(469) 726-2222
Ralph Curton, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
For the past four decades, Mr. Curton acquired and assembled more than 50,000 acres of oil and gas leases and participated in over 300 commercially successful gas wells across Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas. Mr. Curton began his oil and gas career in 1976 as the owner of a private natural gas company in the fields of East Texas. There he helped pioneer the discovery and exploration of the Cotton Valley Oak Hill oilfield, a low-risk, technology-sensitive play covering several hundred square miles.
He is previous director on the board of the Amarillo-based EnergyNet.com, the world’s largest internet auction platform for oil and gas properties.
While Mr. Curton made his name with the Lone Star State’s most famous export, he enjoyed considerable success with its favorite import as well. In 1975, he and partner Les Kroger beat out 500 other applicants to win the rights to distribute Coors beer in 13 counties across East Texas. He later sold his full interest to Mr. Kroger to refocus on oil and gas interests and other endeavors that included real estate, manufacturing and distribution.
Ralph also has been active in the development and management of multi-family housing. He and his partners developed 5 large projects in Texas and New Mexico and managed over 5,000 units.
Mr. Curton actively supports numerous charitable organizations and is active in state and national politics. He attended the University of Washington in Seattle and Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he majored in finance and business administration.
Jeffrey Van Putten
President and Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Curton and Mr. Van Putten have been friends and business partners since 1990 when they first worked together on an East Texas natural gas project. Jeffrey brings more than 30-years business experience to Bancroft and is responsible for managing the transactions between clients and projects. He has been a part of many enterprises through the years and understands the ups and downs of business ownership and financing. His entrepreneurial spirit has always been a driving force, whether it was starting his first business of washing boats at 11 years old, funding start-up companies, running a small oil and gas firm, or investing in various ventures.
For more than ten years Jeffrey headed Consolidated Capital Group, a firm that managed capital raises for several small cap companies; brought numerous companies from inception to the NASDAQ Bulletin Board for trading and provided Investor Relations and marketing for 25 plus actively traded companies. He was an integral part of the management teams providing insights and solutions to these young companies in daily activities as well as financial structuring.
In addition to currently managing/owning multiple industrial properties, consulting and coaching, Jeffrey is active in supporting several non-profits including serving on their boards.