Michael L. Thiele, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Thiele has served in numerous high-level capacities with the Bechtel Group, Inc. for forty-one years, including serving as President of Bechtel’s Pipeline Business Line for 18 years and as board member from 1997 until his retirement in 2005. As a Bechtel Senior Executive, Mr. Thiele developed and oversaw major international Bechtel engineering, procurement, and construction projects in Libya, Abu Dhabi, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Peru, Portugal, Russia and the United States. He also served as President of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association.
Larry J. Bump, Vice-Chairman of the Board
During his executive career, Mr. Bump lived and worked abroad in Libya, Iran, and the U.K. before becoming CEO of Willbros in 1977, where he was responsible for their worldwide engineering and construction activities. He led a successful IPO of Willbrosin 1996, when the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, Mr. Bump served two terms as President of the International Pipe Line & Offshore Contractors Association. A 1964 graduate of Oklahoma State University, Mr. Bump served on the OSU Board of Regents, and in 2004, was inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of EMCOR Group, Inc. in addition to several other closely held companies.
Andrew M. Allen
President and CEO of GSL, Mr. Allen is a highly experienced leader who—as a former NASA Astronaut and Marine Corps pilot—knows first-hand the critical importance of fire suppression and protection. Mr. Allen previously served as VP of Space Programs, VP of International Military Aircraft, and VP of Space Systems Sales and Marketing at Honeywell. Before that, Mr. Allen worked for United Space Alliance, prime contractor for NASA’s Space Shuttle Operations and Maintenance. Mr. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and honorary doctorates in Public Service, Engineering Science, and Aerospace Management.
Jeff Cope
Mr. Cope is the CEO of Tulco Oils, Inc., involved in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of industrial lubricant products. Purchased in 1978, Tulco Oils has since become an international supplier of refined specialty petroleum products serving the manufacturing and production industries. Mr. Cope has held several key management positions within the petroleum industry over the last 35 years and is also active in civic and community organizations.
Marc W. Evans
Mr. Evans has, for over 27 years, been a top producer in the Brokerage and Investment Banking industry. From 1980‐1990, Mr. Evans served as a financial advisor with Smith Barney and, in 1990, was appointed Vice‐President at Prudential Securities, where he served until 2004. In 2005, Mr. Evans joined Sanders Morris Harris, an Investment Banking firm based out of Houston, Texas. He has been involved in financing in numerous business sectors, including real estate, oil and gas, manufacturing and other specialty companies.
