PennWell Books is supported by an advisory board of experienced energy professionals, educators, authors, and industry leaders. Their expertise helps us identify important industry topics, evaluate publishing opportunities, and ensure our publications continue to serve the needs of professionals across the industries we cover.
Our Advisors
Tim Coburn
Dr. Tim Coburn is a Professor of Systems Engineering and faculty member of the Energy Institute at Colorado State University. He previously served as Director of the School of Energy Economics, Policy and Commerce at The University of Tulsa and as Professor of Energy and Operations Management.
His work spans energy analysis, statistics, policy, and strategic energy research. He has served on the Energy Statistics Committee of the American Statistical Association, advised the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and collaborated with energy research organizations in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Coburn holds a PhD in Statistics and Industrial Engineering and an MS in Statistics from Oklahoma State University, as well as a BS in Mathematics and Physics from Abilene Christian University.
William L. Leffler
Dr. William L. Leffler is a petroleum industry author and consultant best known for PennWell's Nontechnical Language series. His books address petroleum refining, petrochemicals, deepwater exploration and production, natural gas liquids, pipelines, and oil and gas production.
Following service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Leffler spent 36 years working in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries in the United States and internationally. He later taught university and corporate courses covering upstream, downstream, and petrochemical operations while continuing his writing career.
He earned a BS from MIT and an MBA and PhD from New York University.
Thomas Miesner
Thomas “Tom” Miesner spent more than 25 years at Conoco Pipeline, retiring in 2003 as President. During his career, he served as Chairman of the Association of Oil Pipelines and Chairman of the Board of Explorer Pipeline Company.
After retiring from Conoco, Tom founded a consulting firm serving midstream oil and gas clients and became a widely recognized industry instructor. He has taught more than 175 classes to over 3,000 professionals and developed more than 25 midstream training courses.
He is the author of Local Distribution Pipelines in Nontechnical Language and the first and second editions of Oil & Gas Pipelines in Nontechnical Language. He holds a BS in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri–Rolla.
Visit Pipeline Knowledge
Tom Seng
Dr. Tom Seng is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Energy Finance at Texas Christian University's Ralph Lowe Energy Institute in the Neeley School of Business. He previously served as Mervin Bovaird Professor of Energy Business and Director of the School of Energy Economics, Policy & Commerce at The University of Tulsa.
With more than 30 years of experience in the natural gas and NGL industries, Dr. Seng's expertise includes commodity trading, risk management, pipeline and midstream operations, and transportation and storage marketing.
He holds degrees from the State University of New York, Robert Gordon University, and Maryville University and is the author of Energy Trading & Hedging: A Nontechnical Guide.
Robert “Bob” Tippee
Bob Tippee is an energy writer and oil and gas industry analyst who spent 42 years on the Oil & Gas Journal editorial staff, including 20 years as editor-in-chief. Beginning in 1981, he authored the magazine's weekly editorials and later wrote its long-running The Editor's Perspective column.
A journalism graduate of the University of Tulsa, Bob also served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He is an alumnus and occasional lecturer at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies and has received numerous awards for his energy-industry commentary and analysis.
Frank Viscuso
Frank Viscuso is a retired deputy fire chief and best-selling author of seven books on leadership, team development, and customer service. He is the author of It's Time to Step Up! Leadership Lessons from the Fire Service.
An internationally recognized speaker, Frank delivers leadership training across emergency services, professional athletics, healthcare, sales organizations, and corporate teams. His keynotes, seminars, and books focus on developing effective leaders and building motivated, high-performing teams.
Visit Common Valor
Paul Westervelt
Paul Westervelt joined PennWell in 1999 and held a variety of leadership roles, including Publisher of PennWell Books. He retired in 2023 as Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore, Subsea Tieback Forum, Deepwater Operations, and Topsides.
Throughout his career, Paul worked with technically advanced energy audiences around the world and led publishing, media, and event businesses serving the oil and gas industry.
He holds a BS in Radio, TV, and Film Management from Oklahoma State University and an MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary.