Who We are
Ben R Weber Jr. — General Partner
For the past 40 years, Ben R Weber Jr has been involved in oil and gas exploration and investment through Weber Energy Corporation, contributing to the drilling of over 300 wells as an operator, and 2,000 more with partners. He founded Weber Energy Corporation, Conquest Resources Corp., STI Corp, and Synfuels International Corp., all of which have made significant contributions to the sector over the years. His breadth of experience and his knowledge of the business has seen each of these corporations thrive and expand, allowing them to help shape the future of the industry by promoting sustainable practices across their operations. With Ben Weber's insight and leadership, these companies have become some of the most successful entities within their respective fields and are setting an example for others to strive for in this ever-changing industry.
After an unprecedented sales of oil and gas divestitures between 2010-2014 totaling $6.5 Billion with partners, Weber chose to focus less on riskier oil and gas exploration ventures in favor of using his knowledge to invest in minerals and raw land real estate.
In 2015, he established Texas Republic Management to further these endeavors, providing him and his partners with the tools needed for long-term success in the real estate business. As part of their investments, they have focused on raw land real estate as well as oil and gas minerals - a combination which has allowed them to wisely diversify their portfolio over the years, thus protecting their financial interests from market downturns and other unforeseen circumstances.
Ben R. Weber, Jr. born in 1951 is a 3rd generation Texan residing in Dallas , Texas. He is an alumnus of The University of Texas, Austin. Mr. Weber serves as a member of the Chancellors Council at The University of Texas, Austin and established the Ben R. Weber, Jr Energy Management Scholarship Endowment at the McCombs School of Business. Additionally, he serves on the McCombs School of Business advisory council. Weber served for 7 years(2003-2010) on the advisory council of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. His relationship and research funding with TX A&M generated 35 patents issued by the US Patent Office to TX A&M Univ. and his company Synfuels International.
Ben Weber has served on the advisory board of UT Southwestern Medical Children’s Hospital, Dallas, TX; Baylor Healthcare Systems Dallas TX; The United Cerebral Palsy Guild; The Dallas Fair Park Science Place, Dallas Heritage Society, Old City Park, Dallas TX. and the Dallas Arboretum.
Rene Elgersma — VP of Operations
With over 12 years of experience in the real estate industry, Rene has built a successful career working for real estate investors. Her expertise in identifying and analyzing investment opportunities in undeveloped land has allowed her to provide valuable insights to investors looking to maximize their returns.
As a seasoned professional in the field, she has a deep understanding of the real estate market and the factors that influence property values. This has allowed her to provide clients with comprehensive market research and analysis, ensuring that they are making informed decisions about their investments.
Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with landowners, developers, and other industry professionals, allowing her to identify and negotiate favorable deals for clients. Her skills as a negotiator and problem solver has helped clients navigate complex issues, ensuring that their investments are financially sound.
Overall, her passion for real estate and dedication to providing exceptional service to clients has been the driving forces behind her success in the industry. She looks forward to continuing to help investors achieve their goals and make sound investments in real estate for many years to come.
Lisa Hartman — Controller
As Controller of several of Ben R. Weber’s businesses which include Texas Republic Management, Weber Energy Corporation, and Synfuels International, Inc., Lisa Hartman has over 35 plus years of financial experience. Her responsibilities cover a broad spectrum, including overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, accounting operations, tax compliance and risk management. Additional duties include working closely with other executive personnel to make strategic financial decisions and provide insight into the financial health of the companies.
She is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Steve Holmes — Attorney
Steve represents entrepreneurial clients from inception through the lifecycle of a business enterprise, providing corporate advice to companies on multiple topics. Steve forms all types of entities and advises on the structure, differences and advantages of each type of entity. Steve guides his clients through the intricacies of the federal and state securities laws, helping his clients raise funds on a private and public basis. Steve also represents his clients in the acquisition of assets or other entities, preparing and negotiating asset and stock purchase agreements for multiple types of companies and industries, representing buyers and sellers, and assists in designing and implementing due diligence examinations of prospective buyers and sellers. If clients want to exit their business enterprises, Steve counsels his clients through available strategies to maximize his clients’ return on investment.
Dena Wicker – Accountant
Dena has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, finance and business operations. Dena holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas-Dallas. Dena's expertise lies in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, process improvement, risk management and strategic planning.