Who is Mike Cantrell?
Author | Speaker | Oil and Energy Consultant | Owner of Pivotal Strategic Solutions
Michael (Mike) Cantrell was born and raised in Oklahoma, where his family has strong ties to the oilfield. Cantrell’s grandfather was a driller in the 1920’s, eventually starting his own business in the 1950’s, which Cantrell’s father joined a few years later. In 1968, his father shifted into the production side of the business, where Cantrell gained hands-on experience in the field, accompanying his father in business from an early age.
Cantrell attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While Cantrell was, and still is, keenly interested in psychology, he wanted a career in which he could work for himself and decided to continue on the family legacy in the petroleum industry.
About three years into a successful 45 year career in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Cantrell begin to see the direct relationship between Government and Regulatory policy and his bottom line. That realization grew into a duel career in Government, Regulatory and Public affairs, interfacing with the media and the public in the process.
He considers building collaborations and coalitions to produce results and sometimes effect change his greatest skill set.
Even though he has no shortage to choose from, Cantrell easily considers his greatest accomplishments to be raising two motivated children – both successful in their chosen fields – who he claims are even smarter than their dad. In fact, both his children have taken a page from their father’s book in some way – his daughter is a political and public affairs consultant and his son a fourth generation oilman.
In his free time, you will most likely find Cantrell on his Harley Davidson, whether he’s traveling to the corners of the United States or just taking a quick ride.
Mike Cantrell
Early Career
In 1975, Cantrell started Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation, an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas exploration and production company specializing in enhancing production in more mature formations, serving as President until 2000. That year, Cantrell sold Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation and a few months later, founded Cantrell Investments LLC, an oil and gas investment company, with assets primarily in Oklahoma., Texas and Kansas. Around that time, Cantrell decided to leave his longtime home in Oklahoma and relocated to Plano, Texas, just outside Dallas. A few short years later, in 2006, he moved back to Oklahoma.
In 2009, Cantrell accepted a consulting position with Continental Resources, where he was an integral part of building the company’s Government Relations Division, eventually serving as Vice President of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs. While at Continental, Cantrell maintained his oil and gas interests and upon leaving the company in March 2013, shifted his focus back to Cantrell Investments.
Business
Present: Chairman-Postwood Energy LLC
2000 – Present-Principal-Cantrell Investments LLC- Oil and Gas Investment Company.
3/2012 – 3/2013 – VP Government and Regulatory Affairs at Continental Resources, Inc.
4/2009 – 3/2012 – Political Affairs Consultant to Continental Resources, Inc. working on Federal and State issues.
1975 – 2000 – President-Oklahoma Basic Economy Corporation, an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas exploration/production company.
1991 – 1999 – Chairman-Oil Center Operating, Inc., an Ada, Oklahoma based oil and gas production operating company.
Boards
The Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance
Citizens Bank of Ada
Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association 1980-4/2017
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence 1994-1996
Grand River Dam Authority 2004 – 2008
Leadership Oklahoma 2004 – 2006
Oklahomans for Workers Compensation Reform – Vice Chairman
Oklahomans for Lawsuit Reform – Vice Chairman
National/State/Local Activities
1984– Member, Charter Class Leadership Oklahoma
1984-1987 – Chairman, Pollution Enforcement Sub Committee of the Industry Advisory Committee of Oklahoma Corporation Commission
1989-1991 – Ada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
1988 – 1990 – Founder and President, Ada City School Foundation. Built endowment of $90,000 that today is close to one million dollars.
Industry
Present: President & Board Member – Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance
4/2014 – 2016 Chairman – National Stripper Well Association.
1986 – 2017 – Director for the Council for a Secure America – A Nonprofit educational organization which is a coalition of American Oil and Gas Producers and American Friends of Israel.
2010 – 2013 Board of Directors for the North Dakota Petroleum Council.
2009 – 2012- Co-Founder and President Domestic Energy Producers Alliance. Nationwide collaboration of oil and gas producers ,royalty owners,and trade associations working together to influence U.S. Domestic oil and gas issues.
2009 – 2011 Chairman Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association Legislative Committee.
2009 – 2017 – On the Board of Directors for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
1999 – 2002 – President, Save Domestic Oil, Inc. Nation wide coalition of Producers and Royalty Owners to enforce United States trade laws regarding oil dumping.
1990 – 2000 – Industry Advisory Board, National Association of Royalty Owners.
Industry
1995-1997 – President, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Oklahoma’s largest energy association with 1,200 members.
1995-1998 – Executive Committee, Texas Independent Petroleum Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
1990-1995 – Chairman, Environmental Committee of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association.
1992-1995 – Co-Founder/Chairman, Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. The first oil check-off program in the country. A four million-dollar per year program. Two million spent annually for environmental restoration of historic oil field damage sites. Two million spent annually for public education about Oklahoma’s oil industry.
1989-1991 – Chairman of Liaison Committee of Cooperating Oil & Gas Associations, composed of 32 State and National Oil and Gas Associations.
1987-1988 – Chairman, EPA Special Task Force of Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Played a major role in keeping oil field fluids from being classified as hazardous waste under Sub-Title C of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act.
1984-1989 – President, Wildcatter Club of Oklahoma – Tripled membership as Membership Chairman/President.
1983-1987 – Chairman, Regulatory Affairs Committee of Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association.
1982-1984 – Membership Committee Chairman, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. Brought membership from 1,100 to 1,500 (the highest number of members in the history of the association).