SYNTAL TEAM

Managing Director and Co-Founder

Chad Clary is a Managing Director and Co-Founder of Syntal Capital Partners. Chad leads Syntal’s investment committee, designing customized portfolios to help clients deploy, preserve, and grow their wealth effectively. He combines in-depth knowledge of the oil & gas industry with capital markets expertise, helping clients pursue their objectives in a thoughtful manner, mindful of risk, tax, and wealth-transfer considerations. Chad enjoys developing long-term relationships with clients and their family members, demonstrating his deep-seated interest in their lives and well-being.

Chad has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors since 1998. Prior to forming Syntal Capital Partners, he was a Private Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President – Investments within the Private Banking & Investment Group (PBIG) at Merrill Lynch. Chad began his career with Prudential Securities. In 2004, he attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained the Certified Investment Manager Analyst (CIMA®) designation from the Investment Manager Consultants Associate (IMCA).

A native Texan, Chad lives in Midland with his wife and their four children. In his free time, he enjoys different hobbies including hunting, fishing, martial arts, and working out.

Managing Director and Co-Founder

Dane Crunk is a Managing Director and Co-Founder of Syntal Capital Partners. Dane works closely with energy entrepreneurs and their family members, helping them simplify the complexities they encounter in managing and stewarding their personal and professional wealth. A born problem-solver, Dane relishes the opportunity to help clients make sound decisions and enact prudent strategies to pursue long-term success as they define it. He serves as Syntal’s Managing Partner, striving to deliver the finest caliber of strategy and service to the team’s boutique clientele.

Dane has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors since 1999. Prior to forming Syntal Capital Partners, he served as a Private Wealth Advisor within the Private Banking & Investment Group (PBIG) at Merrill Lynch.  He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, where he obtained his B.B.A. in Finance. In 2007, he attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained the Certified Investment Manager Analyst (CIMA®) designation from the Investment Manager Consultants Associate (IMCA). He is also a Certified Financial Planner^TM professional (CFP®).

Born and raised in West Texas, Dane lives in Midland with his wife Sally and their five children. He enjoys activities that support his love for his God, country, family and the great outdoors.

Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

Robert Carlyon is the COO and Chief Compliance Officer for Syntal Capital Partners. He works closely with the team’s advisors and associates to enact detailed processes to optimize the client experience at Syntal. As a veteran leader in wealth management, Robert applies in-depth knowledge and expertise to support the team’s fiduciary standard, partnering with advisors to respond effectively to client needs. He also oversees Syntal’s compliance, operations, and technology initiatives.  A keen proponent of organizational development, Robert enjoys helping team members build upon their collective talents to generate enhanced outcomes for clients.

Robert has extensive experience in wealth management, business management, and leadership development. He began his career in 1990 as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Colorado Springs. He held advisory and management roles for more than two decades at Merrill Lynch, serving as an Administrative Manager and Resident Director for markets in the Western and Southern United States before joining Syntal in 2013. Robert attended Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, where he studied mine safety and industrial safety.

Senior Vice President / Client Operations

Raquel Padilla oversees the client service experience at Syntal. She has particular depth meeting the needs of high-net-worth families, applying her extensive experience in wealth management operations and account administration.

Raquel began her financial services career in 2002 at Merrill Lynch, where she was a Registered Client Associate. She served as the Midland Merrill Lynch Branch Chief Operations Control and Cashier for four years before joining Dane Crunk and Chad Clary in 2006 within the Private Banking and Investment Group. Recognized as the “Best of Texas” in 2010 at Merrill Lynch for her client service, Raquel prides herself on building strong client relationships that are grounded in exceptional care and responsiveness.

Raquel and her husband, Joe Louis, have three children: Kristian, Kaitlyn, and John Ethan. Born and raised in Midland, Raquel continues to be very active in the community. She has volunteered with Meals on Wheels for more than ten years, has held a number of leadership roles with St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and supports other local area organizations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and participating in community service activities.

Assistant Vice President / Client Relationship Manager & Trading Analyst

Cade Jones is a key contributor to Syntal’s trading, portfolio, and client relationship management efforts, tackling a range of duties to help clients achieve their investment objectives. As a member of the Syntal Investment Committee, Cade assists in the smooth functioning of the Firm’s asset management initiatives. His areas of focus include fund and account management, trade oversight and execution, portfolio design and maintenance, asset allocation, risk modeling, investment research, and operations.

