In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Midland Community Theatre
2000 W Wadley Ave
Midland, Texas, 79705
United States

Adrian Vega

Executive Director for Education Partnership of the Permian Basin

Dr. Adrian Vega is the Executive Director for the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. Before becoming Executive Director, Dr. Vega served in various school districts across the state of Texas and Arizona for 20 years. Dr. Vega began his career in the Dallas Independent School District, where he served as a bilingual teacher, elementary school assistant principal, instructional coach, and professional developer. Dr. Vega also served as a middle school principal in the Tyler Independent School District, where he brought Project Based Learning and Project Lead the Way to Boulter Middle School. While serving in the Ector County ISD, Dr. Vega was the founding principal of New Tech Odessa High School, an all-academic, college-prep, project based learning high school. Dr. Vega also served as the Deputy Superintendent for the Tucson Unified School District and Superintendent in San Benito CISD.

Grant Billingsley

Executive Director of Scharbauer Foundation

Grant Billingsley is Executive Director of Scharbauer Foundation, Inc., a private charitable foundation in Midland, TX. Grant worked 25 years as Manager of Public Affairs for Wagner & Brown, Ltd., an independent oil and gas company in Midland, and was on staff at the Midland Chamber of Commerce from 1975 to 1986. In 2005, Grant chaired the statewide Texas Energy Cluster Team, and from 2005 to 2009 he served as a Governor’s appointee on the first Advisory Committee of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. Grant is a Past Chairman of the Texas Lyceum, the Texas Economic Development Council, and the Permian Basin Area Foundation. He was the first President of the Midland Development Corporation, served as President Petroleum Club of Midland, and has been on numerous boards in Austin and Midland.

Kevin Dawson

Founder & Executive Director of Maybe in Midland-Odessa

As a consultant helping organizations develop best practices in human capital management, leadership development, organizational culture, Kevin has spent his professional career focusing on building successful and sustainable organizations for his clients. With over a decade of experience in leadership and organizational culture development, creative and strategic problem solving, and strong analytical skills have made him a trusted advisor in his industry. He is also a sought after thought leader and asked to speak at events across the country, which led to establishment of the Leaders & Lagers Podcast. He has served across various volunteer boards including as Founder & Chairman of the West Texas HR Symposium, Past-President of the Permian Basin Society for Human Resource Management, Board of Trustees for the Museum of the Southwest, ExecRank Human Resource Advisory Council Member. Kevin will also be featured in Season 2 of new reality docu-series 4 Days to Save the World.

Laura Roman

Partner-in-Charge, Tax Services for Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P.

The leader of Weaver’s tax services for the Permian Basin, Laura has also led numerous civic and education organizations in the region. She is known for her ability to build large, diverse teams — both corporate and volunteer — to get the most out of everyone’s talents. Laura currently serves as a trustee of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, board member for the Midland Downtown Park Conservancy and Education Partnership of the Permian Basin, a collective impact organization representing five local school districts to reform education. She has also served as Chairman of the Midland Chamber of Commerce and the Midland Development Corporation, and she helped establish the Young Professionals of Midland. She is a past president of the Midland Community Theatre, Arts Council of Midland, and Educate Midland. At Weaver, Laura focuses on the oil and gas industry, frequently speaking on energy and tax issues at national conferences. She earned her BBA in accounting from Baylor University.

Tracee Bentley

Chief Executive Officer of Permian Strategic Partnership

Tracee Bentley is the CEO of Permian Strategic Partnership, a collaboration between local communities and oil and gas companies operating in the Permian Basin. Before joining PSP as its first CEO, Bentley was the Executive Director of the Colorado Petroleum Council, a division of the American Petroleum Institute, which focuses on state and local policy and supporting the development of Colorado’s energy resources, including hydraulic fracturing and energy infrastructure. Prior to joining the Colorado Petroleum Council in March 2015, Bentley served in several key policy positions including Legislative Director & Senior Advisor on Energy and Agriculture and Deputy Director of the Colorado Energy Office for Governor John Hickenlooper. Before Bentley’s tenure with the Hickenlooper administration, she was a founding Principal of a bi-partisan lobbying firm that focused on energy, natural resource, and agriculture interests. Director of National Affairs for the Colorado Farm Bureau.