An accomplished businessman from the Cleveland Ohio area, Gary attended Kent State University and majored in business and transportation. Gary started his career in transportation in 1980 working for various large LTL transportation companies, Consolidated Freightways out of Palo Alto Ca, and Pacific Intermountain Express out of Walnut Creek Ca. Gary rose to the position of terminal manager for Pacific Intermountain Express in Chicago IL which was the largest terminal in the Pacific Intermountain Express network. Gary started up his business, a transportation brokerage company named Transamerica Transportation in 1990 and subsequently sold it to Matson Navigation a public $1.5 billion dollar company (MATX) in 2004, at the time of the sale Transamerica was doing $110 million dollars annually in revenue and was profitable with approximately $4 to $5 million dollars a year in EBITDA and had over 75 offices nationwide.
Gary stayed with Matson for 5 years until 2009 when he went to work for HCI Equity, a private equity firm based out of Washington DC. Gary was a hybrid operating partner/managing director, he did mergers and acquisitions, along with operation initiatives for one of their portfolio companies Roadrunner Transportation, which was taken public during his tenure at HCI Equity, (RRTS). HCI Equity was looking for entry into the energy sector and was going to buy a business out of Williamsport Pa, which at the time was the epicenter of the Marcellus shale fracking boom. Gary was asked to go out to PA to do due diligence on the company (Infinity Oil Field Services) and was named COO by the President of the company. Subsequently Gary merged this company with Quality Distribution, a $1 billion dollar company out of Tampa FL which was a public company at the time (QLTY), which had an energy division named QC Energy Resources, Gary was named VP of Business Development for the company where he managed 8 sales people nationwide and grew revenue for the energy division where it was annualizing $200 million dollars of annual revenue.
Quality distribution was bought out by Apax Capital Partners, a private equity firm in April of 2015 and Gary was offered a buyout, as Apax decided they were going to bring in their own management team. In June of 2015 Gary started up B-Rock Crude Partners with one of his colleagues who also took a buyout from Quality Distribution and since then they have been trading crude oil and other refined products, having leveraged all of their prior energy contacts which includes many Fortune 500 companies and also blue chip Fortune 1000 companies along with contacts from there prior general business experience. In December of 2016 Gary aligned B-Rock Crude Partners with various refiners and suppliers that transact domestically and internationally.
Denis, with over a decade of experience in crude oil trading, possesses extensive expertise and practical knowledge to promptly navigate and resolve potential complexities related to procurement, logistics, and delivery. His primary focus has been collaborating with major refiners in China and engaging in Government-to-Government sales, ensuring the timely delivery of crude cargoes out of the Middle East and Africa.
Furthermore, Denis has also amassed years of experience in trading non-ferrous metals in prominent locations like the DRC, Tanzania, and Kenya. He is well-acquainted with a variety of products including; Zinc, Lead, Cobalt, Bauxite, and Copper.
Driven by a passion for continuous innovation and expansion, B-Rock Crude Partners LLC has evolved into a multinational company with operations in the United States, Uruguay, and the UAE.
Before entering the commodities sector, Denis dedicated a decade to Web Hosting, Colocation, and Data Center operations. During this time, he successfully established several startups, which were subsequently acquired by Goldman Sachs and Deluxe Corporation through wholly owned subsidiaries.
Denis completed his studies in computer science at Stanford University, where he was also a part of a startup incubator program.
With 40 years of domestic and international experience, Mr. Sommerfeld focuses on delivering the perfect arbitrage model for our investor partners.
Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Sekurus, an asset protection, tracking and management company. Formerly, he had been SVP and CFO of Airbee Wireless, a public software company. With operations on three continents, Mr. Sommerfeld served as CEO of Hong Kong’s Dransfield Food & Beverage Holdings and was the first brewer of Chinese lager outside of China. He was a partner in The Meridian Partnership, a European private equity firm, VP-Finance & Investments of Resort Properties Group, and CFO of the Levant Group. Mr. Sommerfeld held senior positions in international investment banking with Continental Bank (acquired by Bank of America) and Citicorp Investment Bank. He pioneered the concept of hedging gold for the central bank and mining houses of South Africa. Mr. Sommerfeld has extensive experience in the metals and gold markets from mining to custodial services, finance, and trading.
