About Us

Founder & Principal

Mr. Robles is a seasoned CEO and visionary business leader with over four decades of experience in the oil & gas, private equity, and technology sectors. Renowned for his strategic insight and operational acumen, he has consistently driven transformative growth and delivered exceptional value creation across these diverse industries.

Beginning his career at ExxonMobil with a Chemical Engineering degree, Mr. Robles later honed his leadership prowess and executive capabilities through advanced management training. At ExxonMobil, he held senior roles in the global Downstream Business Unit, spearheading international initiatives and mastering global operations and value chains.

Transitioning to entrepreneurship, Mr. Robles founded and scaled multiple companies, leading high-impact mergers, acquisitions, and exits. For the past 20 years, as Founder & Principal of BlackOak Energy, LLC, he has built a trusted management advisory and global supply sourcing firm, delivering strategic insight and innovative supply chain solutions to clients within the oil & gas sector.

Having served as President and CEO across various organizations, Mr. Robles champions a leadership philosophy centered on strategic foresight, disciplined execution, and innovation. He prioritizes corporate governance, talent development, strategic planning, operational excellence, technology integration, and free cash flow generation.

Beyond business, Mr. Robles has served on the Board of Directors and Board of Governors for Operation Smile, a global nonprofit providing surgical care to children with facial deformities. He leverages his extensive network to support philanthropy and entrepreneurial ventures.

A passionate builder of companies, Mr. Robles continues to invest in visionary ventures, craft high-impact strategies, and empower teams to achieve sustainable, scalable success.

Partner

Dr. Del Valle is a distinguished executive in the oil and gas industry with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and over four decades of hands-on experience spanning refining, supply logistics, trading, marine transportation, and project evaluation economics. His unparalleled expertise in refining and supply was shaped early in his career while working alongside Mr. Lee R. Raymond at the Aruba refinery—long before Raymond would go on to become Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil. That early collaboration laid a strong foundation for Dr. Del Valle’s deep understanding of the operational and economic intricacies of large-scale refining.

He later held key roles in corporate planning and ultimately managed Exxon’s supply and distribution operations across the Caribbean and Central America, solidifying his reputation as a strategic leader in regional fuel logistics and supply chain optimization.

Over his 34-year career at Exxon, followed by more than 20 years in consulting and oil trading, Dr. Del Valle has become a widely respected authority on project evaluation economics, acquisition economics, supply contract structuring, and competitive bidding strategies for industrial clients.

He brings deep expertise in negotiating complex supply and marine chartering agreements and has led major engineering and construction projects for pipelines and storage terminals. Among his notable achievements is the successful development of a $145 million greenfield import storage terminal in the Dominican Republic, which included new marine docking facilities and pipeline infrastructure.

Dr. Del Valle also served as a board member and executive contact for the Supply and Refining division of the Gulf Oil Company refinery in Puerto Rico (Capeco), further enhancing his leadership credentials in the downstream sector.

In addition to his industry work, Dr. Del Valle contributes to academic and public policy discourse as a member of the Board of Directors for the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Florida International University. He is also a frequent guest on various news programs, where his insight is sought whenever expert commentary on oil and gas markets is needed.

He is currently a partner at BlackOak Energy, LLC, a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm serving the oil and gas sector.

Partner

Mr. Carreras holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Finance and brings almost three decades of high-octane experience from Wall Street in New York City. He launched his career in 1981 at Chase Manhattan Bank, quickly distinguishing himself before moving into the fast-paced world of commodities trading at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Over the next 25 years, Mr. Carreras thrived on the NYMEX floor as a market maker, specializing in crack spreads and actively trading Crude Oil, Heating Oil, Unleaded Gasoline, and Natural Gas futures. His instinct for market movement and his relentless energy earned him a reputation as a fierce and focused dealmaker.

After retiring from NYMEX, he founded ECC Global, channeling his passion and sharp insights into commodities consulting. With a focus on energy and agricultural markets—including Petroleum Derivatives, Refined Petroleum Products, Soybeans, Coffee, and Sugar—Mr. Carreras forged deep, lasting partnerships across South America and Europe. His ability to drive initiatives forward and close complex deals is matched only by his commitment to delivering exceptional value.

Mr. Carreras’ global perspective is further enriched by having lived in France, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, he effortlessly navigates multicultural business landscapes.

Today, as a partner at BlackOak Energy, LLC—a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm in the oil & gas sector—Mr. Carreras brings unmatched intensity and a strategic mindset to his role. His mission is clear: to cultivate high-impact relationships, identify game-changing opportunities, and get deals across the finish line with precision and purpose.

