Lilis Energy Inc. (NasdaqGM: LLEX) appointed Nuno Brandolini and Robert Bell to its board of directors, the company said Feb. 13.

The appointments increased the board’s size to seven members, the company added.

"We welcome both Bob and Nuno to Lilis Energy's board of directors. Nuno's reputation in finance and Bob's extensive E&P operations background lend two timely pillars of expertise to our board," said W. Phillip Marcum, chairman of the board and CEO.

Brandolni, who is a director at Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG), is also a general partner of private-equity firm Scorpion Capital Partners LP, the company said.

"I am pleased to be joining Lilis Energy's board of directors, to help it achieve the company's business plan of developing its considerable and well-positioned DJ Basin leasehold assets," said Brandolini.

Prior to forming Scorpion Capital and its predecessor firm, Scorpion Holding Inc., in 1995, Brandolini was managing director of Rosecliff Inc., a leveraged buyout fund he co-founded in 1993, the company added.

Brandolini had been vice president of Salomon Brothers Inc.’s investment banking department, and a principal with the Batheus Group and Logic Capital, two venture capital firms, Lilis said.

He began his career as an investment banker with Lazard Freres & Co. (NYSE: LAZ) , the company added.

He holds a law degree from the University of Paris and an MBA from the Wharton School, the company added.

Bell is the president and CEO of Peak Operator LLC, a privately held, Southern California-based heavy oil operator.

Bell began in the industry in 1981, working at Exxon (NYSE: XOM) and Unocal, among other companies, Lilis said.

He was president of Plains E&P (PXP), president of Tri-Valley Oil & Gas and vice president of operations and co-owner of Bonanza Creek Oil & Gas (NYSE: BCEI).

He holds a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering from Penn State University, the company said.

"I am honored to join the Lilis board and eager to help drive their new leadership team and staff towards year-over-year continuous improvement in their high-quality oil and gas asset base, and in returns to
stakeholders, and helping to build and retain a high-performance team with a clear organizational mission," said Bell.

Denver-based Lilis Energy explores and produces the Denver-Julesburg Basin, where it holds 125,000 gross acres.