Mr. Sommerfeld holds a Masters of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA (International Studies) from Virginia Tech.
Frank Luca is an experienced commodities broker/trader since 2007. Frank’s current focus is on the sales and marketing of refined fuel products and crude oil.
Frank is knowledgeable in the sale of refined fuels including; Diesel, ULSD, EN 590, Gasoline, Aviation Kerosene, Marine Fuels as well as Mazut and various grades of Crude Oil. He has established relationships with several Hedge Funds, including some of the largest in the US and Europe. Through his current partnership, he enjoys direct relationships with several large refineries.
Frank is also well-versed in banking protocols as well as logistics.
Prior to entering the Commodity Business, Frank spent several years in the Advertising and Marketing fields, where he was employed at some of the world’s largest advertising firms, including Young and Rubicam, BBDO where he held senior management positions.
Prior to this position, Frank was Chief Operating Officer for Medestea USA (formerly Santica USA), an importer of high-end Italian Cosmetics and Health & Beauty supplements. Before joining Santica USA, Frank held a senior management position at Cossette Post, New York, a division of Cossette Communications, the largest Advertising & and Marketing Communications network in Canada.
Frank has created and implemented advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications programs as well as consulted for a diverse group of blue-chip clients including; American Express, Polaroid Corporation, ADT Security Systems, Bayer, (Alka Seltzer), ITT Sheraton Hotels, The US Postal Service, The Financial Times, The Grand Hyatt Hotel New York, Parents magazine, Worth magazine, Travel & Leisure magazine, Food & Wine magazine, JP Morgan Chase, Beneficial National Bank USA, Izusu, Taj International Hotel Group, COMEX, SwissAir, Hercules, Degussa Huls, Hershey Pasta Group (San Giorgio Pasta), Dassault/Falcon Jet, The Franklin Library and PR Newswire.
He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York where he majored in Art, Advertising and Marketing Communications
OAO LUKOIL, Moscow, Russia 2001 – 2020
Russia’s largest private oil business group, with US$107 billion revenues and net income of over US$9.1 billion; first Russian company with full
listing on London Stock Exchange. Produces, refines, and sells oil and oil products. Operations in 58 regions in Russia and 30 countries overseas,
owning major stakes in 10 refineries in Russia and world-wide and more than 5,000 service stations.
Lukoil Overseas Holdings Ltd, with its 70 subsidiaries, accounts for 65 mln barrels of oil equivalent’s production per year,
having increased its proven reserves in 2008 by 70% and targeting 20% of LUKOIL’s overall production in medium-term perspective.
Advisor to President of LUKOIL Overseas Holding Ltd. for LUKOIL Overseas Offshore Projects Inc., Houston, Texas: May 2012 – present.
Member, Board of Directors, VANCO Exploration Ltd.; Advisor to the President of LUKOIL Overseas Holdings Ltd., Houston, Texas: Nov 2010 – May 2012
Vice President, Latin America, LUKOIL Overseas Holdings Ltd., Caracas, Venezuela: Sept 2006 – Nov 2010
President, Lukoil Overseas Venezuela B.V. Caracas, Venezuela: Sept 2006 – present
Vice President, Business Development, LUKOIL Overseas Holdings Ltd., Moscow, Russia: 2004 – 2006
President and Chief Executive Officer, LUKOIL Overseas Project holding Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus: 2001 – Dec 2004
President and Chief Executive Officer, LUKOIL Overseas Cyprus Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus: 2001 – Dec 2004
President and Chief Executive Officer, LUKOIL Overseas UK Ltd., London and Nicosia: 2001 – Dec 2004
Multiple senior roles, at times held concurrently, with remit to lead international expansion and performance improvement. Promoted to Moscow headquarters - the only non-Russian member of the operational management team - to revitalize and accelerate the entire international expansion program. Established, and ultimately appointed to lead, the company’s operations in Latin America.
Appointed by top LUKOIL management as a member of the Board of Directors of VANCO Exploration Ltd., member of the Executive Committee and advisor to the President of LUKOIL Overseas Holdings Ltd. In this role, acted as sole non-expatriate board member to ensure success of drilling campaign, institute financial controls, and originate business development function responsible for screening and acquisition of new assets.
