Roger Simons is a co-founder and managing partner of Backyard Environmental Solutions. He served as vice chairman of Maxum Petroleum after Simons Petroleum merger in 2004 until retiring in 2011. He previously served as Simons Petroleum’s chief executive officer and owner since 1984. Beginning in 1972 Mr. Simons built a small family business into one of the nation’s top independent fuel and lubricant distribution companies operating in 46 states. He attended Texas Christian University and graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Between 1990 and 2001 Mr. Simons served as a member of the products committee of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).  He has made presentations at NYMEX's annual meetings, the World Oil Conference and other petroleum conferences throughout the United States and Europe.

A leader in the petroleum marketing industry during the 1970s OPEC oil embargo, Mr. Simons served as an industry advisor to the United States government offices focused on the nation’s pipeline and distribution systems. In this role, he counseled regulators that would later form the Department of Energy to assist in formulating rules and regulations that shape the petroleum industry today. Mr. Simons is also active in many industry organizations and serves on board of directors of a number of companies and charitable institutions. He is a board member and past chairman of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and a past chairman of the American Heart Association’s Heartland Division.