Cade also serves as an Advisor and Client Relationship Manager at Syntal. In this capacity, he provides tailored financial advice and guidance to individuals, couples, and families, helping them deploy their wealth more thoughtfully and pursue their goals more efficiently. He collaborates with the wider Syntal team to design customized wealth strategies that align with each client’s priorities, needs, and values. Diligent and reliable, Cade is gratified to help clients gain peace of mind and regain precious free time, knowing that their financial affairs are in the hands of an experienced and trustworthy team.

Cade earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Texas Tech University. He holds the Registered Investment Advisory Representative (IAR) designation and the Series 65 license.

Born and raised in Midland, Cade is proud to advise in his home city. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family, his girlfriend, and his two dogs. His hobbies also include playing and watching sports, working out, and learning to play the piano.

Vice President – Family Office Services

Courtney Kelley develops deep and enduring relationships with Syntal’s Family Office clients, helping them resolve the complexities that significant wealth can pose. Attuned to each client’s priorities, Courtney offers a highly customized approach that reflects the nuances of each client’s situation. She takes great satisfaction in making clients’ lives simpler, easier, and more efficient, adding precious free time to their schedules. Courtney also appreciates the importance of wealth transfer across generations, helping wealth creators cultivate strong stewardship in their children and grandchildren.

Courtney holds a number of responsibilities within Syntal’s Family Office. Her areas of focus include assisting with estate-planning strategies, tax coordination, facilitation of legal matters, entity structure, business forecasting, and financial-statement preparation. She understands both the demands and the opportunities of significant wealth, striving to provide clients with greater peace of mind in the management of their financial affairs. In parallel with these responsibilities, Courtney oversees Syntal’s Back Office functions, contributing to the team’s smooth operations. Dedicated to professional excellence, she is proud of the high-achieving culture at the firm.

Prior to joining Syntal in 2016, Courtney served as a Tax Accountant for Johnson, Miller & Company. She earned her B.B.A. in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, and her M.P.Ac., Master of Professional Accountancy, from Angelo State University. Originally from Midland, Courtney offers extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry, heightening her ability to anticipate client needs.

Courtney and her husband, Kolten, reside in Greenwood with their young daughter, Landry. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family and stays active by keeping up with her daughter.

After Jayton’s blessed birth:
Courtney and her husband, Kolten, reside in Greenwood with their young daughter, Landry, and baby boy, Jayton. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family and stays active by keeping up with her children.

Trade Support Analyst/Operations Support

Jake Walton provides analytical support for Syntal’s trading initiatives, applying his quantitative skills and diligent work ethic to help advance client aims. His responsibilities include creating and implementing asset-allocation models, designing customized client reports, performing economic and market research, and running factor analyses. Jake works in concert with Chad Clary and Cade Jones to address complex client investment needs, combining in-depth research and analysis with seamless execution.

Prior to joining Syntal, Jake served as a Title Analyst with the Title Arbitrage Group, an Oil & Gas start-up. He earned his B.S. in Economics from Texas A&M University.

During his free time, Jake enjoys playing sports and spending time outdoors.

Ranch Manager

Brad Barington serves as the Ranch Manager for Syntal. Committed to the highest standards of quality and innovation, Brad oversees a number of ranch and wildlife management functions. His areas of expertise include animal health, ranch development, brush clearing, high fence and water gap construction, heavy equipment operation, and road repair.

Having spent fourteen years with a state-of-the-art deer breeding facility, Brad is also adept in vaccinating, laparoscopy and transcervical artificial insemination, and the collection of DNA and CWD samples. Knowledgeable about whitetail deer and exotics, he is experienced in designing layouts for pen and darting facilities. He also has significant experience in guiding hunts, as well as caping and scoring trophy animals.

Born and raised in East Texas, Brad grew up as an avid hunter, fisherman, and athlete. He earned a baseball scholarship at Angelina College, where he studied Business and Electronics. Shortly thereafter, he began working as a Millwright Electrician for International Paper, where he devoted 21 years. In 2004, Brad hung up his mechanical electrician hat and moved to the ranch industry, where he quickly found his passion. For more than fifteen years, he has managed deer-breeding facilities, consulted on hunts, and served as a volunteer firefighter and swift-water-rescue team member.

Brad is married to his high school sweetheart, Carol. They have one son.

Family Office Associate – Ranch and Wildlife

Carol Barington serves as the Family Office Associate for Ranch and Wildlife at Syntal. Working in concert with her husband, Brad Barington, Carol provides clients with resources, timelines, and solutions to adhere to state regulations and reporting for wildlife management.

Deeply knowledgeable about the provisions of Texas Parks and Wildlife and Land Management Assistance, Carol supports clients in addressing a range of needs, including annual herd inventory, CWD reporting, filing of DNA paperwork, transfer permits, and harvest log administration. Resourceful and diligent, she is also skilled in helping clients locate high-quality genetics to enhance their ranch operations.

