Our Team

Brokers

Phil Arca

Crude Broker

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Zach Bennett

Crude Broker

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Mack Blakely

Crude Broker

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Chip Bryant

Crude Broker

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Anthony Cugno

Crude Broker

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Joshua Early

Crude Broker

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Matt Finch

Crude Broker

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Joshua Hermes

Crude Broker

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Bobby Hill

Crude Broker

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David Jones

Crude Broker

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Jerry Lauersdorf

Crude Broker

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Scott Nelson

Crude Broker

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Tommy Reilly

Crude Broker

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Garth Roe

Crude Broker

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Joseph Roughan

Crude Broker

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Will Schlepphorst

Crude Broker

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Matthew Schmitt

Crude Broker

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Justin Smith

Crude Broker

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Wyatt Smith

Crude Broker

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Matthew Ventura

Crude Broker

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Bert Weir

Crude Broker

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Colin Welch

Crude Broker

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Gavin Workman

Crude Broker

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Board of Managers

Administration

Our Affiliates &

Industry Partners

Navigating the forward derivatives market can be tricky, and the Link Futures team of Series 3 and Series 30 certified brokers are the industry’s first choice for negotiating and executing cleared contracts. With over 70 years combined experience, our reputation for transparency and consistency is unparalleled.

As the Global Crude Industry becomes more interconnected, industry participants need new and accurate real-time data. Link Data Services provides industry participants daily forward curve valuations, market commentary, and pricing reports across a wide spectrum of the domestic and international oil industry.

The industry-leading group of brokers and consultants at McQulling Partners brings a history of excellence and a global presence that is unmatched in the international ship brokerage industry.

Our experience and reputation is unmatched. If you have any questions at all or are interested in our services, reach out today.

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3310 Travis St.
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77006

281-565-5465

[email protected]

DISCLAIMER: Trading futures, swaps and any derivatives thereof (collectively “Commodity Interests”) involve substantial risk and are not appropriate for everyone. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Unless specified, any information posted on this site by Link Data Services LLC (“LDS”) should NOT be regarded as an offer to sell or as a solicitation of an offer to buy any Commodity Interests.  Information contain on this site may be: (i) based solely on the opinion of LF; (ii) incomplete; and/or (iii) unverified. LDS makes no representation, warranty or guarantee as to, and shall not be responsible for, the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. 
2024 © Link Crude Resources. All rights Reserved.

Phil Arca

Crude Broker

Phil graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in Psychology. Before joining Link, he spent years teaching English in Asia. Phil joined Link in June 2020 and is involved in brokering and data sales. In addition, he enjoys studying foreign languages and spending time with family and friends.

Zach Bennett

Crude Broker

Zach Bennett has been a crude oil broker at Link since May 2020. Zach is a native of Louisville, KY, and enlisted as an Infantryman in the TN Army National Guard in 2010. He then served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army following graduation from Middle Tennessee State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Zach is interested in the US Gulf Coast market and is working on growing Link’s market share in Brent and Domestic futures markets. Outside of work, Zach enjoys working out, hunting, kayaking, and hanging out with friends. Zach lives in Houston with his German Shepherd, Otto.

Mack Blakely

Crude Broker

Working at Link Crude Resources since January 2021, Mack is a Series 3 certified crude oil broker focusing on physical and financial brokering in the North American crude sector. With a concentration on Canadian heavy grades, Mack has contributed to Link’s Canadian desk, brokering roughly 87% of all Canadian physical grades as per Argus reporting in the recent year between Cushing, OK, and the US Gulf Coast. Before Link, Mack brings 18 years of professional work experience in progressively broadening, diverse, and challenging assignments, with twelve years of Federal civilian service supporting stateside and overseas national security operations and six years of private sector business consulting experience specializing in project management and process improvement.

Chip Bryant

Crude Broker

I have been a series 3 licensed crude oil broker with Link Crude since 2014, and I look forward to many more years helping Link Crude Resources expand into other markets. I live in Richmond with my wonderful wife Melissa and our four boys, Canaan, Jace, Bodhi, and Soren. When I’m not at work, I like to spend my time working to help others through various charity organizations, such as B.I.G. Love Cancer Care, Hives for Heroes, and Growing Veterans.  

