Category: Employee Spotlight

Welcome to our Valor Employee Spotlight series! In this edition, we’re thrilled to introduce Ashlyn Barney, RL, Senior Landman. Ashlyn is a vital member of the Valor family and we can’t wait for you to learn more about her!

Background and Experience

Before joining the Valor land team, Ashlyn spent several years working in the oil and gas industry as a Landman. She has experience in acquisitions, divestitures, mineral leasing and title examination. Ashlyn has been heavily involved in multi-billion-dollar acquisitions in various states including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado.

Role at Valor

• In her current role at Valor, Ashlyn is primarily focused on solving problems for mineral and royalty owners. This includes contacting operators on wells that aren’t being paid, finding new wells the client should be paid on, setting up direct deposits and ensuring all clients get paid in a timely and accurate manner. Additionally, Ashlyn has established relationships with operators/payors to ensure our mineral management clients are paid properly for the assets they own. Her day-to-day responsibilities include corresponding on wells that are in suspense, filing deeds for ownership changes, setting clients up for ACH and making necessary address changes during the onboarding process.

Ashlyn’s Favorites

Outside the Office

• Ashlyn cherishes her time outside the office, dedicating it to her family. She loves spending quality moments with her husband, daughter, and son. Ashlyn is particularly passionate about being involved in her daughter’s interests, including junior rodeo events and other sporting events.

Favorite Drink/Food
Ashlyn’s favorite indulgence is a steak and lobster dinner, complemented by a lemon drop martini.

What Ashlyn Loves Most About Valor

“I love Valor because of the great coworkers! I also feel fulfilled when I resolve problems for our clients, especially identifying money that has been held in suspense and resolving title issues. It’s rewarding to make a positive impact in such a direct way.” – Ashlyn Barney

Ashlyn is a remarkable example of the talent we have here at Valor. Stay tuned for more employee spotlights to learn about the incredible individuals who make Valor a great place to work!

Welcome to our Valor Employee Spotlight series! In this edition, we’re thrilled to introduce Mackenzie Dougherty, Executive Assistant. Mackenzie is a vital member of the Valor family and we can’t wait for you to learn more about her!

Background and Experience

Before joining the Valor team, Mackenzie honed her skills in the world of academia, graduating from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her professional journey began in the classroom, where she dedicated herself as a teacher for 1st and 4th graders. This experience in teaching was invaluable, equipping her with exceptional organizational and communication skills that have been crucial in her role at Valor. Mackenzie’s tenure in education required her to wear multiple hats, a challenge she met with enthusiasm and high energy, seamlessly transitioning these abilities into her varied responsibilities at Valor. Her ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and her innate problem-solving skills have made her an indispensable part of the team, enabling her to provide superior support not just internally, but also to Valor’s diverse mineral management & oil and gas operator clientele. This unique blend of experiences has shaped Mackenzie into a versatile and dynamic professional, perfectly suited for the multifaceted demands of her current role.

Role at Valor

Mackenzie, as the Executive Assistant to Valor’s President of Oil and Gas, Matt Autry, plays a role that extends far beyond the traditional responsibilities of managing his schedule and travel accommodations. Her involvement in the company encompasses a wide range of operational aspects, particularly in nurturing a vibrant office culture. Mackenzie is the go-to person for planning and organizing office events, from parties to birthday celebrations and work anniversaries. Her organizational skills and keen eye for detail were also pivotal in the recent renovations of the Valor office, where she played a significant role in enhancing the workspace. Additionally, Mackenzie is instrumental in the onboarding process for new employees, ensuring a smooth and welcoming transition into the company. Known for her proactive and hands-on approach, she is always the first to volunteer for tasks, regardless of whether they fall within her official job description. Her willingness to step in where needed, combined with her dedication to fostering a positive office environment, makes her an invaluable asset to the Valor team.

Mackenzie’s Favorites

Outside the Office

• Outside of the office, Mackenzie is a passionate A&M football fan, having attended every home game this past season 2023, showcasing her unwavering team spirit. When not at A&M football games, she can be found attending other sporting events and concerts, or daydreaming of traveling to her favorite spots – Hawaii and the Cayman Islands. She also cherishes spending quality time with her family, friends, and beloved dogs Jax and Charlie.

Favorite Drink/Food

Mackenzie’s favorite dish is fajitas, and when it comes to finding the best in Fort Worth, she swears by Paloma Suerte and The Original as her top go-to spots.

What Mackenzie Loves Most About Valor

“The opportunities afforded me at Valor include the excitement of learning a new industry and the experience and responsibility of solving some of our business challenges. I have had a chance to contribute to Valor during a time of unprecedented growth of the team. The support of my colleagues at Valor has made my transition from the primary education space easy and rewarding.” – Mackenzie Dougherty

Mackenzie is a remarkable example of the talent we have here at Valor. Stay tuned for more employee spotlights to learn about the incredible individuals who make Valor a great place to work!

Welcome to our Valor Employee Spotlight series! In this edition, we’re thrilled to introduce Hunter Harris, Staff Landman. Hunter is a vital member of the Valor family and we can’t wait for you to learn more about him!

