MDS Energy Development CEO Michael D. Snyder is a member of the Snyder family, which operates a successful and highly diversified family office with significant holdings in energy, banking and mining.
Founded in 1941 by brothers Chuck and Elmer Snyder, the Snyder Family Office got its start in coal and aggregate mining on the brothers’ property. Having never shed the Depression-era mentality of efficiency and vertical integration, it’s now one of the largest independent producers of natural gas in Pennsylvania.
The company has successfully sponsored 18 tax-advantaged oil & natural gas drilling partnerships, which have raised over $700 million dollars of outside investor capital.
Appalachian Drillers, sister company to MDS Energy Development, has previously drilled over 1,000 wells for MDS and operators such as Exxon-Mobil and EQT Corporation.
MDS investment partnerships are a powerful tax planning tool, allowing investors to participate directly in the ownership of oil & natural gas wells and reaping the tax benefits associated
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Having learned the oil and gas business from the inside out from his father David Snyder, Michael oversees the day-to-day operations of various MDS companies. He resides in Fox Chapel, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
Michael is an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys spending time with his young daughter.
Starting his career as a landman with MDS in 2007, Michael has since overseen the company’s land acquisition, public relations and government affairs departments.
Today the majority of his time is spent leading the company’s capital markets division.
He resides in Pittsburgh and holds FINRA Series 22, 39 and 63 licenses.
Michael Knapp is a Registered Representative of Cabin Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information see https://brokercheck.finra.org
Woody has more than 20 years of experience in the securities industry, coming to MDS from Catalyst Energy in 2015. He previously served with Texas Energy Holdings from 2009- 2010, Evergreen Realty Group from 2007-2009, and Wells Real Estate Funds from 2003-2006. Previously, he worked at Prudential Securities as a Vice President of Investments.
He oversees broker/dealer interactions, facilitates new selling agreements, and manages the third-party due diligence process for MDS investment partnerships.
Woody earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and math from George Mason University and holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. He currently resides in Huntington Beach, California.
Woody Soemantoro is a Registered Representative of Cabin Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information see https://brokercheck.finra.org
Shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from West Virginia University, Zach joined MDS in 2013 as an operational geologist. In 2017 he moved to the capital markets side of the company as an internal wholesaler. He was swiftly promoted to Executive Vice President of Investments, where he works with financial advisors and investors in the northeast part of the country. Zach holds FINRA Series 22 and 63 securities licenses, and currently resides in Pittsburgh with his wife and children.
Zach Avi is a Registered Representative of Cabin Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information see https://brokercheck.finra.org
A western Pennsylvania native, Rich began his career in 2004 with Exxon-Mobil as a reservoir and facilities engineer, working in Green River Basin, Wyoming, and on producing platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010 he was promoted to reservoir engineer supervisor, overseeing teams in East Texas and the mid-continent.
In 2013, he moved to lead the team developing Exxon-Mobil/Exxon’s annual corporate plan (around $5 billion capex) and then to the business development team where he evaluated and helped effectuate acquisitions in the Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford and Appalachian Basins, exceeding $6 billion. In 2017 he was promoted to Appalachia asset development manager, where he was responsible for the development of more than 600,000 acres and 1,600 planned wells. In 2018 he accepted a position with Range Resources as director of reservoir engineering.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in petroleum and natural gas engineering from Penn State University and resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
Richard Saadeh is a Registered Representative of Cabin Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information see https://brokercheck.finra.org
Randy has been with MDS since 2007. Prior work experience includes a position as an engineer for General Electric and as a field engineer specialist for Northrop Grumman. He oversaw the development of more than 130 MDS-operated wells and currently oversees the day-to-day operations of our field staff, while also managing the company’s legacy assets and governmental compliance.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Penn State University in 2004 and resides in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
Heather has served as the Vice President of Accounting and Corporate Secretary of the Managing General Partner and its affiliates since February 2020. Ms. Laney previously served as the Controller since February 2016, and prior to that as a Staff Accountant and Human Resources Manager beginning in June 2012. Previously, Ms. Laney worked as a Staff Accountant and Human Resources Manager for Falcon Drilling, LLC from June 2006 through May 2012. Ms. Laney received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in 2006.
Heather Farabaugh is a Registered Representative of Cabin Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information see https://brokercheck.finra.org