Pierre Conner to lead Tulane Energy Institute

The A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University has named Pierre E. Conner III, a senior energy and finance executive with more than 40 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, to lead the Tulane Energy Institute. Conner will become executive director of the institute and a professor of practice on July 1, 2019.

Housed within the Freeman School, the Tulane Energy Institute provides research, thought leadership and educational opportunities exploring the integration of energy markets, policies, technology and the environment.

Conner spent 19 years with Capital One Securities, including serving as president and head of sales, research and trading and managing director of equity research. Prior to Capital One, he spent 18 years with ExxonMobil Corp., taking on growing managerial responsibilities in engineering and operations management roles.

“With nearly four decades of experience in energy capital markets as well as hands-on upstream and downstream operations, Pierre brings to the Freeman School deep knowledge at every level of the energy industry,” said Ira Solomon, dean of the Freeman School. “I am delighted that Pierre will apply his expertise to enrich teaching and research at the Tulane Energy Institute.”

Conner will guide the strategic direction and operations of the Tulane Energy Institute, which oversees energy-related academic programs and research to develop a highly skilled pool of employee talent to work successfully in the energy industry and related banking, consulting, financial, technology and trading firms. He replaces James W. McFarland, who led the institute from its founding in 2003 until his retirement in July 2018.

“Leading the Tulane Energy Institute represents a tremendous opportunity to enhance the university’s reputation as a preeminent source of energy research and expertise while better preparing our students for leadership roles with the next generation of energy and energy-related firms,” said Conner. “I couldn’t be happier to take on this exciting role.”

Conner holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in petroleum engineering, and an MBA with a concentration in finance, all from Tulane University. He is a member of the board of directors of the Choice Foundation and a past board chair of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

The Tulane Energy Institute was established to foster student interest and expertise in the energy industry and prepare graduates for positions in energy finance, risk management, trading and research analysis. The institute oversees the one-year Master of Management in Energy program and the energy specialization certificate program offered to both undergraduates and graduates. In addition, the institute coordinates a program of energy-related research.