James A. “Jim” Gibbs is the Chairman of Five States Energy, which he founded in 1985 to acquire and manage investments in oil and gas properties. Over the past four decades, Jim has served as President and CEO of Five States, a Manager of Five States Energy Capital, LLC, and Chairman of the Board of Managers. His leadership has guided the firm’s long-term strategy and positioned Five States as a respected name in private energy investment.
Jim began his career as a geologist with Chevron (then The California Company) in Louisiana before transitioning into independent oil and gas exploration. In 1964, he launched his own consulting and production business in Dallas, initiating drilling prospects, managing lease acquisitions, and operating producing assets. He later founded and successfully sold Petroleum Resources Company, an exploration firm focused on conventional oil and gas development.
Throughout his career, Jim has held senior roles with several notable companies, including Petrus Operating Company, Cornell Oil Company, and Lyco Energy Company, where he served as Exploration Manager and geological consultant. His deep technical expertise and entrepreneurial instincts have been foundational to his success in energy investing.
Jim holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Geology from the University of Oklahoma. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1959.
Beyond Five States, Jim has remained a dedicated leader in the geoscience community. He served as President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and later chaired the AAPG Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council, a Trustee of SMU’s Institute for the Study of Earth and Man, and a member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Oklahoma’s Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. He is also the author of Becoming an Independent Geologist: Thriving in Good Times and Bad, a guide for aspiring professionals navigating the energy industry. Jim is passionate about fostering interest in the geosciences and supporting the next generation of geologists.