Our Story

TBA Energy, LLC was founded in 2004 by Rick Payne. Since its inception, TBA Energy has served as an umbrella for oil and gas consulting work, including engineering, business development, operations support, and several oil and gas transactions.

Rick Payne’s background includes decades of experience across energy operations, engineering, business development, executive leadership, and energy education. A condensed summary of his professional experience is available in the accompanying Rick Payne’s profile.

Evolution of TBA Energy

The world is facing a crossroads in energy. Communities, companies, students, and public leaders are being asked to make decisions that involve affordability, reliability, safety, emissions, infrastructure, technology, and long-term resilience.

TBA Energy is evolving to examine these issues more directly and to provide clear, apolitical data and analysis that helps students, industry professionals, and communities understand energy tradeoffs and risks. We are not advocates for any single source or use of energy. We are advocates for energy that is available, affordable, reliable, and safe.

Profile: LinkedIn

Founder

Rick Payne

Founder & Managing Partner, TBA Energy

Rick & Leslie Payne founded TBA Energy in 2004 after building a career across energy engineering, operations, business development, executive leadership, and education. His experience includes oil and gas operations, international energy leadership, renewable-energy business work, and teaching energy-related courses. That background shapes TBA Energy’s practical, technology-neutral approach to energy questions.

40+ years of energy-industry experience, including 30+ years in leadership and management roles.
Co-founder of Foundation Energy Company and former president of Foundation Renewable Energy.
Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, The University of Tulsa; M.S. Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University; MBA, Southern Methodist University.
Registered Professional Engineer in Chemical Engineering, State of Oklahoma.

Founded in 2004

TBA Energy began as an umbrella for oil and gas consulting, engineering, business development, operations support, and energy transactions.

Broad energy experience

Rick Payne brings 40+ years of energy-industry experience, including leadership across operations, startups, acquisitions, renewables, and education.

Evolving for today

TBA Energy now focuses on objective analysis, education, consulting, maps, and tools that help people understand modern energy tradeoffs.

Clean, affordable, reliable energy insight for education, strategy, and decision support.

Email: inquire@energytba.com

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