Our Heritage

LJ Stein & Company is headquartered precisely where America’s natural gas and oil industry began.

Just 24 miles to our north, William Hart dug America’s first commercial natural gas well in the shale walls of Canadaway Creek in the 1820s. Hart used hollowed out logs, tar and rags to construct the first commercial natural gas local distribution system in America. His well drove the early economic development of Fredonia, NY.

Forty miles to our south, Edwin Drake drilled the well that changed the world. His 1859 discovery near Titusville, PA brought America into the petroleum age.



Northern Appalachian oil and natural gas fueled America well into the 20th century. The development of the Marcellus and Utica shales is returning Northern Appalachia to center stage in America’s quest for energy.



Our company’s founder, Lee Stein, began helping oil and natural gas companies manage risk more than three decades ago. David Stein began working as a roustabout as soon as he was old enough to earn his driver’s license. 

As LJ Stein entered the 21st century, we were keenly aware of the changing insurance marketplace. It was no longer sufficient to act as a conduit for the placement of insurance; we knew that agents and brokers needed to demonstrate value to the supply chain to survive.

We are proud to contribute to America’s transition to the new energy economy as Northern Appalachia regains in prominence with the development of the Marcellus and Utica shales.

We believed then, as we believe now, that specialization holds the key to creating value. Trading breadth for depth, we began a process to narrow our focus.

We know that the safe, sustainable and responsible development of our indigenous natural resources is more than a business—it an obligation to our country and our children.

Our goal is to work with companies and individuals that share our passion and values.