Mr. McGough Co-Founded Monarch Financial in 2004 and serves as the Firm’s Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. McGough is responsible for the Firm's financial strategy, management of banking relationships, portfolio management, risk analysis and management including derivatives trading, operations analysis, commodity marketing, and strategic development & implementation. Mr. McGough also manages all aspects of the Firm’s institutional direct energy private equity fund – BASA PetroFund I which has delivered an internal rate of return in excess of 20% to limited partners since inception in 2006.  Prior to forming Monarch, Mr. McGough served as Manager of Risk Operations at Capital One Financial, Inc.  Mr. McGough is a member of the Dallas Energy Finance Discussion Group, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Dallas ADAM Energy Group (Acquisition, Divestiture, and Merger) and the Dallas Petroleum Club where he is actively involved in various committees.

Mr. Knowlton Co-founded Monarch in 2004. Mr. Knowlton is a multi-disciplined consultant with fifteen years’ experience in the oil industry working in the areas of fundraising, private equity, government affairs, investor relations, and business development. He has created multiple limited partnerships, built numerous business lines, designed direct energy investments, and worked with state regulatory authorities. Mr. Knowlton is responsible for identifying new business development opportunities and investment analysis.  He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Mr. Knowlton is also a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club and The Rockwall Lions Club