Scott Sheffield began his career in the oil and gas industry in 1976 and became the founding CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources in 1997, growing the company to become the largest producer in Texas prior to announcing its merger with ExxonMobil in October of 2023. He has played a leading part in securing American energy security through his role in the shale revolution and lifting the U.S. crude oil export ban. He has also led industry efforts to reduce CO2 and methane emissions in the Permian Basin. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the Texas Oil & Gas Association’s Distinguished Service Award, the ADL’s Henry Cohn Humanitarian Award in Dallas, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Hope Award in Midland and the Frank Pitts Award for Energy Leadership from SMU. With his wife he is currently dedicating his time and resources to building a state-of-the-art tennis facility with First Serve New Mexico aimed at providing life skills, tutoring and tennis instruction to the children of Santa Fe.