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As senior counsel, Chadwick Holeman currently draws on his knowledge and experience in intellectual property, commercial real estate, privacy, public and government affairs, aviation, and new ventures to support Devon Energy managers. His journey demonstrates how calculated risks and an unwavering dedication to self-improvement can transform a career one leap of faith at a time.
Holeman’s first leap of faith came early. His father’s job in Houston’s oil and gas industry required the family to relocate first to Louisiana and later to Indiana and Kansas to take advantage of career advancement opportunities. With each move, Holeman learned to adapt to new experiences and embrace uncertain outcomes. “Relocating a lot in childhood made me adaptable and taught me to be comfortable meeting new people, navigating any environment, and expanding my perspective,” he explains.
After graduating from high school, Holeman majored in business administration with a concentration in management information systems at the University of Houston. While the coursework both challenged and inspired him, it was also his time spent on the gridiron as a college athlete that further enhanced Holeman’s values of teamwork, accountability, and discipline.
As college progressed and Holeman’s athletic dreams gave way to reality, he channeled his energy into completing his education and preparing for a career. He graduated in 2000 and worked as a contract consultant at Robert Half International until taking a full-time position with Ocean Energy.
In the accounting department, Holeman worked to “put a tech fingerprint” on the company’s accounting practices. By the time Devon acquired Ocean in 2003, Holeman was ready to take another leap of faith—returning to school to earn an MBA in finance and energy risk management at his alma mater.
After transitioning from accounting to information technology, Holeman pursued another opportunity in project management by taking a business analyst/project manager role. There was just one catch—the job was in Oklahoma City. It was time for another leap of faith.
Holeman took an exploratory trip to the “Big Friendly,” a nickname the city earned for its authenticity, openness, and kindness, and ultimately accepted the new role in Devon’s corporate office.
Devon, a Fortune 500 company, is part of the S&P 500 Index; its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DVN.
Holeman spent six years managing projects and optimizing strategic processes for several Devon departments. Meanwhile, he earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the University of Oklahoma.
“Relocating a lot in childhood made me adaptable and taught me to be comfortable meeting new people, navigating any environment, and expanding my perspective.”
Chadwick T. Holeman
Interacting with colleagues in various operational business units, legal, internal audit, and risk management inspired Holeman to consider law school. Holeman concluded that pairing his technical expertise with a legal education would broaden his career opportunities. In 2008, he enrolled at the Oklahoma City University School of Law and completed the Juris Doctorate in less than four years while working full-time and clerking for a local law firm each summer while in law school.
JD in hand and passing the bar, Holeman joined Devon’s legal department in 2012. He refers to the past thirteen years as the most gratifying of his career, including being mentored by colleagues along the way.
“Change brings a balance of exhilarating and terrifying emotions because the unknown is always challenging and change is always difficult,” he says. “But I’m happy that all the leaps I’ve taken have led me here, where I can continue to add value and unlock new opportunities.”
A life-long learner, Holeman finished an LLM degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University that enhanced his expertise in global antitrust law and economics. As senior counsel at Devon, he provides legal advice to the various departments he supports—all with a client-centric approach.
Deeply committed to serving the underprivileged and the underserved, Holeman has been affiliated with a number of nonprofit organizations over his career. He is proud to have served and supported Make-A-Wish Oklahoma, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, SSM Health St. Anthony Foundation Board, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Energy Resource Board, is a member of Leadership Oklahoma City’s Class 32, and was recently appointed to the University of Oklahoma’s Advisory Board for Customer Experience.
While many risks, chances, and opportunities have fueled Holeman’s career, his faith, parents, family, and mentors have kept him grounded. “I would never be where I am today without all of these positive forces in my life,” he says. “I’m especially grateful for the love and guidance I received from my parents, who were always there to support and even nudge me whenever it was time to take another leap of faith.”
