New York-based investment firm Pine Brook opened a Houston office, the company said April 23.

"Pine Brook professionals spend a great deal of time in Houston," said Rich Aube, managing director of Pine Brook's energy investment team.

"We have a strong network of management teams, investors and advisors in and around the area, so opening a Houston office is a logical next step in our firm's expansion," he added.

The Houston office will help the company support its current and future investments in the region, Pine Brook said. The investments include Common Resources III LLC, Green Bancorp. Inc., GR Energy Services Holdings LLC, Community Trust Financial Corp. and Stonegate Production Co. LLC, the company added.

Michael McMahon, Richard Stoneburner, Martin Houston and Claire Harvey will staff the office, Pine Brook said, noting that McMahon is a founding partner and the firm’s managing director. Stoneburner and Houston are senior advisors, and Harvey is a vice president on the energy investment team, Pine Brook added.

McMahon has about 40 years’ experience in energy investing and advising, the company said, noting that he has represented Pine Brook as the director of Forge Energy LLC and other companies.

Stoneburner, who joined Pine Brook in 2013, has more than 35 years’ experience as a geologist, the company said.

Houston has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy industry, and joined Pine Brook from BG Group Plc, the company said.

Harvey joined Pine Brook from TPH Partners, where she worked in energy sector investments, the company said, noting that TPH Partners is an affiliate of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.

"The Texas economy has been booming over the last several years," said William Spiegel, founding partner and managing director of Pine Brook's financial services investment team.

"Having a permanent presence in Houston allows our investment teams to take an even more active role in a region where we see continued opportunity to make great business building investments," he added.

Pine Brook's Houston office is located at 1301 McKinney St., Suite 3550.

Pine Brook serves energy and financial services businesses with various equity investments.