Eugene Shepherd Selected Texas Engineering Distinguished Graduate
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May 15, 2017
Established in 1957, the Distinguished Engineering Graduate Award is the highest honor that the Cockrell School bestows on its alumni. The five distinguished engineering graduates for 2017 are innovators, entrepreneurs and highly respected leaders in their industries and communities. UT PGE graduate Eugene “Gene” B. Shepherd, Jr., is included in this year's class of honorees.
Shepherd is a founder and the chief executive officer of ATX Energy Partners LLC. Prior to that, Shepherd was a founder and chief executive officer of Brigham Resources LLC from 2013 until its sale to Diamondback Energy Inc. in early 2017.
Shepherd earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering in 1981 and his MBA in 1986, both from The University of Texas at Austin.
Shepherd had 20 years of financial and operational experience in the energy industry before serving as chief financial officer of Brigham Exploration from 2002 until its sale to Norway-based Statoil ASA in 2011. Earlier in his career, he served as integrated energy managing director for the investment banking division of ABN AMRO Bank, where he executed merger and acquisition advisory services and capital markets transactions for energy companies. He had a similar focus in his role at Prudential Securities Incorporated, Stephens Inc. and Merrill Lynch Capital Markets. Prior to his stint in the financial services industry, he worked for more than four years as a petroleum engineer for Amoco Production Company and the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Shepherd received the 2016 Adam-Houston Energy Network M&A Dealmaker of the Year award for the sale of Brigham Resources’ southern Delaware Basin assets to Diamondback Energy. In 2017, Shepherd was awarded the Silver Beaver award by the Boy Scouts of America for distinguished service to youth.
Shepherd is active in his church and community. He is a member of the Engineering Advisory Board of the Cockrell School of Engineering and has served on various nonprofit boards, including KIPP Austin Public Schools, the Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Trinity Center.
Shepherd lives in Austin with his wife, Robin, and their three sons, Trey, Sam and Ben.
