Mark A. Stansberry

Mark A. Stansberry is an American entrepreneur and energy leader. Stansberry is an author, film producer, musician, higher education leader and encaustic artist, and columnist, based in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is known for his work in the energy industry, documentary film production, higher education leadership, and creative fields including music and encaustic art. Stansberry is the founder of the International Energy Policy Conference and has served in leadership roles across academic, nonprofit, and cultural organizations.

Energy Industry Career

Stansberry has worked as an energy advisor, corporate strategist, and public commentator on global energy issues. In 1992-2012 he founded the International Energy Policy Conference, an annual forum that brought together leaders from the oil and gas industry, government, academia, and finance to discuss energy policy and market trends. He has also served as host of the National Energy Talk podcast, where he interviews energy leaders and policymakers on topics related to global energy development and policy. Stansberry is the author of six books on energy and policy, including America Needs America’s Energy, which addresses the role of domestic energy production in economic and national security.

Early Life and Education

Stansberry graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 1977. He later became involved with the university as a trustee/life trustee for 20 years. Over time, he has participated in advisory roles and leadership initiatives supporting higher education institutions across the United States.

Higher Education Leadership

Stansberry previously served as a regent and chairman of the board of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO), which oversees six regional public universities (UCO, NSU, NWOSU, SWOSU, SEOSU and ECU) in Oklahoma. Stansberry served as the RUSO regents chair for three one-year terms. During his tenure he supported initiatives focused on student success metrics and institutional performance tracking.

He was appointed to the RUSO board of regents by Governor Keating (Served from 2001-2010 term) and by Governor Fallin (served 2015-2019 term). Governor Henry Bellman appointed Mark Stansberry to the USAO board of regents serving from 1988-1993. He served as USAO board chair from 1990-1991.

He has also served on advisory boards or committees for several universities, including:

-University of Oklahoma

-Oklahoma State University

-Pepperdine University

-Harding University

-University of Tulsa

Stansberry currently serves as a Life Trustee of Oklahoma Christian University and has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. He has also participated in presidential search committees and higher-education strategy initiatives for various universities.

Film and Media Production

Stansberry is an Emmy Award nominated film producer and co-founder of GrayMark Productions with Gray Frederickson, an Academy Award–winning producer.

His documentary and film work focuses primarily on historical and energy-related subjects.

Selected Filmography

-Sherwood Forest: Top Secret (2022)

-The Grand Energy Transition (2012)

-Trail End (2009)

Board Service and Nonprofit Leadership

Stansberry has held leadership positions in several nonprofit and cultural public and corporate organizations.

These roles have included:

-Board of Directors of publicly-traded PostRock Energy Corporations, 2007-2014

-Board of Trustees and Board of Regents at The Fund for American Studies

-Chairman of the board at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and its Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 2016 & 2017

-Stansberry served on the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy/Grammys, 2015 & 2016.

-Chairman of the 2007 Governor’s International Team, (Governor Henry).

-Chairman of the Oklahoma Centennial Energy Events, 2007 for separate events and Whitehouse Centennial celebration.

Music career

Stansberry is a singer-songwriter whose music is primarily associated with the Americana and country genres. His recordings often feature collaborations with his family, particularly Nancy Stansberry.

He has also released singles including Jump for Joy (2018) and Hollywood Music in Media Award-nominated song La La La Da (2017).

Art

Stansberry is also an encaustic abstract artist, an ancient technique that combines beeswax and resin applied with heat.

His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums, including the Encaustic Art Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where one of his works was part of the museum’s collection.

Stansberry’s work was selected for the juried exhibition A Survey of Contemporary Encaustic at the Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario, California.

Honors and Recognition

Stansberry received the Order of the Clock Tower (2019), the highest honor awarded by the University of Central Oklahoma, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to education and public service.

-Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame (2009)

-Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame (2021)

-Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame (2022)

-Producer of Sherwood Forest: Top Secret (2023), Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame

For more information, visit www.markstansberry.com