With LUKOIL Overseas Offshore Projects Inc. ensured drill-ready status of near-term projects, including hydrocarbon license management with governmental officials, interface with tax authorities, and contracts and procurement assistance. Additional responsibilities included oversight of business development functions and analysis of potential assets and projects.
As Vice President, Latin America, LUKOIL Overseas Holdings, has executive responsibility for Venezuela and provides strategic monitoring and administrative supervision of operations in the Condor oilfield in Medina province, Colombia (Russia’s first commercially viable oil reserves in Latin America) – via a 70%-30% joint operation with the national Ecopetrol company. Achievements include:
As Vice President, Business Development, LUKOIL Overseas Holdings, in just 18 months, and with 90% travel schedule, entered new markets in Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East;
As President and Chief Executive Officer, LUKOIL Overseas Project holding held oversight responsibility for financial management, treasury, and legal affairs - and for multi-million-dollar equipment procurement for all subsidiaries outside Russia.
Calgary Overseas Development (J.V.) Limited (CODL), Nicosia, Cyprus 1993 – 2002
A joint-venture between Calgary Overseas Development Ltd. and LUKOIL Western Siberia, established to exploit oil
reserves in Western Siberia utilizing international management /technical expertise and access to western oilfield equipment.
President and Chief Executive Officer, 1993 – 2001
General Manager, Calgary Overseas Development Company Ltd., 1993
Joined Calgary Overseas Development Company Ltd as General Manager with remit to manage western technical integration and well rehabilitation in Western Siberia, and development and production of oilfields. Relationship led to establishment of CODL (JV).
Anchor Drilling Fluids, a division of Norsk Hydro, Stavanger, Norway 1993
America’s largest independent drilling fluids company, once owned by Norsk Hydro but acquired by private equity investors in 2007.
Mudcoindo Pratama, Indonesia, 1992
Unibar Energy Services, USA, 1991 – 1992
Technifluids, Inc., Canada, 1990 – 1991
Headhunted by Anchor Drilling Fluids as President and General Manager to manage the turnaround of above-named failing subsidiaries. Restructured and streamlined all organizations, turning losses to profits – within months. At Unibar: reduced inventories by 26%, operating costs by 42% and improved balance sheet in under 12 months by $1.2 million. At Technifluids: increased market share by 13%;
Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, TX 1980-1990
A $7.5 billion global supplier of equipment and services for the energy industry - acquired by Halliburton in 1998.
Canadian Marketing and Sales/Frontier Manager, M-I Drilling Fluids Canada, Inc., 1987 – 1990
Canadian Engineering Manager, M-I Drilling Fluids Canada, Inc., 1986-1987
Canadian Frontier District Manager, Magcobar Division., 1985-1986
Canadian Sales Manager East, Magcobar Division., 1982-1985
Marketing Manager Workover and Completion Fluids, Magcobar Division., 1980-1982
Received comprehensive training at the highly competitive Dresser School. Educated in all aspects of financial and sales/marketing management with technical training in Petroleum/Drilling engineering. Rapid promotions followed early success in sales management.
Joseph Tsai completed undergraduate work in Natural Gas & Petroleum Engineering and graduate Business Administration from BCIT. Mr. Tsai has completed a wide range of additional courses and programs ranging from Urban Land Economics from UVIC/UBC/SFU to Computer Networks from RRU. Early in Mr. Tsai’s career, he applied his knowledge to a number of challenging assignments with organizations such as Amoco Petroleum, Pacific Geoscience Centre, Canadian Tire, Woolco, Central Guaranty Trust, Metropolitan Trust, Montreal Trust, and Western Inventory and RGIS.
Over the past 18 years has focused his energies on establishing a number of successful companies. These included a software development company, a computer sales and support organization, as well a home renovation and painting company, and a property management company. His clients were significant players and noted regional and global players: SAPA, Con Agra, First Citizens Fund (BC Government), Handheld Products (now part of Honeywell), Dynamic Systems, Source Northwest, PSAC, and many others.
In addition, Mr. Tsai has spent the last three years putting together high-level strategic projects ranging from high technology, real estate, to power generation. Mr. Tsai’s specialty is sourcing unique, quality strategic investments projects for his clients.
