Former Student, Houston-based Energy Leader Appointed To Foundation Board

The Texas A&M Foundation has announced that David Dunlap ’83, the energy executive who previously held leadership positions at BJ Services and Superior Energy Services, joined its Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2023. Dunlap, who resides in Houston, earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University in 1983.

“When I received the call about my nomination, I was incredibly humbled,” Dunlap said. “I try to actively give back to Texas A&M not just through my resources but also through my time and experience because I attribute much of my success to this university and the lessons I learned here. Serving on this board will allow me to do that in a powerful way. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

For Dunlap, Texas A&M and the oil and gas industry are family traditions. His father, Donald Dunlap ’58, and uncle, Wayne Dunlap ’51, both graduated from the university with engineering degrees and participated in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, inspiring David to follow in their footsteps during his time in Aggieland. Continuing their legacy in the Corps of Cadets, he joined the band outfit A-Battery and the Ross Volunteers, excelling in the honor guard as his father had two decades before. In 2018, Dunlap was inducted into the Corps Hall of Honor.

After graduation, Dunlap worked for BJ Services from 1984 to 2010, taking on various engineering, operations and management positions — including executive vice president and COO — before moving to Superior Energy Services, where he served as president and CEO until 2021. Throughout his career, Dunlap prioritized community service and industry involvement, participating in The Woodlands Children’s Museum Board, The John Cooper School’s Board of Trustees and the National Petroleum Council, among other advisory positions. In 2013, Ernest & Young presented him with the Transformational CEO Award for the United States Gulf Coast Area as part of its Entrepreneur of the Year awards program.

“David is the quintessential Aggie leader,” said Tyson Voelkel ’96, president and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation. “He’s a character-driven businessman who has proven time and time again his ability to make decisions and unite people toward a common goal. His passion for this university, decades of executive experience and deep relationships across campus make him a great addition to our board as we work together to build a brighter future for Texas A&M.”

Before his nomination to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dunlap served on the 12th Man Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the President’s Board of Visitors for the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, the College of Engineering Advisory Council and the Department of Petroleum Engineering Industry Board. The Dunlap Drill Field at the John D. White ’70 – Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center is named in his honor due to his generous support for the center’s construction. He and his wife, Anne, have six children, and four (Margaret ’11, Elizabeth ’18, Theresa ’22 and Mary ’22) have graduated from Texas A&M.

When asked about his personal goals as a trustee, Dunlap emphasized strengthening the student experience. “My passion for some time has been to make sure that Aggie students get every opportunity they can to really engage in the full leadership experience that Texas A&M offers,” he said. “We have a culture on this campus that produces graduates who have not only achieved academically but have also proven themselves as leaders outside the classroom. I want to help enhance those opportunities so that our students are even more prepared to lead in the public and private sectors.”

Dunlap replaces outgoing trustee Kathleen Gibson ’81, who served on the board from 2016 to 2023.