Partners

---

Mr. Ash has over 25 years of finance and management experience in and around the oil and gas sector. Prior to co-founding Palmetto, Mr. Ash helped form and manage numerous upstream, midstream and downstream energy companies on behalf of institutional investors such as EnCap Flatrock, EIG Global Energy Partners and Tailwater Capital. In 2011, Mr. Ash began his operating career as the CFO of BlackBrush Oil & Gas and TexStar Midstream, where he had financial responsibility for the companies' $200-$700 million annual capital programs and financings including an approximately $800 million rated term loan and revolver. 

Prior to moving to San Antonio in 2011, Mr. Ash spent 11 years as an investment and merchant banker in Houston, starting as an analyst at CIBC World Markets and advancing to a Senior Vice President and Partner.

Mr. Ash graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in finance and earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Ash is active in the San Antonio community, serving on local leadership groups or boards with various affiliations.

Mr. Koehler has 20 years of experience in leading exploration, leasing, acquisition, and development of oil and gas assets.  

Prior to Palmetto, Mr. Koehler was President and Exploration Manager for multiple family companies, managing operated working and mineral interests throughout West and South Texas. Mr. Koehler was co-founder & VP of Exploration at SandPoint Resources, a private equity backed operating company, where he led new venture evaluation and development of company assets. 

Before SandPoint, Mr. Koehler spent 7 years with BlackBrush Oil & Gas, where he served in many roles including Geologist, Exploration and Development Manager, and Asset Manager – East Texas & Louisiana. Through various roles at BlackBrush, Mr. Koehler developed and managed horizontal drilling programs in seven formations, across 450,000 acres throughout Texas and Louisiana. Mr. Koehler began his career at XTO Energy working in the Rocky Mountain Geology Division.

Mr. Koehler earned a BS in Geology from Texas Christian University.

Mr. Walshak has 20 years of experience in project execution, management, and operations. Mr. Walshak brings extensive upstream expertise spanning multiple technical disciplines, including drilling, completion, production, pipeline and facilities engineering, and resource valuation.

Prior to Palmetto, Mr. Walshak co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer for portfolio companies backed by EnCap Flatrock Midstream and Tailwater Capital. He also spent over 11 years at BlackBrush Oil & Gas, LP, where he held various engineering and leadership roles, including seven years as Production Manager and ultimately Western Division Manager, overseeing multiple asset teams across more than 220,000 gross operated acres.

Mr. Walshak earned a BS in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.