Alan Gaines. Mr. Gaines has served as our Chairman of our Board since May 2001 and as our Chief Executive Officer from May 2001 to April 17, 2007. Since April 2005, Mr. Gaines has served as Vice Chairman of Baseline Oil & Gas Corp., a public company (OTC: BOGA.OB). In 1983, Mr. Gaines founded Gaines, Berland Inc., a full service brokerage firm and investment bank specializing in global energy markets, with particular emphasis given to small to mid-capitalization exploration and production, pipeline, midstream, and oilfield services companies. Mr. Gaines served as President of Gaines, Berland from 1983 to 1998. Mr. Gaines holds a BBA in Finance from Baruch College, and an MBA (With Distinction) from the Zarb School, Hofstra University School of Management.