Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Ben began running Cosmo Energy, a minerals and royalty company, in 2010. He is a second-generation oil and gas investor and has spent the past 15 years acquiring and managing millions of dollars’ worth of minerals and royalties using personal funds. Ben believes in a contrarian view to oil and gas investing, targeting overlooked and undervalued assets that other buyers overlook. Ben has used this approach to take Cosmo Energy from a family startup to a high-end mineral buying firm that owns and manages over seven thousand net royalty acers across many of the premier basins around the country. Ben graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law and is a Licensed Attorney in the state of Oklahoma.

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

James joined Cosmo Energy in 2014 as a Petroleum Engineer and was promoted to Vice President in 2021. His technical background has enabled a unique career path in the minerals sector of the oil and gas industry, a space traditionally dominated by non-technical professionals. In his early years, he focused on developing mineral evaluation tools, evaluation methodologies, and management systems, laying a solid foundation for his continued success. Leveraging his engineering expertise, he has driven growth and innovation within Cosmo and has demonstrated strong capital discipline. He remains actively involved in the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers, where he serves on the board of directors for the national organization.

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Jordan joined Cosmo Energy in 2018 as a Geologist and quickly expanded his responsibilities beyond the technical realm. He now serves as Director of A&D, where he evaluates all investment and divestment opportunities. In addition, he manages the company’s reserves, monthly revenue projections, and all reporting required to support company operations. Jordan earned his Master’s degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Oklahoma. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including NARO, SPEE, RMAG, and AAPG, where he contributes to continuing education initiatives. Jordan is a NARO Registered Mineral Manager and currently serves as the president of the NARO Rocky Mountain Chapter. He has also been a guest speaker for NARO and the University of Oklahoma.

VP of Business Development

Todd C. Barnes is a business development leader with extensive experience driving organizational growth through strategic leadership, relationship development, and team building. Prior to joining Stratum EP, Todd served as Vice President of Trilogy, where he played a key role in scaling the organization and leading high-performing teams focused on long-term business development and customer growth. Earlier in his career, he held successful sales and territory management roles within leading healthcare organizations, including the neuromodulation divisions of St. Jude Medical and Boston Scientific. Todd earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Studies from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned two varsity football letters after walking on in 1995. His background reflects a blend of leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to developing strong partnerships that create lasting value.