Michael W. Lassman is a distinguished energy executive whose four decades of leadership have shaped key sectors across natural gas, oil, midstream infrastructure, carbon capture, and emerging decarbonization technologies. Known for his rare blend of commercial acumen, entrepreneurial instinct, and people-first leadership, he has built a reputation for elevating organizations, expanding revenue streams, and delivering transformative results in both private equity–backed enterprises and global corporations. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, market development, and operational excellence—qualities that have positioned him as a trusted advisor and influential voice across the energy value chain.
Today, as the President of CCS Advisors, LLC, Mr. Lassman plays a pivotal role in advancing one of the nation’s most ambitious Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) strategies. His work spans the development of capture, compression, transportation, and sequestration solutions across Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. He served as a key commercial architect on a $1.2 billion integrated CCS project, while simultaneously overseeing additional multi-state initiatives, including high-pressure CO₂ gathering systems and complex emitter aggregation strategies. His expertise in 45Q tax credit structures, LCFS markets, and environmental attributes underscores his mastery of the emerging low-carbon economy and his ability to translate regulatory frameworks into high-value commercial pathways.
Before joining Crescent Midstream, Mr. Lassman was the Vice President of Marketing for Medallion Midstream, where he built the commercial organization from the ground up and oversaw all marketing, trading, business development, and structured transactions. His leadership was instrumental in driving Medallion’s marketing EBITDA from $3 million to $32 million within four years, while materially reducing operating expenses and capital expenditures. His ability to originate long-term, high-value transactions generated more than $422 million in net present value and contributed to the company’s expansion from $70 million to more than $180 million in annual EBITDA. His tenure stands as one of the most commercially impactful eras in Medallion’s history.
Earlier, as Managing Partner of HighPoint Energy Services, he founded and grew a consulting firm that delivered tangible commercial improvements for small to mid-sized producers. His work enabled clients to optimize margins, monetize non-core assets, and restructure midstream partnerships, including a landmark $120 million gathering and development agreement. His entrepreneurial mindset and ability to diagnose complex commercial challenges made him a sought-after advisor in the upstream and midstream sectors.
At New Gulf Resources, Mr. Lassman served as a key commercial leader responsible for commodity sales, risk management, and midstream system operations. He played an instrumental role in the $450 million acquisition of a productive acreage position and gathering system, followed by the structured divestiture of the midstream assets for $85 million. His stewardship contributed to improved margins, reduced acreage costs, and accelerated drilling and completion programs, reinforcing his reputation as a strategist who sees value where others do not.
His earlier entrepreneurial ventures—including Energy Links, Just Camp, Urban Campout, and Broad Street Coffee—demonstrate his versatility and business creativity. From establishing NYMEX trading floor operations to launching successful retail and e-commerce enterprises, Mr. Lassman repeatedly proved his ability to build, scale, and profitably exit diverse business ventures. His experience outside the traditional energy sector added depth to his leadership style and sharpened his understanding of customer behavior, branding, and multi-channel growth.
Mr. Lassman’s corporate foundation was built within some of the most influential organizations in global energy and finance. At Goldman Sachs, he became one of the industry’s leading natural gas traders, designing derivative products and managing the largest locational basis portfolio of its time. At Williams Companies, he served as a company officer and as Vice President of Energy Marketing and Trading, overseeing multi-billion-dollar commodity portfolios, large-scale M&A transactions, and organizational realignments that significantly increased corporate profitability. His early career with Koch Industries provided rigorous training in distribution, logistics, and trading—skills that became central to his long-term success.
A dynamic communicator and respected thought leader, Mr. Lassman has lectured extensively on commodity markets, risk management, and commercial strategy. His work has taken him across the United States and Europe, helping strengthen global relationships and broaden his international commercial perspective. Colleagues and partners consistently describe him as an exceptional mentor whose energy, optimism, and collaborative leadership inspire teams and drive results.
At his core, Mr. Lassman is guided by integrity, curiosity, and an unwavering dedication to professional excellence. As he approaches this next chapter of his career, he is seeking opportunities to serve on corporate boards where he can contribute his strategic insight, commercial creativity, and decades of operational leadership. With a balanced blend of executive experience, entrepreneurial success, and deep sector knowledge, he represents the kind of board member who elevates organizations through vision, thoughtful governance, and disciplined execution.
Character:
Michael Lassman leads with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, consistently setting a tone of professionalism that inspires others to rise to their highest potential. He fosters a culture of trust and accountability, empowering teams to perform with confidence and purpose. His values-driven approach serves as the foundation for every decision he makes, ensuring long-term credibility and meaningful impact.
Knowledge:
He brings an exceptional depth of expertise spanning commodities trading, midstream commercial and operations oversight, CCS development, and entrepreneurial business building. His decades of cross-functional leadership allow him to see commercial opportunities with clarity and precision, even in complex or rapidly evolving markets. His ability to integrate technical, financial, and operational insights sets him apart as a leader with truly comprehensive industry mastery.
Strategic:
Mr. Lassman is a visionary strategist who excels at designing long-term growth pathways, optimizing assets, and transforming emerging opportunities into profitable realities. He has repeatedly guided companies through periods of expansion, transition, and innovation, leveraging data-driven analysis and creative problem-solving. His strategic instincts consistently result in enhanced value creation and sustained competitive advantage.
Communication:
An articulate, engaging communicator who presents complex concepts with clarity and confidence, ensuring alignment across stakeholders, partners, and leadership teams. His natural ability to connect with diverse audiences—whether in boardrooms, investor discussions, or industry presentations—reinforces his effectiveness as a senior executive. His communication style strengthens relationships, fosters collaboration, and promotes strategic understanding throughout an organization.
CCS Advisors, LLC
