Sandel, a native of Farmington, is the third generation of his family to help lead a business that includes five oil and gas contractors and associated vertically integrated businesses, which have operated in New Mexico since 1963. Sandel also has served on the Farmington City Council, as chairman of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, vice-chair of the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool, vice-chair of the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange and as a member of the New Mexico Economic Development Commission.  He currently serves on the board of NMOGA and is a member of the New Mexico Methane Advisory Panel. Sandel is a graduate of the University of New Mexico.