#93. How do you turn a struggling frac sand operation into a 10‑million‑ton powerhouse?
Recorded live at the Daniel Energy Partners Thrive Conference, hosts David de Roode and Victoria Beard Queen sit down with Jackson Wise, CEO of Signal Peak Silica, and world-class pit master, to unpack the realities of the modern sand business and what it takes to lead through cycles. Wise shares his unconventional path from Enron and investment banking with the infamous Simmons & Company to operating one of the largest regional frac sand platforms in the U.S., along with the hard lessons learned during Signal Peak’s 2019 turnaround.The conversation dives into how regionalization has reshaped the sand market, why delivered cost and logistics matter more than brand, and how consolidation and capital discipline are defining the future of the sector. Wise also reflects on leadership, mentorship, building high‑trust teams, and why barbecue, community, and culture still play an outsized role in oil & gas today.00:00 Why Oil And Gas Matters00:36 Podcast And Sponsors01:59 Live From Thrive Conference03:14 Meet Jackson Wise03:40 Early Career And Enron05:52 BP MBA And Simmons07:17 Simmons Culture Lessons09:34 Leaving Banking To Operate11:38 Mentorship And Leadership13:16 Signal Peak In 30 Seconds15:49 Turnaround And Team Building17:24 Sand Consolidation Strategy20:06 How The Sand Market Changed22:47 Plant Costs Then And Now24:17 Wet Versus Dry Sand25:36 Wet Sand Reality Check26:15 How Heavy Is Sand27:14 Logistics And Truck Staging28:59 Pitching SPS Value30:57 Five To Ten Year Vision32:48 Barbecue And Oilfield Culture34:53 Winning At Pebble Beach38:21 Cookoff Community And Team42:27 Career Wisdom And Wrap
