Dr. Bates serves as Independent Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hercules Offshore Inc., a leading provider of offshore contract drilling, liftboat and inland barge services with operations spanning the globe. He has held executive positions at numerous energy companies including Managing Director and Senior Advisor at Lime Rock Management LP, an energy-focused private equity firm; President of the Discovery Group, Baker Hughes Incorporated, an oilfield services company; President and Chief Executive Officer of Weatherford Enterra, Inc., an oilfield services company; President of Anadrill , Schlumberger Limited, an oilfield services company; and Vice President of Sedco Forex, Schlumberger. Dr. Bates earned his Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Michigan, and has been an Adjunct Professor with the Neeley School of Business at TCU since January 2011.