The United Production Partners (UPP) leadership team is comprised of operational, financial and technical experts from the top North American oil & gas operator, EnerVest Operating, L.L.C.

Leadership Team

Jud Walker is Chief Executive Officer of United Production Partners (“UPP”) and its subsidiaries. In addition to his role at UPP, Jud is President & Chief Executive Officer of EnerVest, Ltd. Prior to these roles, he was President and CEO of EnerVest Operating, L.L.C (“EVOC”). He also served as EVOC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, leader of the company’s Permian Basin asset team and was head of New Ventures. Before joining EnerVest in 2009, Jud was the lead geoscientist at Chesapeake. He is a founding member of the Next Generation Giving Circle, associated with the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Jud holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology, cum laude, from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in Geological Sciences, summa cum laude, from The University of Texas at Austin.

Alex Zazzi is President of United Production Partners (“UPP”) and its subsidiaries. In addition, he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EnerVest Operating, L.L.C. (“EVOC”). Proceeding his role as CEO, he was the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Alex joined EVOC in 2006 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility in operations, including managing the company’s North Texas and Mid-Continent assets, drilling, completions, production, and reservoir engineering. He began his career with Schlumberger, specializing in offshore completions. Originally from Canada, Alex attended the University of Montana and earned a Petroleum Engineering degree from Montana Tech in 2003.

 

Travis W. Hancock is Chief Financial Officer of United Production Partners (“UPP”) and its subsidiaries. In addition to his role at UPP, he is Chief Financial Officer of EnerVest, Ltd. where he leads all financial, accounting, capital formation, and tax activities. Since joining EnerVest in 2013, Mr. Hancock has been in increasing levels of responsibility, including managing the restructuring of several legacy EnerVest funds, during the 2015-2017 global downturn in the oil and gas sector, with a key focus on incremental recovery for limited partners.  Mr. Hancock, along with John Walker, led the firm’s largest monetization in its history in a sale to TPG’s Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) in 2018, which now trades on the NYSE as Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (MGY).  Mr. Hancock’s other responsibilities have included special projects and new opportunities. Prior to joining EnerVest, he was a member of the investment team at Wells Fargo Energy Capital, Inc. where he helped originate and manage mezzanine debt and private equity investments in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Mr. Hancock also has spent time in national politics.

Mr. Hancock received a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude. Mr. Hancock is a member of the Houston Producers’ Forum and the Independent Petroleum Association of America, where serves on the Supply & Demand Committee. Mr. Hancock and his wife, Dr. Anna Lehmann, live in Houston and have two sons.

Jim McKinney is Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of United Production Partners (“UPP”) and its subsidiaries. He also is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of EnerVest Operating, L.L.C. (“EVOC”). Jim has served in many roles at EVOC since joining the company in 2010 including Senior Vice President & General Manager of EVOC’s Appalachia South Asset Team, Vice President, and General Manager of EVOC’s East Appalachia Asset Team, and Vice President of EVOC Shared Services. Prior to joining EnerVest, Jim worked as Vice President and Regional Manager for Penn Virginia Corporation and in many roles for Royal Dutch Shell.

Jim currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Oil & Gas Association as well as the Board of Directors of TruPoint Bank. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the West Virginia University Energy Land Management program and is on the Steering Committee for The Environmental Partnership. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration from Houston Baptist University.