Jacob Nagy

“There aren’t many other bankers that have spent their entire career, starting as an analyst, in the upstream investment banking space,” he says. “Having such a distinct focus provided me with an understanding of the sector that helped accelerate my career path.”

Career path: Nagy began his career as an analyst in Merrill Lynch’s Global Energy Group. After its merger with Bank of America, he spent some time as an associate before partnering with his former investment banking colleagues to form Petrie Partners in 2011. He now focuses on origination and leads the day-to-day execution of most projects.

Dynamically driven: Nagy views the oil and gas industry as fast-changing and multifaceted, and those dynamics drive him.

“I’ve seen several commodity cycles, significant technology innovation, and multiple new play discoveries,” he says. “The oil and gas industry continues to reinvent itself and each time I’ve seen a shift in the industry, it opens up new opportunities and learning experiences.”

Advice for young professionals: “The first few years of your career are critical in setting a foundation for success. Working hard and pushing your limits early on can really help differentiate you from your peers. And never stop learning—I’m constantly seeking new challenges that provide an opportunity to expand my skill set.”