Management

David E. Combs

After a stint in the Coast Guard and the Oil and Gas Credit Division of Los Angeles based Crocker National Bank, David joined Termo in 1966 with an MBA from the University of Southern California. He succeeded his father, Eldredge as President of The Termo Company in 1981 and successfully merged the company and its affiliate, Termo of Texas, in 1987. Today, he is President and Chairman of The Termo Company.

David is active in wildlife conservation organizations and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, as California State Chairman of Ducks Unlimited, and is currently on the Board of Directors of The Bear River Club Company.  In the past, he has served on the boards of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, California Independent Producers Association, Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and as a board member and President of the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation.

Francis H. Roth

Francis joined Termo in 1998 as a Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is currently a member of the Termo Board of Directors. Francis has more than 50 years’ experience in the industry including engineering positions with Amoco and Chevron and, most recently, was President of HarCor Energy in Houston. He received a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Kansas, an MS from the University of Oklahoma, and an MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles. Francis is a Registered Petroleum Engineer in California and Texas and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Norbert W. 'Bill' Buss

Bill joined Termo in 1995 and is Vice President of Operations. He is responsible not only for production operations, but also reservoir, reserve, and acquisition analysis. Bill has a BS in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He worked for Southern California Gas Company for ten years as manager of engineering for reservoir development of their gas storage fields, and for Aminoil USA, Inc. in Huntington Beach in their onshore and offshore oil fields for the eight years prior. He is a California Registered Professional Petroleum Engineer, has served on the board of Long Beach Based Oil Operators, is currently on the board of CIPA, and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Paul Buika

Paul joined Termo in 2007 and is now the Geology Manager. He has more than 32 years’ experience in the industry including geological positions with Unocal, McFarland Energy, Samedan Oil / Noble Energy, and Petrogulf Corporation. He received a BS in Geology from the University of Rochester and an M.S. in Geology from Texas Tech and is a member of AAPG and PSAAPG. 

Vincent Naughton

Vince joined Termo in 1999 with more than 18 years of experience with independent oil companies in the California area.  As Controller, he is responsible for the overall management of accounting, audit, income tax, financial planning and performance analysis, bank financing / relations, and internal and external financial reporting.  Vince has a BS in Business Administration / Accounting from San Diego State University.

Rae Lynne Black

Rae Lynne joined Termo in 1992 and serves as the Health, Safety, and Environment Regulatory Manager.  With one of the most essential jobs at Termo, she has become an expert on California Emission Regulations and is supported in her work by two other staff members.  Rae Lynne started her industry career in 1982 with Chevron USA as a field operator.  She has a BA from California State University, Long Beach and is active in several industry organizations.

Terry Allred

Terry joined Termo in 2012 as the Land Manager. While residing in California, Terry has worked several western and mid-continent states as a landman for the past 32 years. Terry obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1980 from the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Petroleum Land Management. Starting with Getty Oil Company, he has spent most of his career working for smaller independent companies like Quintana Petroleum, Mission Resources and McFarland Energy. Terry also managed the 400,000 acre minerals portfolio of Transamerica Minerals Company for 15 years. He is a Registered Land Professional, a member of the AAPL and a past President of both the Bakersfield and the Los Angeles Associations of Professional Landmen.

Manuel Magallanes

Manuel joined Termo in 2011 as a Production Engineer.  He brings a service side background to the company having worked for Baker Hughes and Schlumberger, which is being put to use to optimize the company’s production and increase well work-over success.  Originally from Venezuela, he has worked in Azerbaijan and Romania and has a BS in Petroleum Engineering and an MS in Drilling and Production from the Universitatea Petrol–Gaze din Ploiesti, Romania and is a member of the SPE.

Ralph Combs

Beginning at the age of sixteen, Ralph started as a roustabout for Termo in the fields of southern California.  In 2003 he rejoined Termo as a Regulatory Specialist for the company’s Wyoming Operations and is now the Manager, Corporate Development.  Ralph holds an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, Missoula and an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management, and is a member of the IPAA and YPE.