Rice Energy Finance Summit

Overview


The Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS) is an annual conference organized by a committee of MBA candidates from the Jones Graduate School of Business. The conference was created to promote forward-looking discussions on the most pertinent energy issues and facilitate valuable relationships through the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Additionally, REFS offers a significant opportunity for corporations and industry leaders to directly contribute to the development of thought leadership in the community.

The 5th annual Rice Energy Finance Summit will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 in the Shell Auditorium at McNair Hall. This year’s theme is Navigating the Changing Energy Map.

2012 Presentations:

Campus Directions and Parking


Visitor parking is available in the Central Campus Garage, the underground garage beneath the Jones Graduate School of Business (McNair Hall). To park in this garage, enter from Rice Boulevard (Entrance #20) and turn right at the second stop sign. The building and entrance to the garage will be on your left. Take the elevators at the east end of the garage to the first floor.


About McNair Hall


"Architecture is a conversation across time" – Robert A.M. Stern

Since its beginnings, the focus and function of the school have expanded exponentially. Technology has advanced, interdisciplinary partnerships have increased, and the enrollment of strong students and the hiring of innovative, first-rate faculty strained the capacity of Herring Hall, the school’s home since 1984. To accommodate the significant transition and expansion that the Jones Graduate School would take on in the new century, a new building became necessary.

But with the need for a new building was also the knowledge that not only must this building be beautiful and in keeping with Rice’s architecture, it also must be innovative, with an eye toward the future, while reflecting the University’s and the school’s past.

To this end, the award-winning architect and dean of the Yale School of Architecture, Robert A. M. Stern, was chosen to design the new building. Stern’s work is best known for its emphasis on continuity of tradition and for creating buildings that are appropriate to the project at hand, buildings that take into account the spirit of the places in which they are located.

"Architecture is a conversation across time. The subjects of that conversation may vary, but none is more important than the topic of place. For that reason, it is a particular pleasure for us to work at Rice University, where Ralph Adams Cram’s place-making campus plan and his Lovett Hall have been honored for generations. The building for the Jones Graduate School carries forward the Rice tradition, interpreting and reinterpreting it to meet new and future needs. Comprising three distinct components that define an intimately scaled courtyard, the Jones Graduate School building cloaks myriad functions—including a library, dining hall, and auditorium, as well as classrooms and faculty offices—in Rice’s characteristic St. Joe brick, laid up with wide, flat struck joints. Limestone and matching cast stone trim help articulate the building, which rises to a red barrel-tile roof. A passageway recalling Cram’s open-air arcades forms a sallyport to allow pedestrian movement through the building at its midpoint, further locking its mass into the overall campus pattern."

Summit Sponsorship


Rice Energy Finance Summit offers a significant opportunity for corporations and industry leaders to directly contribute to the development of thought leadership in the community. Summit and Table Sponsor opportunities are available. For sponsorship information please contact Jimmy Battista at refs@rice.edu.

Sponsor Benefits


REFS FLAGSHIP SPONSOR - $25,000 Exclusive sponsorship level — limited to three energy or financial companies — provides valuable sponsorship recognition and enhanced sponsor benefits to your company.
  • Title Sponsor for Luncheon or Cocktail Reception at Jesse H. Jones School Anderson Family Commons, or REFS Kick-Off Dinner.
  • Company logo featured in a prominent location on all REFS media and communication collateral, including but not limited to: REFS website, REFS Facebook and LinkedIn page, save the date cards, invitations, banners, posters, flyers, and conference program.
  • Company featured in all media releases before and after conference. Previous sponsors received coverage in Oil & Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Journal, The Wall Street Journal, Oil & Gas Financial Journal, Houston Business Journal, and Forbes Magazine.
  • Personal relationship manager from the Jones School and REFS liaison from the Organizing Committee to facilitate participation and enhance sponsorship experience.
  • Complimentary VIP table for company guests during kick-off dinner and luncheon (8 guests per table).
  • Individual ticket discounts (20%) for additional company guests.
  • VIP seating in the first five rows of the auditorium for the conference.
In addition to benefits listed above, sponsor will also receive Senior Patron Corporate Investor* benefits listed below and in the enclosed Corporate Investors brochure.
  • Visible recognition in multiple locations as a Patron.
  • Visible recognition in multiple locations as a Corporate Investor.
  • Access to Ruth and Gil Whitaker Business Information Center library resources.
  • A Jones School liaison to facilitate contacts and interaction with students, programs, and faculty.
  • Appointment of a designated Career Management Center consultant to evaluate hiring needs, provide a targeted list of MBA resumes and facilitate the interview process with candidates.
  • Exclusive opportunity to speak to Finance and Energy Clubs.
  • Reduced rate for your company’s attendees for Rice Executive Education Open Enrollment programs.
  • Subscriptions to the Jones Journal semi-annual magazine.
PATRON SPONSOR - $10,000 Sponsorship level is limited to five companies and provides enhanced sponsorship recognition to your company.
  • Admission for eight guests (includes parking, breakfast, luncheon, hors-d’oeuvrs, and cocktails).
  • Reserved VIP table for company guests during luncheon (eight guests per table).
  • Company logo on REFS marketing collateral, including REFS website, save the date cards, invitations, banner, and conference program.
  • Individual ticket discounts (15%) for additional company guests.
In addition to benefits listed above, sponsor will also receive Patron Corporate Investor* benefits listed below and in the enclosed Corporate Investors brochure.
  • Visible recognition in multiple locations as a Corporate Investor.
  • Access to Ruth and Gil Whitaker Business Information Center library resources.
  • A Jones School liaison to facilitate contacts and interaction with students, programs, and faculty.
  • Subscriptions to the Jones Journal semi-annual magazine.
SUMMIT SPONSOR - $5,000
  • Admission for eight guests (includes parking, breakfast, luncheon, hors-d’oeuvrs, and cocktails).
  • Reserved VIP table for company guests during luncheon (eight guests per table).
  • Company logo on REFS marketing collateral, including REFS website, save the date cards, invitations, banner, and conference program.
  • Individual ticket discounts (15%) for additional company guests.
TABLE SPONSOR - $2,500
  • Admission for eight guests (includes parking, breakfast, luncheon, hors-d’oeuvres, and cocktails).
  • Reserved VIP table for company guests during luncheon (8 guests per table).
  • Recognition of support on the official program, website, and other marketing materials.

