OUR TEAM
We are a Dallas, Texas - based investment office built on trust and well informed decision making with over 70 years of combined experience spanning energy and real estate industries.
BRANDON BENSON
Founder and Principal
Brandon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pepperdine University in 2002, and a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University - Dedman School of Law in 2006. Brandon began his career litigating disputes and negotiating oil and gas leases in the Barnett Shale as an associate with Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP; and, then worked for the Texas General Land Office as in-house counsel. In 2011, he transitioned to Dorchester Minerals as Manager of Land and Legal.
​
In 2013, Brandon founded Source Minerals, and soon thereafter, began raising limited partner funds focused on acquiring minerals and working interests in the Midland Basin. In 2017, Brandon co-founded Source Energy Partners with a capital commitment from Oaktree Capital Management, and built a Permian Basin mineral position totaling approximately 30,000 net royalty acres. In 2021, Source Energy Partners divested the majority of those assets to Desert Peak Minerals. Over his career, Brandon has invested over $250M in minerals and working interests across the Permian Basin and East Texas. Brandon leads all energy investments for FifthPeak.
CAROLYN BENSON
Founder
Carolyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science summa cum laude from Aurora University in Illinois in 2004, and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Southern Methodist University - Dedman School of Law in 2008.
As one of the founding partners of Sheppard Mullin’s Dallas office, Carolyn specialized in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and asset management. Carolyn brings 13 years of real estate experience to the FifthPeak team, and gets excited by two parties moving forward together to get a deal done. Carolyn prioritizes diversity and inclusion at FifthPeak, from the people we work with to the projects we work on and the commitments we make in our community. Carolyn leads all real estate investments for FifthPeak.
CASIE QUINTTUS
Vice President of Business Development
Casie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Oklahoma, with special distinction. She helped lead the technical transition of WPX Energy’s acquisition of RKI Exploration. Casie has also evaluated marketed and non-marketed deals of all sizes in the Haynesville, Midland Basin, and SCOOP/STACK.
Her 13 year career in oil and gas is motivated by a desire to advocate for fair asset valuation and treatment of the communities where oil and gas companies operate. At FifthPeak, Casie will identify opportunities and lead the technical evaluation for all acquisitions and divestitures.
Casie brings adaptability, the ability to work with large data sets, and the ability to create efficient workflows to quickly evaluate deals. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with my family and friends in Oklahoma and Ohio.
DESTINY ARTEAGA
Vice President of Reservoir Engineering
Destiny graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a her Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. After graduation, her work with Range Resources focused on acquisitions and divestitures of assets in several major oil and gas plays across the United State. Destiny specializes in modeling, forecasting, research and analysis of oil and gas assets.
Outside of work, Destiny enjoys trail hiking with her cat and dogs, and refurbishing her self-sustaining tiny home on wheels. She has a passion for improving an orphanage in Tanzania.
CATHERINE LEE
Land Analyst
Catherine’s background in the hospitality industry enables her to be a helpful and personable asset to the Fifth Peak team. Catherine brings resilience, patience, reliability and loyalty to the team. Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time with her family.
RHONDA THOMAS
Director of Administration
Rhonda worked at Locke Purnell Rain Harrell for 37 years before being recruited by Brandon to Source Minerals.
She has spent the past 17 years in the energy industry. On a daily basis, Rhonda keeps track of revenue statements, accounts payable, insurance, accounting & human resources. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys spending time with family, traveling and reading.