Brian S. Brister earned his Ph.D. degree in geology at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 1990, his M.S. degree in geology at Sul Ross State University 1986, and his B.S. degree in geology at University of Southwestern Louisiana 1983. He has held adjunct faculty positions at New Mexico Tech (2000-2005) where he advised student theses and graduate-level directed research, and at Midwestern State University (2006-2012), where he taught undergraduate Petroleum Geology. His published research focuses on the tectonic development of the southern Rocky Mountains region. Dr. Brister’s industry experience is in exploring for, and developing, onshore U.S. conventional oil, and low permeability gas reservoirs, in multiple U.S. basins. He is currently CO2 Exploration Manager for Kinder Morgan, Inc. His professional experience includes time with Burnett Oil Company, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Gunn Oil Company, all prior to his current work with Kinder Morgan.

Dr. Brister is a strong believer in networking and volunteerism within the geological community. His is a 31 year member of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Geological Society of America (30 years), West Texas Geological Society 28 years), Rocky Mountain Association of Petroleum Geologists (27 years). He is an Honorary and Lifetime member and past officer of New Mexico Geological Society and was founding President of the New Mexico Geological Society Foundation, a non-profit organization. He has served in officer and other volunteer positions for Fort Worth Oil Information Library, North Texas Geological Society, and Southwest Section A.A.P.G. At times he has also been active with Four Corners Geological Society, Roswell Geological Society, and Albuquerque Geological Society. Brian enjoys vacations that include hiking, backpacking, boating, hunting and fishing. His weekends general involve hard labor at his family’s tree farm.