Committee Chairpersons


Hutton Stuart Hutton
Committee Lead Chairperson
Stuart is a 1st year full-time MBA candidate at Rice University where he is concentrating in Finance and Energy. In addition to his REFS role, Stuart also represents the Jones School as a member of the Rice Honor Council. Prior to Rice, Stuart worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the firm’s Atlanta and Houston offices. During his time in the Houston office, Stuart advised clients in the energy industry on Mergers & Acquisitions transactions. Stuart graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2005 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy.
Philip Mullett
Committee Co-Chairperson for External Relations
Philip is a 1st year full-time MBA candidate at Rice University focusing on finance and energy. In addition to his REFS role, Philip is also a member of both the Finance and Energy clubs. Prior to starting his MBA, Philip was a broker at Hunington Properties, Inc., a Houston based full service commercial real estate firm. After his time in real estate, Philip spent the summer of 2012 in various roles at Peregrine Midstream Partners, LLC, a leader in natural gas storage development and storage-related midstream asset acquisitions. Philip received a B.A. In Communications from the University of St. Thomas.
Darby McEvoy
Committee Co-Chairperson for Finance & Operations
Darby is a first-year full-time MBA candidate concentrating in Energy and Finance. In addition to his role with REFS, Darby is a member of the Energy, Strategy and Finance Clubs, as well as the first year representative for Rice in the National Energy Finance Challenge. Prior to business school, Darby worked as a landman for Chesapeake Energy in the Barnett Shale division. Darby graduated from Duke University in 2008 with a BA in History as well as a certificate in Energy and the Environment.
Nathan Pope
Committee Co-Chairperson for Marketing
Nathan is a 1st year full-time MBA student with a concentration in Energy and Finance. He is a member of the Energy, Finance, Strategy, and Marketing student clubs. Prior to business school, Nathan worked at Ernst & Young LLP for eight years, the most recent five of which were spent in Houston’s Transaction Advisory Services practice. Nathan led buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence engagements for a variety of targets in all sectors of the energy industry throughout North America. Nathan earned his Accounting degree from Oklahoma Christian University in 2004 and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.

Committee Members


Emily Hampton
Finance & Operations - Committee Member
Alex Weaver
Finance & Operations - Committee Member
Brett Magill
Finance & Operations - Committee Member
Cole Henley
External Relations - Committee Member
Jonathan Glueck
External Relations - Committee Member
Chris Mersinger
External Relations - Committee Member
Taylor Throckmorton
External Relations - Committee Member
Michael Fisackerly
Marketing - Committee Member
James Low
Marketing - Committee Member

About the Jones School



Jones Graduate School of Business
The Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is one of the world’s leading business schools. Named in honor of the late Jesse Holman Jones, a prominent Houston business and civic leader, the Jones School is distinguished by its strong foundation in accounting, finance, marketing, and management with areas of excellence in energy, entrepreneurship, and health care. Degreed programs include the Rice MBA, MBA for Executives, and MBA for Professionals as well as joint MBA degrees in medicine, mechanical engineering and professional science. A PhD in Business attracts candidates aspiring to become faculty members at business schools in prestigious research universities internationally. The Jones School also provides an undergraduate business minor and full schedule of non-credit executive education open enrollment and customized courses for business and industry along with certificates in finance and accounting, health care and marketing.

To learn more: business.rice.edu

Energy at the Jones Graduate School of Business
The energy sector in Houston is a complex system that operates with both technical and business expertise. Varied functions within the energy industry necessitate a multi-faceted talent pool of economists, marketers, engineers, accountants and consultants. The Jones Graduate School of Business develops strong business leaders for impact on the energy sector with the specialized Concentration in Energy.

Rice MBAs specializing in Energy engage in a well-rounded curriculum that prepares them to meet the global challenges of the future of energy, from geopolitical, fiscal, and environmental perspectives. The Concentration in Energy provides students with a profound examination of crucial topics that define the scope of this dynamic sector.
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Event Information Title

 5th Annual Rice Energy Finance Summit
Thursday, November 7, 2013
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Shell Auditorium at McNair Hall, Rice University

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