Partner

Mr. Spano is a seasoned leader in global commodity trading with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, economics, finance, and production systems. His career is marked by a rare blend of strategic market insight and financial expertise, particularly in structuring high-value transactions and navigating the complexities of global energy markets.

At BlackOak Energy, Mr. Spano leads our global purchasing and key accounts operations, overseeing complex commodity transactions and fostering strategic partnerships across the sector. What truly sets Mr. Spano apart is the depth of financial capability he brings to the firm—anchored by longstanding relationships with top-tier banks and private financial institutions. Through these trusted partners, BlackOak Energy gains access to sophisticated financial instruments, working capital solutions, and deal structuring support that enable us to execute large-scale procurement strategies with confidence and agility.

Mr. Spano’s financial network not only enhances our liquidity and credit positioning but also reinforces our ability to support clients with flexible and scalable supply solutions—especially in volatile market conditions. His leadership in managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, aligning capital flows with operational goals, and optimizing trading operations continues to elevate BlackOak Energy’s position as a trusted and financially strong partner in global energy sourcing.

As a partner at BlackOak Energy, LLC—a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm focused on the oil and gas industry—Mr. Spano brings institutional credibility and financial strength that underpin our growth and the success of our clients.

Downstream Advisor

Mr. Steigerwald is a seasoned petroleum professional with diverse experience in refining, supply chain logistics, trading, and economics. Formerly a manager with Exxon for two decades, he has held key positions in operations, project development, and quality control. His extensive expertise spans the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Specializing in bulk liquid logistics, refinery design, and terminal development, Mr. Steigerwald's career has been marked by his ability to optimize operations, reduce risk, and navigate complex claims. His skills include auditing, operations management, and investment assessment.

As an independent consultant, he has worked with various clients on projects ranging from low-sulfur bunkers fuel production to emergency water supply proposals in conflict zones. He has also been a key advisor to the Panama Canal Commission, contributing to the reassessment of the petroleum industry's use of the Canal.

With a remarkable track record in business development, operations management, and strategic advisory, Mr. Steigerwald continues to make significant contributions to the global petroleum industry. 

Mr. Steigerwald is a partner of BlackOak Energy, LLC, a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm within the oil & gas industry.

OIMS Advisor

Mr. Ducheny holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and has pursued post-graduate studies in Environmental Engineering. He began his career at Esso Standard Oil Puerto Rico, where he served as Operations Manager for the Central Caribbean Region. In this role, he oversaw all logistics and operations, including supply, transportation, aviation fueling, and marine operations.

With his expertise in logistics, Mr. Ducheny transitioned to become the Operations Manager for the Division of Supply and Marine's Transportation Group within Exxon Trading Inter-America. In this position, he was responsible for monitoring the performance of Exxon's tanker fleet and coordinating chartering activities as needed.

During his tenure, Mr. Ducheny held the position of Senior Advisor for South America, focusing on safety and distribution. He played a crucial role in implementing and advising on safety, health, and environmental programs, including ExxonMobil's Operations Integrity Management Systems (OIMS) that ensure the safety and integrity of all operations, Industry Loss Prevention Systems, Quality Control Management Systems, and Processes Administrative Controls Systems.

After retiring, Mr. Ducheny continued to contribute his expertise as a consultant to the petroleum industry, providing professional services to companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, and SOL. 

Mr. Ducheny is a partner of BlackOak Energy, LLC, a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm within the oil & gas industry.

Security Advisor

At BlackOak Energy, we are committed to delivering forward-thinking energy and security solutions with precision, discretion, and integrity. Our extended network of trusted professionals includes seasoned experts like Mr. Polanco, a strategic partner and the Chief Executive Officer of Public Safety Protection Agency, Inc.

With over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, executive protection, and risk mitigation, Mr. Polanco brings unmatched expertise in high-level security operations. His career spans roles with the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security contractors, and private executive protection details. Carlos’s advanced training in justice administration and security management, along with his extensive certifications from FEMA and the NRA, reflect his deep dedication to safeguarding people and infrastructure.

Mr. Polanco's involvement with BlackOak Energy underscores our commitment to offering holistic solutions that integrate energy optimization with elite-level risk assessment and protection strategies. His impeccable reputation, active security clearance, and leadership in national security organizations make him an invaluable part of our mission to serve clients with excellence and confidence.

Mr. Polanco is a partner of BlackOak Energy, LLC, a management advisory and global supply sourcing firm within the oil & gas industry.