Thursday, April 25, 2024 Apr 25, 2024
73° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Dallas 500

Meet the Dallas 500: Jack Lafield

The Caiman Energy chairman discusses scuba diving and dreams of New Zealand.
|
Image
Shutterstock

Jack Lafield has survived decades of ups and downs in the oil and gas industry. “Losing all one’s equity in a company that you spent years developing is difficult to rebound from,” he says. “It happened twice in my career.” Today, he’s on solid footing as chairman of Caiman Energy, which focuses on Ohio’s Utica Shale and beyond.

Education:
Stanford University (EMBA), Texas A&M University (BS-Chemical Engineering)

First Job:
“I was a bus boy at the cafeteria in the Pentagon, where my father worked. I learned to make sure I was on time and to stay busy.” 

Who I Admire:
“My father. He taught me how to remain honest and keep your integrity while dealing with life’s challenges.”

What Keeps Me Up at Night:
“The poor, or the lack of, decisions made by our representatives in Washington.”

Lesson Learned:
“Stay true to your word. Relationships will follow.”

Car I Drive:
“2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo”

Advice to an 18-Year-Old Me:
“Follow your passion. Strive to find a business you’ll have fun with in life.”

How I Motivate Others:
“I try to work harder than they do and put them in a position to achieve success doing what they like to do.”

Fun Fact:
“I played the French horn (first chair) in junior high school.” 

Scary Moment:
“A deep scuba dive off the North Wall in the Cayman Islands.”

Proud Moments:
“When I married my wife 37 years ago at the Napa County Courthouse, and when my daughter was commissioned as a Naval Officer.” 

Favorite Movies:
“Doctor Zhivago and Out of Africa”

Hobby/Passion:
“Boating with my wife and family, snow skiing, and golf all rate about equal.” 

Who’d Play Me in a Biopic:
“Jimmy Stewart. I know he’s gone, but I don’t really have a favorite now.” 

Bucket List:
“I’d like to visit New Zealand.”


This Q&A is extended content from the Dallas 500, a special edition produced by D CEO that profiles the region’s most influential business leaders. Visit www.dallas500.com for details.

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

VideoFest Lives Again Alongside Denton’s Thin Line Fest

Bart Weiss, VideoFest’s founder, has partnered with Thin Line Fest to host two screenings that keep the independent spirit of VideoFest alive.
Image
Local News

Poll: Dallas Is Asking Voters for $1.25 Billion. How Do You Feel About It?

The city is asking voters to approve 10 bond propositions that will address a slate of 800 projects. We want to know what you think.
Image
Basketball

Dallas Landing the Wings Is the Coup Eric Johnson’s Committee Needed

There was only one pro team that could realistically be lured to town. And after two years of (very) middling results, the Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention delivered.
Advertisement