Corey Emsoff

Texas A&M University, Mays Business School

“Veteran, strategist, and energy industry leader transforming relationships, operational experience, and vision into measurable business growth.”

Age: 42

Hometown: Andrews, Texas

Fun fact about yourself: I have worked across multiple oil and gas basins in the United States and logged more than 50 flights and tens of thousands of travel miles in a six-month span while balancing business development, operations, family life, and my MBA coursework.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Bachelor of General Studies – Sul Ross State University

Master of Business Administration – Mays Business School

Where are you currently working?

Growth & Development Manager, Lower 48 – Koniag Energy & Water

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I am most proud of is building a respected career and network in the energy industry through trust, execution, and relationships. I came from a small West Texas town, served in the Army, and entered the industry through operations and field experience rather than a traditional executive path.

Over the last several years, I have helped drive millions in revenue growth, secured strategic operator relationships and MSAs, expanded organizations into new markets, and contributed to companies more than doubling in size and market presence. I have been fortunate to work across multiple U.S. basins alongside everyone from field crews to executive leadership, learning how to connect operational realities with long-term business strategy.

What matters most to me is the reputation built along the way. In an industry where trust still matters, being the person customers, leaders, and teams rely on during critical moments is the achievement I value most.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose the online MBA program at Texas A&M because of the reputation, culture, and values associated with the university. I wanted a program that combined academic excellence with practical leadership development, while still allowing me to continue working full-time in a demanding industry. The flexibility of the online format allowed me to immediately apply what I was learning in real business situations.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part was the people. The online environment brought together professionals from different industries, leadership levels, and life experiences. Many of us were balancing careers, families, travel, and leadership responsibilities while still showing up for group projects and discussions late at night or early in the morning. There was a shared level of discipline and mutual respect that made the experience extremely rewarding.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My online MBA experience felt far more practical and collaborative than my undergraduate experience. Undergraduate studies focused heavily on learning concepts, while the MBA environment focused on applying them. Conversations were richer because classmates were actively dealing with leadership challenges, operational decisions, budgeting, negotiations, and organizational growth in real time.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? My MBA strengthened my ability to think more strategically and communicate more effectively at the executive level. It gave me a deeper understanding of finance, operations, organizational behavior, and long-term growth strategy. In my current role, I regularly work on expansion initiatives, acquisitions, market strategy, and operational planning. The MBA helped me connect those moving pieces in a much more structured and analytical way.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes. During and immediately following the program, I transitioned into larger growth and leadership-focused roles within the energy sector, ultimately becoming the Growth & Development Manager for the Lower 48 at Koniag Energy & Water. The MBA helped sharpen both my leadership approach and executive-level business perspective during that  transition.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program?I pursued an online MBA because stepping away from my career and family responsibilities was not realistic for me. At the time, I was actively building businesses, traveling extensively for work, and balancing family life. The online format allowed me to continue progressing professionally while still pursuing a world-class education.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? AI became increasingly integrated into coursework through analytics, research, strategic planning, predictive modeling, and discussions around emerging technologies and workplace transformation. One major insight I gained is that AI is an amplifier, not a replacement. It can accelerate analysis, improve efficiency, and strengthen decision-making, but leadership, communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence remain the differentiators that drive organizations forward. Learning how to responsibly integrate AI into business processes while still maintaining human judgment was one of the most valuable takeaways from the program.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 20–30 hours per week

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to grow into senior executive leadership where I can help organizations scale strategically, strengthen operational performance, and build cultures centered around accountability, trust, and long-term growth. I want to lead organizations that are respected not only for financial performance, but also for how they develop people, serve customers, and create lasting impact within the industries and communities they support. I also want to mentor future leaders coming behind me and show that nontraditional leadership paths can still lead to meaningful success.

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