Heather Barcia Taylor
Heather Barcia Taylor is a Senior Regulatory Manager in the oil and gas industry with over 25 years of experience leading regulatory permitting, compliance, and field development activities in Texas. She currently works at ExxonMobil, where she oversees regulatory operations for the Texas Division of Development, managing permitting for hundreds of wells annually and supporting large-scale upstream drilling and completion programs. Her work focuses on bridging technical operations with regulatory requirements while ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient energy development.
Her career began in the 1990s in land and mineral rights work before transitioning into regulatory affairs, where she quickly developed expertise in municipal and state permitting during the growth of shale development in Texas. She held key roles at Chesapeake Energy and later spent over 15 years at Pioneer Natural Resources Company, where she advanced through multiple leadership positions including regulatory manager and engineering technician supervisor. During this time, she played a critical role in developing permitting frameworks and working closely with cities such as Fort Worth, Arlington, and Mansfield during the early expansion of oil and gas activity in urban and suburban areas.
Throughout her career, Heather has been recognized for her leadership in regulatory innovation, stakeholder engagement, and mentorship. She has contributed to major policy and rule development efforts by collaborating with state agencies and industry groups, helping shape statewide regulatory updates and improving permitting processes. A strong advocate for professional development and team growth, she is also deeply committed to mentoring emerging professionals in the field. Her leadership philosophy centers on building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating purpose-driven teams that support both operational excellence and responsible energy development.
• Texoga Workgroup
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith in God, as I believe the opportunities and doors that have opened for me are guided by Him. I’m also deeply grateful for the mentors throughout my career who have challenged me and offered honest, sometimes difficult, advice that helped me grow. My willingness to learn from feedback, continuously improve, and my commitment to helping others succeed have all played a significant role in my professional journey.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come through the guidance of several key mentors who have shaped my growth. Larry Dale gave me my first opportunity to learn the business, while Danny Williams challenged me to think about my goals and ultimately gave me the chance to step into leadership, even through early setbacks. Bonnie Black consistently pushed me to grow personally and professionally, and Joey Hall provided steady support and encouragement through challenges and successes. Collectively, they taught me the importance of being intentional about growth, learning through experience, and valuing mentors who both challenge and support you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay curious, ask questions, and actively seek out mentors who are willing to train, guide, and support your development. Much of the expertise in this field comes from hands-on experience, so it’s important to learn from others by building strong working relationships and partnering with those around you. Take advantage of opportunities through trade associations, professional organizations, and platforms like LinkedIn to connect, learn, and continue growing both within and outside your company.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is the generational gap in oil and gas development, particularly in ensuring knowledge transfer as experienced professionals retire and new talent enters the industry. This has made it increasingly important to focus on attracting younger professionals to the regulatory space, while also investing time in educating, mentoring, and developing their technical understanding. I see this as both a challenge and an opportunity to strengthen the future of the industry by intentionally building the next generation’s knowledge base and encouraging collaboration and learning across experience levels.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Care and purpose are the values that guide me in both my work and personal life. I focus on caring for the people around me and being intentional about my purpose, using that to motivate and support others in achieving strong results. Outside of work, my family and community are most important to me, and I value time with my children and grandchildren, my involvement in church, and traveling with my husband when we can.
Locations
ExxonMobil
Conroe, TX 77302