EV Energy Partners (EVEP) CEO and President Mark A. Houser is resigning effective at the end of February to become CEO of the University Lands Office in Texas. The office oversees 2.1 million acres of the Permanent University Fund (PUF), a sovereign wealth fund that directs monies to two public education systems only, the University of Texas (UT) and Texas A&M University. The PUF now manages more than $6 billion generated from exploration/exploitation, with investment income used to upgrade university programs. Houser would remain on the Houston-based master limited partnership’s board. CFO Michael E. Mercer, who has been with EVEP and EnerVest Ltd., the general partner, since EVEP’s public launch in 2006, is taking over as CEO/president effective March 1 and has been appointed to the board. Mercer was an investment banker for 12 years; he holds a bachelor’s degree from UT at Austin and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. Director of Finance Nicholas P. Bobrowski has been promoted to CFO. EnerVest President Ken Mariani also was named to the board.