Anthony Cugno

Crude Broker

Anthony Cugno is a broker for Link Crude and Link Futures. He brings his experience in sales and B2B services to Link and is passionate about impacting this dynamic environment. Anthony hails from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Aside from his love of travel and Formula 1, Anthony plays guitar and drums and actively pursues his pilot’s license.

Joshua Early

Crude Broker

Joshua Early joined Link Crude Resources in January of 2023 as a Commodities Broker. Before joining Link, Josh worked in Law Enforcement at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, serving his hometown of Houston, TX. Since joining Link, Josh has found an interest in both US domestic and Canadian physical and financial markets, with a particular interest in the Gulf Coast.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Josh is passionate about expanding equitable educational access to all communities and doing his part to ensure equal representation in the profession.

Matt Finch

Crude Broker

Matt Finch is a skilled commodities broker for Link Crude Resources and Link Futures. He has over five years of combined experience focusing on petroleum products and crude oil in domestic and international markets. After earning his Bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University, Matt worked in Land Management, acquiring oil and gas rights all over Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana. He has worked in several basins and developed close relationships with industry partners, investors, and government agencies. Matt is a native Houstonian who enjoys golf, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Josh Hermes

Crude Broker

Joshua Hermes has been a licensed Series 3 Broker with Link Crude Resources, LLC and Link Futures, LLC, specializing in domestic crude and futures since 2005. He has been an integral part of the tremendous growth of Link over this time as one of the company’s original brokers and currently serves as the most experienced broker on the desk. He prides himself on establishing strong relationships with his clients, many of whom have become lifelong friends. A native of Louisiana, Josh attended Louisiana State University at Shreveport and Louisiana Tech University. After moving to Texas, he gained experience in the real estate, mutual fund, and home construction industries before joining Link. In addition, he is involved in fundraising for veterans, education, and health-related foundations. An avid angler, Josh resides in Fulshear, Texas, with his wife and two children.

Bobby Hill

Crude Broker

Bobby Hill has been a broker for Link Crude Resources and Link Futures since December 2019. Bobby is a native of Alabama and enlisted in the AL National Guard in 2006. After graduating from Jacksonville State University in 2010, Bobby served as an Infantry Officer for nine years in the US Army, leading Infantry units in the 82nd Airborne Division and 3rd Infantry Division. Since joining Link, Bobby has been focused on the domestic physical and financial markets, with a special interest in the Texas Gulf Coast.

David Jones

Crude Broker

David Jones has worked with Link Crude Resources for more than 17 years. As a broker, he works in various crude oil markets handling Domestic, Canadian, Futures, and Foreign Cargos, just to name a few. David is committed, loyal, and focused. He has detailed attention that brings execution for his clients. His no-compromise work ethic continues to be dedicated to fair and accurate markets. Driven by his desire to help his clients, he has created many long-term relationships in the industry. You will find David enjoying cars, boating, fishing, and sporting events in his free time. He has two children, Ryan, 20, attending Texas A&M University, and Madi, 19, at Colorado State University.

Jerry Lauersdorf

Crude Broker

Jerry was brought onto Link in January of 2018 to help expand the coverage of the Canadian heavies desk initially. He graduated from the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business Cum Laude with a B.B.A. in Marketing. Even though most of his coverage is on heavies, he’s expanded to covering several other grades for Link. With the help of several others, he has helped Link become a leader in the brokering of heavies in Patoka, Cushing, and the gulf.

Scott Nelson

Crude Broker

Scott Nelson is a senior broker and Director of Human Resources for Link Crude Resources and Link Futures. He also serves as the Commercial Director for Link Data Services, the data marketing and distribution arm for the Link group of companies. After earning his Bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas and a Master’s degree in History at Texas State University, Scott spent several years in the natural stone industry, fostering business relationships throughout Mexico and South America. Scott is an avid reader and trained historian, a native Texan, and a registered Son of the Republic of Texas.

Tommy Reilly

Crude Broker

Tommy is a seasoned commodities broker with over 25 years of experience. After graduating from the University of Maryland, he spent 15 years on the NYMEX floor, eventually leading a team of six brokers as Head of Crude Option Booth. Transitioning to OTC Crude Options, he thrived for a decade before joining Link Futures. He focuses on Calendar Spread Options while staying active in WTI and Brent options. Outside work, Tommy enjoys golfing and live music shows.

