasury, and investor relations functions.
Prior to joining Pacific Coast Energy, Mr. Thomas served as Chief Financial Officer 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. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Pacific Coast Energy Company (PCEC) is an independent energy company headquartered in Orcutt, California. PCEC owns assets in Santa Barbara, Kern, Monterey and Orange Counties, and the City of Los Angeles. PCEC’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. This strategy also supports California’s transition away from fossil fuels by repurposing the existing oil and gas real estate holdings to alternative, beneficial future uses.
Preng & Associates is a global, retained executive search firm specializing in the energy sectors, including Oil & Gas, Oilfield Equipment and Services, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Engineering & Construction, and Industrials. Founded in 1980, the firm partners with boards and executive teams worldwide to recruit senior leadership across the full energy value chain.
