Vortus recruits TPG controller

Frank Lamsens and Porter Pursley have joined Vortus Investments Advisors as chief financial officer and chief compliance officer respectively. Pursley will also become a senior associate on the firm’s investment team.

Lamsens previously worked for global buyout firm TPG where he served as controller for new business platforms. Before joining TPG in 2010 he was a member of KPMG’s audit practice in Chicago.

Pursley was previously a senior research associate at Raymond James & Associates, a New York-based financial services company. While there he was responsible for researching mid-cap to large-cap exploration and production companies, according to a statement from Vortus.

The two join Jeffrey Miller and Brian Crumley as members of Vortus’ management team. The firm was founded by Miller and Crumley in late 2012, to invest in onshore oil and gas exploration and production in the US mid-market. The Texas-based energy investor aims to invest between $50 million and $75 million of equity per transaction.

Vortus is currently in the market with a new fund, and has already completed its first investment from that fund, acquiring Texas-based exploration and production company Foreland Resources.

In the statement, Miller said he was “delighted” to welcome Lamsens and Pursley to the team. “Frank’s proven track record in the accounting and finance fields was a rare combination to find. Porter adds value to our investment team with his broad range of experience in the E&P sector.”