The principal of the firm, J. W. Brown, formed Premier in August, 1991 to continue the platform originally developed as the founder of Wes-Al Capital, an investment banking firm of which the late William E. Simon, former Secretary of the Treasurer, and Alvin V. Shoemaker, former Chairman of the Board of First Boston were also partners. Wes-Al Capital assisted in the identification and building a number of successful energy related ventures for Messrs Simon and Shoemaker as well as assisting other independents in the energy sector.
Prior to the formation of Wes-Al Capital, Mr. Brown was directly involved in the oil and gas business through private companies which he formed and was actively involved in the practice of law focused on oil and gas matters both in his own legal practice and as General Counsel of May Petroleum, Inc. a Dallas based independent.
From 1991 through 2000, Premier completed in excess of 35 separate transactions involving approximately $350 million. The transactions included a broad range of activities from project finance to the identification and negotiation of strategic growth property and company acquisitions.
In late 2000 and early 2001, Premier was inactive as Mr. Brown joined the Dallas office of EnCap Investments and then helped found the southwest energy office of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. in late 2001. In May, 2003, Mr. Brown left FBR to re-activate Premier and return to the focus on smaller energy companies and opportunities in the energy industry.
Mr. Brown is joined by Shelia Penn, an Administrative Assistant who has been associated with Mr. Brown from 1986 at Wes-Al Capital. Engineering and other technical assistance are contracted on an as needed basis.
