As Chairman and CEO, Martin Thalken brings more than three decades of experience in multiple leadership positions. Before founding Protégé I in 2004, Protégé II in 2008, and Protégé III in 2013, he was Acquisitions and Planning Team Leader at Newfield Exploration. From 1992-2003, he served as Vice President – Acquisitions, Acquisitions Technical Manager, and an Acquisitions Engineer at Vintage Petroleum, Inc. He worked at Enron Oil and Gas Company as Senior Production Engineer from 1990-1991, and Exxon Company USA from 1983-1990, serving in various engineering and supervisory positions. Martin has a B.S. Degree with Distinction in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas.