Brooks Yates, CPL

Brooks Yates, CPL, is owner of Yates Resources, LP participating in oil and gas projects across all southern states as well as others outside that area for over thirty years. Yates spent over 15 years as vice president of land at Ventex Oil & Gas Inc. During the 1990s, he was land manager for The Rudman Partnership. A native of Mississippi and an alumnus of The University of Mississippi, Yates began his career in the oil and gas business as a landman in various land roles with Hunt Energy Corp. and Placid Oil Co. in the 1980s before being moved to Shreveport and ultimately Dallas.

A member of AAPL since 1985, Yates served on the Executive Committee as president in 2023-24, first vice president during 2022-23, treasurer during 2010-11, spent three terms as a director and chaired multiple committees, including the NAPE Operators Committee, NAPE Advisory Board, Southwest Land Institute, Publications Committee and Marketing Committee. He also previously served on the AAPL Investment Advisory Board, Legislative and Regulatory Committee and Ethics Committee. Yates earned his CPL designation in 1991.

Yates is a longtime member of the Houston Association of Professional Landmen, the Ark-La-Tex Association of Professional Landmen and the Dallas Association of Petroleum Landmen, where he served as president in 1992 and 2008 and was named Landman of the Year in 2009 and 2021. The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association included him among the Texas Top Producers in 2013.

In addition, Yates served as president of the Dallas Producers Club in 2021 and 2022, a member of the Dallas Wildcatters board and chairman of the Southwest Land Institute, a position he has held since 2014. He also is listed as a Founding Advisory Committee member of the University of Texas Energy Management Program and is a founding member of the Texas Alliance of Landman Associations.

Yates lives in Dallas with wife Linda. Married for 37 years, they have been active members of Highland Park Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon and on various committees. They have three children and soon to be five grandchildren.