Garth Roe

Crude Broker

Garth Roe joined Link in October of 2014 and currently serves as a commodities broker and president of Link Crude Resources and Link Futures. Before joining Link, he spent ten years serving in the United States Marine Corps. Garth graduated with an associates and bachelors degree from American Military University and did some post graduate study at American University.  Garth is passionate about his job and the people he works with at Link.

Joseph Roughan

Crude Broker

Joseph Roughan joined Link Crude Resources in December 2022. Before joining Link, Joseph worked in the commodity brokerage industry, including the NYMEX trading floor.

Will Schlepphorst

Crude Broker

Will Schlepphorst joined Link Crude Resources in May of 2021, shortly after graduating from Texas A&M University at Galveston with a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Business Administration. He was initially hired as a Crude Broker Analyst to assist the senior brokers in their day-to-day tasks on the desk and to learn and understand the physical and the financial crude differential markets, including the Permian, U.S. Gulf Coast, Cushing, Rockies, and Canadian heavies. After acquiring his Series 3 NFA license, he was brought onto the desk as a Broker to assist the team in developing Links’s presence in brokering the Rockies grades.

Matthew Schmitt

Crude Broker

Matthew Schmitt serves as a Crude Oil Broker at Link Crude Resources LLC. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Project Management from Elon University, Matthew has meticulously developed a profound comprehension of market dynamics and trading methodologies, seamlessly integrating them into his professional journey.

Justin Smith

Crude Broker

Working at Link since January 2019, Justin has worked relentlessly as a Link employee and owner where he focuses on physical and financial brokering in the North American crude sector.  With the main emphasis on Canadian heavy grades, Justin has greatly contributed in brokering roughly 87% of all Canadian physical grades as per Argus reporting in the recent year between Cushing OK and the US gulf coast.  The work ethic and discipline contributed by his military experience of roughly 15 years, has been a large factor of Justin’s success within Link.  With opportunities over the horizon for Link, Justin will continue to work hard with the Link family in order to continue growth and professional development of the company

Wyatt Smith

Crude Broker

Originally from the northeast, Wyatt moved to Houston, where he studied economics at the University of Houston before beginning his career in ship brokerage. After two years of brokering crude oil tankers, he joined Link Crude Resources, where he leveraged his experience in freight to understand the economics of domestic oil markets.   

Matthew Ventura

Crude Broker

Matthew joined Link in July of 2023 and currently serves as a commodities broker at Link Futures, focusing on Crude Options and Futures. He has over twenty-five years of combined experience focusing on petroleum products and energy derivatives. Matthew graduated with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology from West Virginia University. Before starting his career in the NYMEX trading floor Crude Oil Options pit in 1999, he served as an education specialist for the state of West Virginia and behavior analyst for children with neurological impairment in his home state of New Jersey. Matthew is passionate about expanding Link’s market share of its energy portfolio into the broader financial asset classes. When not at work, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and friends, coaching his two children’s sports teams and recently started a youth rugby program in his hometown.

Bert Weir

Crude Broker

Bert Weir, a Commodity Broker at Link Crude Resources LLC, graduated from Texas State University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics. He has over 17 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, first working in various departments at Chevron, including marketing, operations, and trading, before assuming his current role at one of the leading physical domestic crude broker shops in the state of Texas. Bert works with traders in some of the top oil companies in the country and excels at developing the best business strategy for buyers and sellers with the ultimate goal of building and maintaining longstanding customer relationships with those who do business with him. His strong business acumen and approachable nature make it easy for him to work well with others to deliver positive results. In addition, years of experience have equipped Bert with the ability to handle multiple desks without sacrificing efficiency. Despite this success, Bert continues to be eager to learn innovative strategies to assist with customer growth.

Colin Welch

Crude Broker

Colin Welch joined Link Crude Resources in April 2022. Before joining Link, Colin worked in the maritime industry with a focus on Ship-to-Ship lightering operations in the U.S. Gulf, U.S. Atlantic Coast, Caribbean, and South America. Colin holds a B.S. in Maritime Administration from Texas A&M Galveston and an MBA from Lamar University.

Gavin Workman

Crude Broker

Gavin Workman joined Link Crude Resources in 2023 after leaving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. A native Houstonian and ninth-generation Texan, Gavin advises clients by leveraging his market knowledge to discover promising investment opportunities. He is also a proud University of Houston graduate who enjoys playing golf and tennis, snowboarding, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.