Background and Experience

Hunter Harris graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) with a Bachelor of Science in Geology, where he was a research assistant in the university’s Geology Department, as well as a member of the university’s Division I football program. Prior to joining Valor, Hunter served as a staff geologist for Bertram, Texas-based BBA Engineering, a full-service environmental consulting, hydrogeology, and engineering firm providing a broad range of services to industrial, municipal, and public clientele across Texas and surrounding states. 

Role at Valor

Hunter plays a pivotal role in our Land and Mineral Management department, applying his expertise in geology to our mineral clients’ portfolios. His day-to-day responsibilities center around running title to accurately determine asset ownership for our clients. This crucial process involves meticulously tracing property histories to establish rightful ownership, a foundation of our mineral management services. Hunter also excels in accurately mapping tracts for client assets using our proprietary mineral management software, mineral.tech^®. His proficiency with mineral management data and software is key in maintaining the high accuracy and reliability of our platform. Beyond these technical tasks, Hunter is instrumental in supporting the department with the onboarding of new clients, and adapting our strategies to meet their diverse needs. He routinely works with a broad spectrum of clientele, including individuals, families, banks, corporations, and universities, ensuring their unique mineral management needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and expertise.

Hunter’s Favorites

Outside the Office

• Outside the office, Hunter is an avid outdoorsman with a deep passion for fishing and hunting. He enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible. Away from the wilderness, Hunter enjoys playing the guitar and listening to music with friends. However, the most joyous part of his life is undoubtedly the time spent with his two children. Hunter cherishes every opportunity to bond with his kids, making the most of their time together.

Favorite Drink/Food

Hunter’s favorite food is smoked BBQ, prepared in an offset smoker. He says there is nothing better than enjoying some BBQ and a nice cold beer outside with friends and family.

What Hunter Loves Most About Valor

“The best part about working at Valor is undoubtedly the people. Our leadership team is not just incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, but they have also created an environment that encourages personal growth and development in my role. The people here are the primary reason Valor is a great place to work.” – Hunter Harris

Hunter is a remarkable example of the talent we have here at Valor. Stay tuned for more employee spotlights to learn about the incredible individuals who make Valor a great place to work!

Welcome to our Valor Employee Spotlight series! In this edition, we’re thrilled to introduce Pam Presswood, Chief Information Officer (CIO). Pam is a vital member of the Valor family and we can’t wait for you to learn more about her!

Background and Experience

Pam graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. with honors in Computer Science and earned a letter in varsity fast-pitch softball. She has 40 years of dedicated experience in information technologies, having executed multiple highly successful systems and financial application software conversions. Prior to joining Valor, Pam most recently served as the Vice President of Information Systems for Luther King Capital Management, a leading financial and investment services firm with multiple offices in Texas, serving high-net-worth individuals, institutions, foundations, and trusts. She spent over 25 years with the company, first at the director level, before eventually being promoted to the vice-presidential position. Pam also served IBM for eight years. Early on in Pam’s career, she earned an IBM Sales and Marketing Excellence award and completed IBM’s Transformational Leadership Program. Pam still maintains a plaque from IBM with a one-dollar bill commemorating her “First Billable Dollar Fort Worth/West Texas” region when IBM changed from a product manufacturer to a service provider. From that time on, she worked for IBM and as an independent consultant to solve customer’s systems, data, and information processing needs, delivering tailored professional services and focused customized solutions. 

Role at Valor

Following her retirement from LKCM in August 2021, she took the unique opportunity to come out of retirement to join Valor as CIO. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in leading efforts to ensure the technology, IT processes and systems support the unprecedented growth of the company. In 2023 alone, she pioneered a SOC 1 Type II for Valor. In her day-to-day role, Pam designs, deploys and manages the strategic systems infrastructure for Valor. She also oversees the systems architecture, operations, and implementation of business applications as the company continues to expand exponentially. She is involved in various cybersecurity measures and works to ensure that Valor’s proprietary mineral management software, mineral.tech® is secure and optimized.

Pam’s Favorites

Outside the Office

• Pam is a founding member of the Women Steering Business, a civic-minded nonprofit dedicated to the development and mentorship of the next generation of female business leaders in Fort Worth. Since 2013, the organization has been funding livestock sales from young women who use the proceeds to advance their own education and vocational opportunities. To date it is the second largest sponsor of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and the Junior Sale of Champions, and this year will surpass 2 million dollars in total contributions. In addition to Women Steering Business, Pam was previously a member of the mentor program through Cassata High School in Fort Worth, where she served as a volunteer supporter for fundraising efforts. Pam additionally sat on the Keller Athletic Board, where she helped with fundraising and sports media guides for 5 years. Pam is married and has three children and two grandchildren. She finds immense joy in spending quality time with her grandchildren and taking them around Fort Worth to see all it has to offer!

Favorite Drink/Food

Pam has unique hobbies that include a small vineyard where she and her husband grow and process grapes to make their own wine. She also is certified as a Level 1 Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. In her free time, she loves to enjoy a glass of wine and can often be found snacking on micro-greens that she grows herself!

What Pam Loves Most About Valor

“Valor has provided me with exciting opportunities to learn new technology and to contribute my previous experiences for the success of the business. I thrive in the culture at Valor and I am thrilled to have had this opportunity to meet and work with a fantastic team.” – Pam Presswood

Pam is a remarkable example of the talent we have here at Valor. Stay tuned for more employee spotlights to learn about the incredible individuals who make Valor a great place to work!