In this edition of Founder Spotlight, we’re proud to feature RJ Burr, President and CEO of Panex, a family-owned energy company based in Bowling Green, Kentucky. With decades of experience across generations, Panex is developing proven oil fields like Bayou Choctaw and inviting accredited investors to participate in the next chapter of American energy independence. Under RJ’s leadership, Panex is combining legacy fieldwork with cutting-edge AI to accelerate geologic discovery and oil production.
What does your business do, and what inspired you to start it?
Panex develops and produces American oil. We identify, lease, and drill on proven productive fields—many of which others have overlooked or abandoned. Our mission is both economic and patriotic: to help the U.S. meet its growing energy demands while giving accredited investors a way to participate in one of the world’s most essential industries.
For me, this business is personal. It’s been a lifelong dream to be in oil. I was raised in it. My father, Bob Burr, helped shape the original Panex vision, and now I get to expand it alongside my brother and team. We believe small, family-owned operators like us are the backbone of American energy—and we’re proving that every day.
What has been the biggest challenge in your entrepreneurial journey, and how did you overcome it?
Learning to trust my instincts and judgment was the hardest—and most important—lesson. In a business as volatile and complex as oil, you’re constantly faced with high-stakes decisions. There isn’t always a manual or a map. You’ve got to weigh the data, know your field, and have the courage to act.
Over time, I’ve learned to filter out the noise and focus on what matters. That confidence—built through trial, error, and persistence—has been key to navigating challenges and finding the right partners.
Where do you see AI making the biggest impact in your industry over the next five years?
AI is going to dramatically increase the speed and precision of oil prospecting. The processing power of AI will soon surpass what any human team could do manually. That means faster analysis of geologic data, better identification of viable drill sites, and quicker turnaround from prospect to production.
For a company like Panex, that’s transformational. Instead of waiting weeks or months to validate a field, we can use AI to generate insights in days. It won’t replace our instincts or field knowledge—but it will supercharge our ability to act on them.
How has Vengo AI helped your business capture leads and grow sales?
We’re still in the early stages with Vengo AI, but we see the potential clearly. With a high-ticket investment like oil, education is everything. Vengo AI gives us a way to engage site visitors, answer their questions, and start the trust-building process—even when we’re not in the office.
The real value is in how Vengo AI bridges curiosity into commitment. And we know the numbers speak for themselves: Vengo AI users collect email leads in 77% of conversations and phone numbers in 57% of chats. That’s a massive improvement over traditional methods—and it aligns perfectly with our goal of reaching informed, accredited investors at scale.
What advice would you give to other founders looking to integrate AI into their businesses?
Think about speed. AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about accelerating your ability to learn, respond, and grow. In our case, that means faster prospecting and smarter investor outreach. In your case, it might mean something else. But the common thread is this: AI helps you get to the truth faster.
And remember, AI doesn’t eliminate human judgment. It enhances it. The best use of AI is as a partner—one that never sleeps, never slows down, and never stops learning.
Want to capture more leads and boost your sales like RJ?
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