James F. Lea, Jr. is currently an independent consultant for both academic and corporate facilities aiding in production projects and teaching seminars. He was previously the Chair of the petroleum engineering department of Texas Tech University, where he taught since 1999. Previous to his teaching experience, Dr. Lea worked in the industry for 20 years for Amoco as a special research associate and team leader of the optimization and production group. He taught at the University of Arkansas from 1975 to 1978, and before that he worked as a senior research engineer at the famed Sun Oil Company in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Lea holds 8 patents, has co-authored 2 books, and was awarded the SPE Lifetime Achievement Award as a "Legend of Artificial Lift". Dr. Lea earned a BSME and MSME from the University of Arkansas and a PhD from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engieers and ASME.