A native of Rockdale, Texas, Blade followed in his father’s footsteps, attended the University of Houston and excelled in football, playing quarterback his first three years and moving to tight end for his final two years. His academic performance was equally impressive, earning B.A. degrees with honors in finance and entrepreneurship, while earning additional academic and athletic awards along the way. Blade became a member of the honors college at UH, received UH President’s Academic Excellence Awards in 2001 and 2003, was named the CenterPoint Energy Cougar Student Athlete of the Year in 2003, was a Conference USA Academic Medalist from 2001-2005 and was a finalist for the 2005 Draddy Award. This trophy, often referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” recognizes an individual as the best in the country for academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
After completing his formal education, Blade’s on-the-job training began as an assistant manager in the Deanville office of Bassler Energy Services, where he learned the business from the ground up. In the fall of 2007, he opened the Fort Worth location, and in 2010, he was instrumental in getting the Haynesville Shale operation up and running. Today, in his new position as the company’s COO, Blade is responsible for sales and operations at all locations where he maintains close contact with all operation managers, employees and customers. He is Nace CIP certified and a Life Member of the H Association and the UH Alumni Association.
In his leisure time, Blade enjoys hunting, saltwater fishing, golf, grilling and cooking, listening to live music and spending time with his wife, Kim, their twins and dog Charlie.
