About

One could say that Grizzly’s Principal, W.H. “Wink” Kopczynski, III, CPL, RWA, has “oil in his blood.” Wink grew up around the oil and gas industry, as his grandfather and father, Wink Sr. and Wink Jr., both had long and successful careers as petroleum engineers, and he has family members working as landmen, geologists, oil and gas accountants, and in various other industry support roles. Wink spent much of his childhood “on location” throughout Oklahoma and Texas – he even learned to drive at the age of nine on lease roads. His unique upbringing immersed him in the field and provided him invaluable knowledge, experience, and problem-solving abilities that he now draws on to assist in the development of full-scale projects.

The name “Grizzly” was derived from an expression often cited by Wink’s grandfather; that phrase, “If you’re going to be a bear, be a Grizzly”, was Wink Sr.‘s way of expressing his belief that life and work should be approached with an “all in, all the time” attitude, and that nothing should be done half-way.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a B.B.A. in Energy Management and Marketing and a Minor in Economics, Wink worked as a Land Manager and Business Development Manager for an independent oil and gas E&P firm, overseeing the acquisition and development of over 300,000 net acres in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and California, and managed over $1.6 billion in asset sales, as well as over $600 million in acquisitions. Wink left New Gulf in 2016 and began his consulting career, during which he has managed over 125 Landmen and 25 Land Techs while deploying over $125 million of client capital directly into the acquisition and development of oil and gas leasehold interests and renewable energy projects throughout the Continental United States.

Wink served as President of the Tulsa Association of Petroleum Landmen (TAPL) in 2017-2018 and was honored as the TAPL’s Landman of the Year in 2022. He was also honored as one of Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2020, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Saint Simeon’s Foundation.

Wink has been married to his wife, Hannah, for over 10 years and they have two children, Grace Anne and Wink IV.

Wink believes in a “boots on the ground” approach to business and prides himself in being as comfortable around a drilling rig as he is in a courthouse or an office.