A team of vision dedicated to excellence

Gene Van Dyke has more than 60 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry.  A graduate of The University of Oklahoma with a BS in Geological Engineering, his career began in 1951 as an Independent Producer and Operator in Wichita Falls, Texas. From 1958 to 1962, he operated in Houston under the partnership of Van Dyke and Mejlaender, working the Texas Gulf Coast. In 1962 Mr. Van Dyke formed Van Dyke Oil Company, concentrating on exploration and production activities primarily in South Louisiana.  During this time his company made Louisiana’s significant discovery, the West Lake Arthur Field, in 1968.

 In 1973, Mr. Van Dyke chose to devote his company exclusively to international offshore exploration, beginning with the North Sea in its early days of offshore exploration.  This move allowed the company to be responsible for many of the significant oil and gas discoveries offshore The Netherlands.

Twenty-three years later Mr. Van Dyke ventured into a new frontier, deepwater West Africa.  Within 4 years, Vanco amassed a strategic position offshore Africa, becoming a leading license holder offshore 8 African countries.

Mr. Van Dyke is a Director and Shareholder of Vanco Exploration Company.  In 1999, The Houston Geological Society named him one of its “Legends in Wildcatting.” 

Mr. Van Dyke has served as Executive Vice President of Vanco Energy Company since October 2011.  He has over 14 years of experience in the domestic and international E&P industry including technical, operational, marketing, financial, legal, and general management.  When he began his career at Vanco in 1998, his roles included Geophysicist, Marketing Analyst, Operations Manager, Assistant Treasurer, and Business Advisor.  In 2008, he joined Hess Corporation as Commercial Advisor in the Global Commercial Group for Americas & Africa. For the two years preceding his latest appointment at Vanco, he managed the business development activities for Torch Energy Advisors, an energy-focused investment management firm. Mr. Van Dyke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Houston and an MBA in Finance & Accounting from the Jesse H. Jones School of Management at Rice University.

Philip C Williams was appointed Vice President Finance December 2011.  With over 35 years experience in the energy industry, Philip has a wide range of experience that includes international petroleum accounting, forecasting, budgeting, auditing, treasury, tax and contract negotiations.  Most recently Philip was Vice President Treasurer and Controller of Vanco Exploration, Houston.  Joining Vanco Energy Company in 1995 as Controller, Philip’s responsibilities and expertise grew over the next 16 years as Vanco evolved from a small North Sea exploration company to a major operator in deepwater Africa and the Black Sea.  After graduating from Bowling Green State University with a BBA in Accounting, Philip started his career with Marathon Oil Company, serving in many technical, financial and management positions, including Managing Director in Brazil, for over 17 years.  Mr. Williams is active in his community serving at his church, local museum, Boy Scouts, United Way, American Heart Association and many more.  Mr. Williams is also a decorated United States Coast Guard Vietnam Veteran.  He is an active member in the Texas Society of CPA’s, the Houston Chapter of CPA’s, the AICPA, National Association of CFOs, American Payroll Association and the Petroleum Club of Houston.

Janice joined Vanco Energy Company in 1993, starting the company’s office of public relations in 1996.  During the next 7 years Janice established Vanco’s corporate identity and industry presence as the company expanded it operations to 8 African countries.  Among other duties as Vice President, Public Relations, she managed publicity, advertising, media relations and government affairs.  In 2003 Janice formed Van Dyke Walden & Associates, an independent PR practice, with a client base in oil and gas, medicine, education, conservation and the arts.  In rejoining Vanco in 2011, Janice’s responsibilities include managing media and government affairs.  She is a graduate of the United World College of the Atlantic and holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College.