Ben Brooks is a native Texan who grew up on a Ranch in West, Texas.  Ben graduated from Angelo State University with a BS in Animal Science and Dual Minor in Chemistry and Biology. 

 

Ben holds Certificates in the following: Current CDL, U.S. Private Pilot License, Real Estate License, OSHA: General Industry 30 Hour, H2S, Man lift, Fork Lift, lock-out/tag out, hotwork, abrasive blasting, aerial lifts, asbestos awareness, basic first aid, behavior based safety program, benzene awareness, blood borne pathogens, CPR, defensive driving, electrical safety, emergency response procedure, fire protection and prevention, hand and power tools, hazard communications, heat stress, incident reporting and investigation, respiratory protection, rigging material handling, scaffolding, trenching, shoring, excavation, welding, cutting and hotwork.

 

Ben has an extensive background in Oil, Gas and Water Exploration & Production.  He was a VP of Business Development for Lightning Oil Field Services and a (HES) Health and Environmental Safety Specialist for Occidental Petroleum Corporation. 

 

He was responsible for the oversight and routine assessment of the fourteen elements of Process Safety Management and reviewing training records for PSM tasks to verify compliance. Review contractor qualifications and certifications for work in PSM facility and conduct Investigations and root cause analysis. Responsible for communicating and applying federal, state, local and company HES policies in addition to requirements within operations. Provide HES training and support to operations/construction field personnel. Develop and implement new and existing programs designed to promote improved HES performance, emergency response planning, audits and assessments. Record keeping, internal and external reporting, and development of written reports. Participate in HAZIDs, PHAs, and risk assessment. Mentor other HES professionals. Class D Public Waterworks Certification, FEMA Incident Commander training. Coordinate Emergency Action Drills.

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Later in life, Ben worked for Total Energy Services, Pioneer, Grenadier, and Rio Oil and Gas. He would coordinate with landowners on the projects, oversee and manage the construction of roads, drilling pads, production pads, setting cattle guards, entrances and fencing. Actively he worked with the land department and survey companies to survey and stake future well sites. 

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Ben was employed by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board as a Project Manager for the EPA 319 Clean Waters Act Salt Cedar Eradication Project. He oversaw mapping the areas to be sprayed by helicopter, plotted restricted areas of endangered species and tested for chlorides and non-point source pollution. Closely monitored safety in regard to project management and environmental protection within State and Federal Standards. Worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, TCEQ, and TPWD. Create and oversee all contracts with land owners and oil and gas companies. Assisted Texas A&M to monitor test wells. These monitoring wells helped to quantify water yield from invasive species eradication. Ben provided project updates during the legislative sessions in Austin. 

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Ben founded, Out West Energy Services and has provided support for wind turbine needs, brokered over 100,000 gallons of fuel, provided rental equipment, and subcontracted many other services to Renewable Energy Services. 

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As a Texas Licensed Real Estate Agent, Ben has assisted many clients in purchasing ranches throughout Texas. As a Land Developer, he has been involved in development projects including The Estates At Tapatio Springs, located in Boerne, Texas.  

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Ben enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing and playing golf. He is active in his Church and has started a Cooking for Christ catering campaign to feed the homeless in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.​