Swallow Group, LLC

OUR COMPANY VALUES

God has placed us in a unique position to touch the lives of people with various, unique needs. We take great satisfaction in the personal impact of our work, while recognizing the great responsibility. At The Swallow Group, we believe that all we are and all we have, including this business, is God's and we are merely stewards. Our ultimate goal is to honor Him in all we do.

We have assembled a staff of like-minded, experienced, and compassionate professionals. Together, we escort our clients through some of the most difficult times of life. Our purpose is to provide professional, comforting, and trustworthy service to those whom God directs into our care.

JOHN D. “JACK” SWALLOW, PRESIDENT

A lifelong resident of Midland, Texas, Jack Swallow has spent his career bringing people together to solve practical issues, to the benefit of everyone involved. Soon after obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Administrative Management from Texas Tech University in 1974, he started his career in the oil and gas business. Jack's responsibilities were researching ownership of surface and minerals, negotiating agreements that encouraged oil and gas development, and maintaining a cordial relationship with landowners and other industry professionals. Jack continues to manage his own oil and gas investments in Texas and New Mexico. He is a sought after consultant to advise and represent others in the lease negotiation process. He is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, the Permian Basin Landmen's Association, and the National Association of Royalty Owners.

In 1984, Jack and several other community leaders started what was to become the Permian Basin Area Foundation with a seed donation of $400,000. After a nationwide search, Jack agreed to put the growth of his oil and gas business on the back burner to serve as President and CEO, a position he enjoyed for 17 years. Managing the growth, investments, and distributions of the charitable foundation, Jack was able to match potential donors with worthy causes due to his close personal contacts in the philanthropic community. Under his guidance, the Foundation grew to over $50 million, benefitting the Permian Basin area of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico with an annual grants program of $5 million per year.

Jack represented the Permian Basin Area Foundation nationally by serving as a member of the Community Foundations Leadership Team of the Council on Foundations, and as a task force member on the Council on Foundations' Committee on Wealth and Commitment to Philanthropy. Regionally, Jack was a member of the Board of Directors of the Conference of Southwest Foundations, shouldering the responsibility of Chairman of the Annual Meeting Program Committee in 2000 and serving as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Jack was named Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the year in 2002 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Permian Basin Chapter in large part because of his role in coordinating the creation of the Non-Profit Management Center of the Permian Basin. Locally, he is a member and a past President of the Midland-Odessa Business and Estate Council.

Jack is a former member of the National Advisory Board of the Ranching Heritage Association in Lubbock, Texas and Community Advisor for the Junior League of Midland. He has a personal passion for persons with disabilities, translating his interest into volunteer roles with Bynum School and MARC. Jack is an active Elder and Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Midland, and a regular Sunday school teacher.

JULIA JOPLIN SWALLOW, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL

Julia Joplin Swallow has been a part of The Swallow Group, LLC since 2010.  She supervises the orderly onboarding of all matters into our office, and is actively involved in any probate or other legal matters involving our clients.

She is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico. She graduated with honors from Texas Tech University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish.  Julia earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.  During law school, she served two summers as a law clerk in the legal department of PEMEX (Petroleos Mexicanos) in Mexico City.

She is a former partner of the Texas and New Mexico law firm of Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor and Martin, LLP (which now operates under the name of Hinkle, Shanor, LLP).  In law practice, Julia focused her time and energy on oil and gas issues, in both litigation and transactional arenas.  She has successfully argued before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, advised corporations and individuals involved in the oil and gas industry, as well as examined title to oil and gas interests for drilling and division order purposes. She has handled probates and trusts for both small and large estates.

Julia is a current member of the Board of Governors of the Midland College Foundation, and the Parents Advisory Board of Samford University.  She has also served on the Board of Trustees of Midland Memorial Hospital, the Board of Trustees of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, and the Board Directors of the National Association of Royalty Owners – Texas chapter.