A legacy of strong leadership
In the 60 years since Dawson Geophysical opened its doors, we have inspired trust in our clients and fostered an employee centered culture that has enabled us to become the premier onshore acquisition company in North America. We offer the stability that comes with having long tenured management and the confidence of dealing with industry veterans who understand your seismic challenges and deliver the exact solution you need. Key to our managerial strengths is our commitment to always being accountable. That is why, from the front office to the field, Dawson personnel are accessible to clients to ensure the job is done as promised.
Key Leader Bios:
- Stephen C. Jumper, President & Chief Executive Officer
- C. Ray Tobias, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
- James K. Brata, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary & Treasure
- Alan Mark Nelson, Vice President, HSSE
- Philip Lathram, Vice President of IT
- Tom Phillips, Vice President of Applied Geophysical Technology
- David Nobles, Vice President, General Counsel
Stephen C. Jumper
President & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Jumper joined Dawson Geophysical Company in January of 1985 as a geophysicist. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in December of 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences, Geophysics option. Jumper began his career with Dawson as a seismic data processor.
During his tenure with Dawson, Mr. Jumper has served the company as Technical Services Manager with an emphasis on 3-D seismic processing, Vice President of Technical Services, and currently President. He was elected President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of the Company in January, 2001. Jumper currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director.
Mr. Jumper’s professional affiliations include memberships with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Permian Basin Geophysical Society, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, and the West Texas Geological Society. He served the Permian Basin Geophysical Society as Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President from 1991 – 1994. He has made several technical presentations to various local and national professional societies meetings and co-authored a 3-D case study paper published in a joint SEG/AAPG publication. Jumper currently serves on the University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences Advisory Counsel.
C. Ray Tobias
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Tobias joined the Company in 1990, and was elected Vice President in September 1997 and Executive Vice President and Director in January 2001. In January 2006, Mr. Tobias was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Tobias supervises client relationships and survey cost quotations to clients. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors and is Past President of the Permian Basin Geophysical Society. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Tobias was employed by Geo-Search Corporation where he was an operations supervisor.
James K. Brata
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary & Treasurer
Mr. Brata was named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer in February 2015 upon the combination of Dawson Geophysical Company with TGC Industries, Inc. Mr. Brata joined TGC Industries in 2008 in the capacity of Vice President. Mr. Brata served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of TGC Industries from March 2009 until February 2015. Prior to joining TGC Industries, Mr. Brata served in a variety of capacities at Fortune 500 and other publicly traded companies, and was a consultant with KPMG LLP and Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Brata holds a BS degree in Accounting, an MBA in Finance, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Alan Mark Nelson
Vice President, HSSE
Mr. Nelson joined the Company in 1993 and was elected Vice President in January 2004. Mr. Nelson has over thirty years of seismic experience, holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and is a registered environmental professional. He has also served as the Chairman of the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, is a member of the National Registry of Environmental Professionals and of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Philip Lathram
Vice President of IT
Mr. Lathram joined the Company in 1991 and was elected Vice President in February 2017. Prior to 2017, Mr. Lathram served as IT Manager. Mr. Lathram is responsible for planning, implementing and managing the overall use of Information Technologies within Dawson Geophysical Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lathram was employed by Seismograph Service Corporation where he was a Systems Engineer for the borehole division. Mr. Lathram has an Associate Degree in Electronics from DeVry Institute of Technology, Dallas, TX.
Tom Phillips
Vice President of Applied Geophysical Technology
Mr. Phillips joined the Company in 2013 and was elected Vice President in 2017. Mr. Phillips is responsible for overseeing the Company’s acquisition crew operations, technical support, and equipment maintenance. He is also responsible for researching, developing, and implementing the latest technology in land seismic acquisition. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Phillips spent ten years in support, design, and management roles relating to land seismic source technology. Mr. Phillips holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Engineering Technology Management from Oklahoma State University and an MBA in Finance from Oklahoma Christian University.
David Nobles
Vice President, General Counsel
Mr. Nobles joined the Company in 2012 and was elected Vice President in 2019. Mr. Nobles holds BA’s in Journalism and English from Baylor University and received a JD from Baylor Law School in 1985. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nobles was a litigator for several law firms in east and central Texas. He is a certified mediator and was board certified, Personal Injury Trial Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Nobles is responsible for the supervision of the Company’s legal affairs, working closely with management and outside counsel to protect the Company’s interests.