Born and raised in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas, Carol has more than 15 years of experience in Ranch and Wildlife Management. Her background includes 14 years with a state-of-the-art deer breeding facility, where she learned all aspects of deer management and regulatory compliance.

Carol and her husband Brad have one son.

Family Office Associate – Administrative Assistant

Ashleigh Sparks contributes to the client experience in multiple ways at Syntal, from supporting Family Office functions to streamlining processes within Trading and Operations. A strong collaborator, Ashleigh lends her assistance to clients and colleagues alike, cementing her role as a vital member of the team.

Ashleigh’s areas of focus include trade support and analysis, account administration, team communications, document processing and management, event planning, and logistics. A skilled problem-solver, she is gratified to make clients’ financial lives easier by serving as a “go-to” resource for a variety of needs. Ashleigh also offers forward-looking ideas, applying the knowledge she has gained from her studies to enhance her professional impact at Syntal, adding to the team’s outreach and effectiveness.

Originally from Midland, Ashleigh is a graduate of Lee High School and attended Midland College before pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She has held a number of client-facing roles throughout her career, heightening her ability to deliver an outstanding client experience, grounded in diligence and responsiveness.

Ashleigh enjoys spending time with her husband, Grant. A long-time member of Stonegate Fellowship, she has taken part in both domestic and international mission trips. Ashleigh has also served as a Young Life leader, both in Midland and at UTSA. In her free time, she enjoys attending local political functions and participating in area events.

Family Office Analyst

Becky Lang serves as a key point of client contact within Syntal’s Family Office Division, helping ultra-high-net-worth clients streamline their financial affairs and regain precious time in their schedules. She holds a number of responsibilities on the team, including document analysis and retention, accounts payable and receivable, deposits and transfers, account reconciliation, and meeting coordination. Highly organized, Becky facilitates effective collaboration with a client’s external tax and legal advisors, advancing steady momentum on shared priorities.

Clients look to Becky as a reliable resource for any administrative or operational need. A committed listener, she serves as a warm and welcoming presence who is able to pinpoint solutions, working in concert with the members of the Syntal team. In an era of automated phone systems, Becky also provides clients with a trusted voice who answers her phone and returns calls promptly, providing the immediacy that clients deserve. If Becky cannot uncover a solution directly, she is skilled in tracking down answers, keeping clients apprised of her progress on their behalf.

Prior to joining Syntal, Becky spent 20 years with West Texas Urology in Midland, where she specialized in practice administration and operations. As a Practice Administrator, she was responsible for team communications, contract facilitation, employee management, accounts payable and receivable, and scheduling. Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, Becky honed her ability to oversee momentum on multiple priorities, contributing to the practice’s success.

Raised in Midland, Becky is proud to have put down roots in her home community. She and her husband, Brandon, have a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Ashlyn, who are active in sports and school events, making for busy weekends at the Lang household.

Director – Family Office Services & Client Relationship Manager

Katie Russell is the Director of Syntal’s Family Office Services and a Client Relationship Manager. She works closely with ultra-high-net-worth families, as well as their tax and legal intermediaries, helping them unify and streamline multiple facets of their personal and professional wealth. A Certified Public Accountant, Katie offers a tax-sensitive approach to clients’ investments, wealth-transfer initiatives, and philanthropic interests, uncovering a more efficient path to their goals and aspirations.

An attentive listener and resolute problem solver, Katie begins each relationship by gaining a deep understanding of a client’s situation. Analytically skilled, she offers a thoughtful approach to the opportunities and challenges that significant wealth can pose. Katie works in concert with senior members of the firm to uncover possible efficiencies on both sides of a client’s balance sheet. She looks to make clients’ financial lives simpler and easier, restoring precious free time to their schedules and providing them with focused attention. In addition, Katie is responsible for overseeing Syntal’s fund accounting, applying her knowledge of best practices and industry standards.

Prior to joining Syntal, Katie served for more than two-and-a-half years as the Controller for Avidity Partners, where she oversaw all accounting processes, including monthly reporting, audit, and financial statements. Previously, Katie spent more than two years with HBK Capital Management, where she was a Portfolio Accountant, responsible for valuations and fund accounting, as well as financial reporting. She began her career in 2014 with KPMG, where she was an Audit Senior Associate specializing in financial services.

Katie is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, where she earned her B.B.A. in Accounting, with minors in Economics and Mathematics, as well as an M.S. in Accounting.

Committed to professional excellence, Katie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Originally from the U.K., Katie has lived in Texas since 2010. In her free time, she enjoys golf, playing guitar, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.