U.S. Department of State official to speak at International Energy Conference in OKC

Matthew McManus, an official from the U.S. Department of State, will be one of the featured speakers at Oklahoma City University’s International Energy Conference.

The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. It is presented by OCU’s Meinders School of Business.

The conference will serve as a discussion for leaders in the field of international energy. Along with the various speakers throughout the day, two panel discussions will take place.  An Operators panel discussing “New Cutting-Edge Technologies in the Oil & Gas Industry,” and a panel focusing on “Communications in the Energy Industry,” particularly internal and external communications in opening new areas of Mexico and the U.K. for shale resource development will highlight the panel discussions.

McManus currently serves as the deputy director for policy analysis and public diplomacy within the state department’s Bureau of Energy Resources. McManus has served with the state department for 22 years, and has been involved in energy and economic issues.

Steven Agee, the dean and professor of economics at the Meinders School of Business, said that the conference showcases Oklahoma City’s emerging role in the world of energy economics.

“Oklahoma City, along with Oklahoma City University, is becoming an energy education center within the United States,” Agee said in a recent press release. “The university finds itself surrounded by dynamic and growing energy companies, and with General Electric’s decision to build their new Global Energy Research Center here, we fully expect to see continued growth and momentum in the energy sector and energy education in Oklahoma City.”

Local energy leaders will also lead discussions at the event, including John Richels, president and CEO of Devon Energy.

Efforts have been made to keep an international focus at this year’s event. Francisco Xavier Salazar, chairman of the energy regulatory commission of Mexico, will present. Two presenters from England will attend: Baille John Reynolds, deputy lord provost of Aberdeen and independent councillor for Bridge of Don, and David Smallman, managing partner of Pathfinder Team Consulting in the UK.

Tickets to the event are $150. Sponsorships are available. Contact Melissa Cory at (405) 208-5540 or visitwww.okcu.edu/business for more information.