Our Leadership

Ellen K. Ramsey

Executive Director

Ellen K. Ramsey is Executive Director of the Permian Road Safety Coalition, partner of Ramsey
Petroleum, LP, and civic volunteer. She is a 2016 Gubernatorial appointee to the Humanities Texas
Board and was reappointed in 2023 and 2024, she serves as Public Program chair and Grants committee member. She also serves on the boards of the Midland Chamber of Commerce, Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, is a Junior League of Midland Sustainer and PTA Lifetime member.

Ellen was featured in the 2017 Midland Reporter Telegram “52 Faces”, 2018 recipient of the Centers for Children and Families “Ibby” award and 2022 recipient of the Rosalind Redfern Library Benefactor Award, all recognitions for community service.

She has served on the Boards for the Midland County Public Library Foundation, Midland Habitat, George W. Bush Childhood Home, Pink the Basin, Midland County Republican Party, I-20 Wildlife Preserve, City of Midland Hotel/Motel Tax and 2023-24 Women for Nikki Haley state chair team.

She previously was Community Relations Director for Norfleet Strategies and District Director for State Senator Kel Seliger. Ramsey attended Baylor University and earned a BA in sociology from The University of Texas Permian Basin.

She and her husband, Midland County Commissioner Scott Ramsey, have two children and one son in law.

Michael Smith

Managing Director

Michael Smith is a founder of the Permian Road Safety Coalition (PRSC). He helped guide the PRSC from an idea, to the humble beginnings of an ad-hoc committee, and then to what it is today – the leading voice for road safety in the world’s largest energy production region.

He currently serves as Managing Director of the PRSC. In this capacity, Mike oversees the financial, legal, and regulatory affairs of the not-for-profit organization.

Deirdre Skaggs

Programs Director

Deirdre Skaggs was initially called upon in 2016 to provide branding concepts as the unstructured group began to take shape.  In 2019, following the official formation of the PRSC as a non-profit, she was tasked with executing a variety of road safety events and initiatives.

Deirdre currently holds the position of Programs Director, consistently delivering successful programs and projects on time and within budget. She prioritizes Sponsor satisfaction and has cultivated a reputation as a trusted partner to stakeholders throughout the Permian.

Claire Bacon

Social Media Manager / Administrative Assistant

Claire Bacon is the social media manager and administrative assistant for the PRSC. In addition to creating content for social media channels and newsletters, she also spearheads collaborative media campaigns with organizations around the Permian Basin to raise awareness for driving safety.