The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has named John Stafford as the new operating director of energy for the Southern Ute Growth Fund.
Stafford will supervise ventures related to energy resource exploration and development; gas gathering; processing; petroleum refining and transportation; and alternative energy. He will work directly with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Red Willow Production Company, Aka Energy Group, Red Cedar Gathering Group and their affiliates.
While serving in this capacity, Stafford is responsible for identifying and evaluating opportunities for new investments and divestitures subject to approval from the Growth Fund Management Committee and the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council.
Prior to joining the Southern Ute Growth Fund, Stafford was president of Laris Oil & Gas, LLC, a private oil and gas exploration company which he founded in 2002. He was also the vice president and general counsel for Patina Oil & Gas Corporation, a publicly traded company on the NYSE that was subsequently acquired by Noble Energy for $4.9 billion.
Stafford is a graduate of Syracuse University (BS in Geology), Texas A&M University (MS in Geological Oceanography) and University of Denver (JD). He is a professional geologist in Wyoming and is licensed to practice law in both Colorado and Wyoming.
For more information, call Chairman Christine Sage at (970) 563-0100.
