“Let Uncertainty Yield To Knowledge”
Harold “Skip” York is a strategic visionary and globally respected energy economist who has dedicated over three decades to navigating and shaping the complexities of the natural resources and energy sectors. A former executive at multinational firms and a current entrepreneur, academic, and board advisor, Skip is known for his unparalleled expertise in strategic leadership, mergers and acquisitions, business transformation, and stakeholder engagement. His career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of insight amid uncertainty, turning ambiguity into opportunity for companies across the energy value chain.
Skip’s professional journey began with a solid academic foundation that set the tone for his analytical rigor and philosophical approach to decision-making. Holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Virginia and multiple degrees in economics and philosophy from the University of Wyoming, he was an early recipient of prestigious fellowships including those from DuPont and the Ford Foundation. This academic prowess underpins his lifelong belief that clear thinking and a deep understanding of purpose are vital to any organization’s success.
His corporate ascent started at ExxonMobil, where he spent a decade refining his expertise in upstream planning, international strategy, and public affairs. His tenure was marked by substantive global exposure, including impactful work in Russia during a pivotal era of economic reform, where he collaborated with the Russian Academy of Sciences and high-level ministries to analyze the socioeconomic impacts of oil investments. These formative experiences sharpened his ability to view strategy through a geopolitical lens, a skill that has defined much of his later work.
Skip’s transition into consulting brought him into influential roles with McKinsey & Company, Charles River Associates, and eventually Wood Mackenzie, where he became Vice President of Integrated Energy. At Wood Mackenzie, Skip’s influence extended far beyond consulting deliverables—he helped craft new research agendas, served as a strategic sounding board for C-suite executives, and became a trusted media voice on Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, and Fox Business. His work regularly intersected with the regulatory realm, including expert witness appearances before North American and international energy bodies. These roles positioned him as a public intellectual in the petroleum space, capable of translating technical complexity into strategic clarity.
At BHP, one of the world’s largest resource companies, Skip took on the critical role of Head of Commodity Strategy – Petroleum. He guided a major realignment of the company’s petroleum portfolio, including the high-stakes divestiture of $10 billion in U.S. shale assets and a $20 billion merger with Woodside Petroleum Ltd. He led teams exploring next-generation energy technologies, including carbon capture, hydrogen, and geothermal, and oversaw $30 million in early-stage venture investments. In this capacity, Skip proved his mettle not only as a strategist but as a builder of sustainable energy futures.
Skip’s passion for advancing corporate strategy with enduring impact led him to found DSC Advising in 2024. As its principal, he consults with medium-to-large enterprises across the natural resources, mining, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors. DSC is built on Skip’s conviction that strategy is not merely a plan—it is a capability that differentiates winners from laggards. He champions a tailored approach rooted in accountability, capability leverage, and transformative intent.
In parallel, Skip has found purpose in academia. As an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming, he teaches “Strategy in the Energy Transition,” equipping the next generation of engineers with the strategic tools needed to navigate a carbon-constrained world. His course fuses theory with practicality, helping students grapple with drafting purpose statements, designing measurable strategies, and understanding the shifting dynamics of global energy transitions.
Board service is a natural extension of Skip’s leadership ethos. He currently serves on the board of the West Point Parents Club of Greater Houston, where he acts as Vice President, and the National Amateur Fall Baseball Foundation, where he chairs the Partnership Committee. He has also contributed to advisory boards for Ovis, a decentralized blockchain media startup, and Interstate Hydrogen, a cutting-edge alternative energy company. These roles reflect both his commitment to national service and his enduring interest in innovation and youth development.
Beyond the boardroom and classroom, Skip is a devoted father and lifelong baseball enthusiast. His love for the sport, whether playing in his youth or now cheering from the sidelines as a coach and parent, reflects a value system rooted in discipline, mentorship, and teamwork. He’s also an avid golfer and cyclist when time permits, pursuits that mirror his drive for focus, endurance, and precision.
Skip York’s personal philosophy—“Let uncertainty yield to knowledge”—encapsulates his commitment to clarity amid complexity, action amid ambiguity, and guidance amid growth. With decades of global experience, proven leadership across sectors, and a deeply analytical mind, Skip brings not only strategy but wisdom to every board seat and advisory role he accepts.
Character:
Skip York exemplifies integrity and steadiness under pressure, drawing from a career spent navigating volatile markets and global boardrooms with grace. His commitment to mentorship and public service speaks to a character grounded in humility, resilience, and purpose.
Knowledge:
With a PhD in economics and more than three decades of practical and theoretical experience in global energy markets, Skip offers an exceptional depth of understanding. If he has not experienced a market phenomenon, he has encountered a situation quite like it. His ability to translate macroeconomic shifts into actionable insights makes him an invaluable asset in high-stakes strategic discussions.
Strategic:
Skip is renowned for his long-range thinking and capability to architect strategic transformations, including multi-billion-dollar divestitures and pioneering investments in emerging technologies. He sees strategy not as a one-time act, but as a dynamic and living capability that sets apart high-performing organizations.
Communication:
Whether on television, in a boardroom, or at a university podium, Skip’s ability to distill complex concepts into compelling narratives is unmatched. His communication style builds trust, encourages consensus, and drives results.
