About Us
Carlson Ferrer International Holdings structures and finances energy projects under disciplined governance, regulatory compliance, and professional sponsorship. As an independent, non operating sponsor, CFI aligns sovereign resources, institutional capital, and qualified execution partners to deliver transparent, compliant, and bankable energy project frameworks that align with the standards of public authorities and institutional investors.
Carlson Ferrer International Holdings is a United States based strategic energy project sponsor and upstream project manager focused on the structured development, financing, and procurement of energy projects.
CFI operates as a non-operating sponsor, preparing projects to institutional standards through disciplined governance, professional structuring, and strict regulatory compliance. The company does not act as an operator, but rather serves as Project Sponsor and Investment Manager, enabling qualified local operators to participate in upstream and energy sector projects through controlled and transparent frameworks.
CFI’s operating model is designed to align sovereign authorities, institutional capital providers, and execution partners within Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structures that ensure ring fenced capital, traceable cash flows, and milestone based fund deployment. This approach allows projects to be prepared and managed in a manner consistent with international investment, compliance, and risk management standards.
CFI’s activities are directly aligned with the strategic investment priorities of host governments and public investment authorities, including the structured allocation and recovery of mature oil and gas fields with proven reserves.
Our Mission
CFI is a professional Project Sponsor and Project Manager, developing, financing, and procuring energy projects that meet institutional, regulatory, and operational standards while enabling qualified local operators to execute within structured, transparent, and compliant frameworks.
Executive Team
Mark D. Carlson
President & CEO (Co-founder)
Mark D. Carlson is the Co Founder, President, and CEO of Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, leading high value project development, financing, and procurement initiatives across the energy sector in Mexico and Latin America. With more than 30 years of international leadership experience, he has delivered results in complex markets throughout Latin America, the Middle East, and West Africa, earning recognition as an expert in global risk management and project execution.
Mark has guided major oil and energy clients through full lifecycle project delivery, enterprise risk planning, and operations in volatile environments—helping investors protect capital and scale projects with confidence. He holds an MBA from Hofstra University, an MA in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University, and is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute. He is fluent in Spanish.
Jorge Israel Gómez Unger
General Counsel
Jorge Israel Gómez Unger Unger is the General Counsel of Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, bringing more than twenty five years of legal, notarial, and governmental experience across the Americas. He provides strategic legal guidance and regulatory oversight for the firm’s energy sector projects, ensuring compliance and protecting investor interests.
He serves as Principal Public Notary of Notary Office No. 117 in San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas, advising major financial institutions, developers, and corporate clients on high value commercial and infrastructure matters. His background includes senior legal roles in Mexico’s federal and state government, as well as leadership in environmental and regulatory compliance. Mr. Gómez Unger holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Hermosillo, a Diploma in North American Law from Georgetown University, and a Master’s Degree in Law specializing in Notarial Law and Public Brokerage. He is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Tatiana Gómez Unger
Vice President of Institutional Relations
Tatiana Gómez Unger serves as Vice President of Institutional Relations for Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, bringing more than fifteen years of experience in crisis management, strategic communications, and regional advisory work across Mexico and Latin America.
A former senior communications official for Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and the State of Sonora, she has guided organizations through high risk environments and complex operational challenges.
Tatiana later led private sector risk management and continuity planning efforts for multinational clients and high net worth individuals throughout Mexico and Latin America.
She holds a BA from the University of Arizona and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian.
EXTERNAL ADVISORS
Mark Bishop
Senior Investment Advisor
Mark Bishop serves as Senior Investment Advisor for Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, bringing decades of experience as an emerging markets investment banker focused on the global resources sector.
A specialist in complex cross border and frontier market financings, he has advised on transactions across agribusiness, transportation and logistics, mining, and upstream energy.
Mark is a founding partner and Board member of ACP Capital Markets and previously served as Managing Director at INTL FCStone Securities. He also co founded Provident Group, an emerging markets investment bank, and earlier held senior roles at Salomon Brothers overseeing U.S. and Latin American equities, including assignments in Buenos Aires.
He holds a BA from Brown University and maintains Series 7, 63, 24, and 79 licenses
D. Clay McCollor
External Legal Advisor
D. Clay McCollor serves as Outside Legal Counsel for Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, bringing more than fifteen years of experience leading complex domestic and international business transactions.
A former in house counsel for a Houston based investment bank and managing partner of a full service transactional law firm, Clay is known for his strategic judgment, steady leadership, and practical, cost effective solutions to sophisticated legal and commercial challenges.
His practice spans the full lifecycle of corporate operations, including entity structuring, mergers and acquisitions, securities, debt and equity offerings, commercial agreements, real estate, finance, construction, and business succession planning.
Adriana Casas
External Legal Advisor
Adriana Casas serves as Outside Legal Counsel for Carlson Ferrer International Holdings and is an accomplished corporate attorney with more than fifteen years of international legal experience across the United States and Latin America. Licensed in both New York and Colombia, she began her career at leading law firms in Bogotá and later served at Colombia’s Ministry of Communications, where she earned a national commendation for exemplary service.
Adriana spent six years at a top U.S. law firm in New York, where she was recognized by Latin Lawyer Magazine as one of the region’s top young attorneys. She later served as International Counsel and then General Counsel for a major heavy crude pipeline company in Ecuador before relocating to Texas. Her practice spans cross border M&A, project finance, debt restructuring, and general corporate advisory work. Trained in both Civil and Common Law systems, Adriana brings a sophisticated, multicultural perspective to complex transactional matters.
K&L Gates LLP
Outside Legal Counsel
K&L Gates LLP serves as outside legal counsel to Carlson Ferrer International Holdings, advising on cross border transactions and regulatory matters related to the firm’s oil and gas investments in Latin America. As one of the world’s largest integrated law firms—with nearly 2,000 lawyers across more than 45 offices—K&L Gates provides deep experience in energy, corporate, finance, and regulatory work. The firm’s global platform and multidisciplinary approach support the company’s strategic initiatives throughout the region, ensuring sophisticated guidance on complex, high value investment opportunities.
K&L Gates brings deep cross border capabilities and a multidisciplinary approach essential to navigating complex energy markets.
Ranked among the top 20 U.S. law firms by attorney headcount, K&L Gates combines global reach with sector specific insight. Its energy and infrastructure, corporate, finance, regulatory, and dispute resolution practices work in concert to advise investors, operators, and developers across the full lifecycle of oil and gas assets. The firm’s experience spans acquisitions, joint ventures, project development, financing, regulatory compliance, environmental matters, and cross border risk management.
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