Eight School of Energy Resources Students Represent UW at 2025 NAPE Summit

Eight University of Wyoming students in the School of Energy Resources (SER) academic program attended the 2025 North American Petroleum Expo (NAPE) Annual Summit Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 5-7, in Houston, Texas.

Gwen Andela, of Gillette; Connor Fleming, of Huntersville, N.C.; Ryan Fogg, of Carpenter; Kendall Klos, of Johnsburg, Ill.; David Meraz-Ordonez, Addison Potts and Lars Quinlivan, all from Cheyenne; and Rachel Reese, of Johnstown, Colo., were in attendance to represent UW.

All eight of the students are pursuing the professional land management (PLM) concentration in SER’s Energy Resource Management and Development Bachelor of Science program.

Founded in 1993 by the American Association of Professional Landmen, NAPE is an organization to benefit the energy industry at large through programs such as education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, technical publications, public lands access efforts and scholarships. The summit serves as the flagship event bringing together professionals from across the country.

“This being my second time attending, the experience was not as overwhelming, which allowed me to feel confident and comfortable in my conversations with industry professionals,” Klos says. “Relationship building is crucial in this industry and sets the foundation for job and internship opportunities in the future. We went into the event with the mindset that it was more important to meet people, and I think we came away with some great connections.”

In addition to the immense expo and unmatched networking opportunities, the NAPE summit hosts a variety of educational events throughout the week. The Governor’s Forum featured Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon in a conversation with Continental Resources founder and Chairman Harold Hamm, discussing energy policy, the future of energy demand and strategies to meet those needs.

Following their discussion, SER’s students participated in a meet-and-greet with Gordon.

“UW SER was well-represented at NAPE again this year,” Gordon says. “I enjoyed the time to visit with the students about their career objectives and networking opportunities. As discussed during the forum, the new pro-energy cabinet bodes well for Wyoming’s energy sector -- which translates into significant career opportunities for UW SER Cowboys and Cowgirls.”

Known for supporting an “all of the above” energy strategy in Wyoming, Gordon has championed many of the programs the students have learned about in the energy and resource management development degree program, and how the land profession will be essential in both legacy and emerging energy industries well into the future.

“We are so fortunate in our state to have a governor who is so accessible and excited to meet with students,” Klos says. “It really added tremendous value to the event to listen to two powerhouse voices in the energy space and then have the opportunity to ask questions of the governor following the event and also share our perspectives with him.”

The student group was accompanied by Ashli Tomisich, SER’s director of student success and experiential learning; SER Senior Director of Research Scott Quillinan; and Tara Righetti, Occidental Chair of Energy and Environmental Policies and SER Professor of Law.

“The opportunity to attend the NAPE Expo is always a highly anticipated event among our PLM students,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “Our team has really worked to grow our presence and positive reputation at the summit and exhibition, and the students always come away with encouraging experiences and optimism about the robust land profession.”