Company Overview

The Banks Group, originally ‘Banks Information Solutions’, was founded in 1982 by JB Bleckley to serve the growing information needs of the oil and gas and environmental industries. Primarily focused on data gathering, data dissemination and regulatory due diligence, Banks provides services ranging from mapping and document research to regulatory consulting services. Clients include oil and gas operators, environmental consulting/engineering firms, real estate developers, law firms and industrial corporations.

Our team of research and consulting professionals offer a broad range of experience including expertise in:

• The Texas Railroad Commission’s Inner Workings and Procedures
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS),
• Environmental Planning
• Environmental Resource management and Regulatory Analysis
• Executing Due Diligence Research through State and Federal Regulatory Agencies

Banks saves clients time and money by synthesizing site assessment information and delivering that information in the format most appropriate for each client’s needs.

For clients with more complex needs, Banks offers regulatory consulting services ranging from permit preparation and facilitation to government contract negotiations, litigation support and even expert testimony. Our relationship with regulatory authorities in the state of Texas in particular has been instrumental in helping clients negotiate the regulatory maze and expedite the process of due diligence.

For more information about the specific reports and services available through Banks, visit our Environmental Data services.

Management Team

JB Bleckley — President/CEO (jbleckley@banksinfo.com)

JB Bleckley, president of Banks Information Solutions, was born in Texas and couldn’t get back soon enough. After growing up in North Carolina, Bleckley graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. After college, he worked on the presidential campaign for Jimmy Carter and later was appointed to the Appalachian Regional Commission by the Carter Administration.

In the late 1970s, Bleckley moved back to Texas and began learning about the oil and gas business working for his father-in-law, Bud Mandell, owner of Sabio Oil and Gas. He served a stint in oil field equipment sales for Sovereign Supply before forming his own company, Banks Petroleum Reporting Services, in 1982. For the past 23 years, Bleckley has grown Banks into a full-service consulting, research and data dissemination firm, serving the needs of both the oil and gas and environmental industries.

Trace Hight — Vice President of Sales & Marketing (traceh@banksinfo.com)

Trace Hight joined The Banks Group in 2001 as the Director of Sales and has since grown into the current position of Vice President. In his role, Trace is responsible for consulting and advising on the overall business strategy and execution of the company’s goals and mission in addition to driving sales and client management for each of the divisions of the company.

Some of the duties that Trace has performed for The Banks Group over the years include:

• Sales of environmental data and research for Phase I Site Assessments and other due diligence requirements
• Oil & Gas consulting for traditional E&P projects and Commercial Saltwater Disposal Wells
• Acquisition & Divestiture advisory services of producing petroleum properties
• Business development for a wide array of customized GIS applications & services

Trace has also been involved in the following professional associations, organizations, and groups: ASTM Committee E-50, Texas Association Environmental Professionals, National Association of Environmental Professionals, Industry Council on the Environment, Environmental Bankers Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Independent Producers Association of America, Texas Oil & Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Austin Petroleum Exploration Society, Young Professionals in Energy, and The Rotary Club of Austin.

A lifelong resident of Austin, Trace graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communication.

Away from the office, Trace and his wife Ashley have 2 sons, Harrison and Jackson, as well as a dog named Lily. Trace is also an avid UT sports fan and enjoys spending time outdoors fishing on the Texas coast, bird hunting, and playing golf when time allows.

Joe Gonzalez – Vice President of Oil and Gas  (joeg@banksinfo.com)

In June of 2006 Joe Gonzalez began service as Vice President of Banks Information Solutions. Prior to 2006 he served as Director of Services for Banks Information Solutions since 1997. Gonzalez oversees the management of the oil and gas division.  He is also responsible for the administration of all research projects for Banks oil and gas clients. He specializes in compliance reviews and audits, due diligence, investigative file research, toxic-tort litigation research and support, multi-state file research, federal agency file research and professional liaison services.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Gonzalez moved to the New York and New Jersey area where he obtained his degree in government from Richard Stockton College just outside of Atlantic City, New Jersey. After moving back to Texas in 1991, Gonzalez worked for the Texas House of Representatives and then the Texas Railroad Commission, where he obtained the base of his oil and gas knowledge.

Chris Tinsley – CFO (ctinsley@banksinfo.com)

Chris Tinsley joined The Banks Group in 1999.  Recruited by Banks to perform oil and gas research, Chris soon found himself directing the Environmental Division. During his tenure at Banks, Chris has overseen numerous departments within the Environmental Division; including environmental research, historical aerials, city directory research, and chain of title departments. Chris has been instrumental in the development and delivery of the full product line offered by Banks’ Environmental and Oil and Gas Divisions.

In 2008, Chris was promoted to Chief Financial Officer after serving for two years as Director of Finance and Operations.

Chris has spent his entire life around the Austin, Texas area. He spends his free time with his wife Kristine, two children (Alyson and Caleb) and their two dogs.