Western Energy Alliance to Honor Bob Clark as ‘Wildcatter of the Year’

DENVER – Western Energy Alliance will honor Robert J. Clark, chairman and chief executive officer of 3Bear Energy, LLC, with the Wildcatter of the Year award in recognition of his achievements in business and community service. As the 35th recipient of the Wildcatter award, Clark will be formally celebrated by hundreds of leaders in the oil and natural gas industry at the Wildcatter gala on Saturday, September 21st.

“Throughout his career in the midstream and upstream sectors, Bob has built a reputation of leading our industry through transformations in business and technology,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “In addition to his professional success, Bob was selected for this award by his peers because he’s an advocate for employees and the community. He takes pride in being a mentor, helping advance numerous men and women throughout their careers. Bob has a huge heart, giving generously of his time and resources to advance children’s healthcare and education. He epitomizes our industry’s philanthropy and community service.”

Clark has served as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of 3Bear Energy since founding the company six years ago. Based in Denver, 3Bear operates primarily in the Permian Basin of New Mexico and Texas. It is a full-service midstream company offering a suite of solutions for producers’ oil, natural gas and water production including gathering, processing and treating.

In 1967, Clark began his career with natural gas utility Northern Illinois Gas Co., now known as Nicor Gas Co. He transferred from Illinois to Colorado in 1980 to work with Nicor Exploration, a subsidiary investing in exploration and production (E&P) companies. In 1985, he joined Ladd Petroleum Corp., an affiliate of General Electric, and three years later went to work for Snyder Oil Corp.

Clark launched Bear Paw Energy, LLC, in 1995, his first natural gas-gathering company, which operated primarily in North Dakota. He grew it from a start-up and sold it in 2001 for $375 million to Northern Border Partners.

He then formed his next company, Bear Cub Energy LLC, a natural gas gathering, processing and treating company based in Denver, with operating facilities in Texas and natural gas liquids trading activities in North Dakota and Montana. He served as president and CEO and later sold it to Regency Energy Partners, LLC. In 2009, Clark founded his third mid-stream company, Bear Tracker Energy, LLC, which he sold for $513 million in 2013 to Summit Midstream Partners LP. He founded his fourth ursine company, 3Bear Energy, in 2013.

Equally impressive is Clark’s leadership in the community. He sits on the board of directors of Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, Tennyson Center for Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and Judi’s House. In addition, he sits on the Board of Trustees of Bradley University, and in 2011, the university opened the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center following a generous donation from Bob and his wife, Kathleen.

In 2004, Bob and Kathleen created the RJ Clark Family Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting children’s education and development, mentoring at-risk youth, and children’s health treatment and research through charitable contributions.

Clark is a current member of Western Energy Alliance’s Board of Directors and has served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. He is a past president and Board of Director of the Denver Petroleum Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Bradley University and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.

In 2014, Clark was inducted into Western Energy Alliance’s Rocky Mountain Hall of Fame.

About the Wildcatter of the Year Award

The title Wildcatter of the Year is reserved only for the most prominent leaders in the western oil and natural gas industry whose entrepreneurial and exploratory spirit have contributed significantly to America’s energy security and the betterment of society.  The term “wildcatter” originates from the 1880s when independent speculators ranged across the West in hopes of discovering new or unproven oil reserves. The Wildcatter of the Year is not only a leader in industry, but a role model in the community as well, demonstrating leadership both on and off the oil field. 
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