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Todd Stevens
President & Chief Executive Officer 

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Prior to co-founding Black Knight Energy, Todd was President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of California Resources Corporation (NYSE “CRC”), California’s largest independent oil and natural gas producer for ~6.5 years.  Prior to CRC, he worked for 20 years in various management positions at Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE “OXY”) and most recently served as Vice President, Corporate Development.  During his career with Occidental, Todd led most of Occidental’s growth initiatives and his responsibilities included mergers and acquisitions, evaluating and developing finance-related strategic and business opportunities, restructuring alternatives and asset dispositions, land management activities and worldwide exploration activities.  He earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California after graduating from the United States Military Academy, West Point, with a Bachelor of Science degree leading to the beginning of his military service as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning and Fort Irwin.  Todd serves as a Director on the following boards:  EPIC Midstream Holdings, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, American Red Cross – Los Angeles Region, Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Foundation, Val Pac (San Fernando Valley Business Political Action Committee), USC Marshall School of Business Corporate Advisory Board, USC Viterbi School of Engineering Advisory Board, and as a member of the Executive Partners for the Master of Business for Veterans at USC.

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Darren Williams
Chief Operating Officer

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Prior to co-founding Black Knight Energy, Darren served as EVP – Exploration & Development and EVP – Operations of California Resources Corporation from 2014 until 2021. Darren was accountable for operations across a diverse, multi-basin portfolio as well the efficient delivery of value focused capital investment programs. Prior to joining CRC, Darren held a variety of, domestic and international, technical and leadership roles during a seventeen-year career at Marathon Oil, including establishing and leading their SCOOP/STACK development team in Oklahoma City. Darren earned a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from the University of Leicester and a Master of Science in Basin Evolution and Dynamics (Petroleum Geology) from Royal Holloway, University of London. 

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Elizabeth DeStephens
Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer

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Elizabeth has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry and has served in a lead technical capacity for more than $10 billion of transactions and financings. She was previously Vice President – Reserves & Corporate Development and Vice President – Strategic Analytics at California Resources Corporation. Prior to CRC, she had progressive technical and commercial roles with Occidental Petroleum, Raymond James, Ryder Scott, ExxonMobil and General Electric. Her interests in innovation, technology, and organizational efficiency have led to significant cost savings in organizations where she has served. Elizabeth serves on several private and non-profit boards, is an active angel investor in early-stage start ups and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, graduate engineering degree from the University of Houston, and MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

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Ryan Forrest

Vice President - Land & Business Development

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Prior to Black Knight Energy, Ryan led the New Energy Ventures program at California Resources Corporation where he was responsible for driving growth in CRC’s energy transition efforts. He has held progressive business development and commercial roles in the public and private sector focused on asset optimization, corporate strategy, alternative fuels, and renewables. Before entering the private sector, Ryan began his career in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain, leading support efforts for Operation Enduring Freedom and multiple humanitarian efforts throughout Africa and Central America. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Earth Resources from Texas Christian University and Master of Business for Veterans from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.  Ryan currently serves as a member of the Executive Partners for the Master of Business for Veterans program at the University of Southern California.

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David Brunnert
Vice President - Operations

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Prior to joining Black Knight Energy, David co-founded and led Confluence Energy Consolidated, an industrial services provider where his focus was on improving operations and developing new business lines.  David has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Key Energy Services and other senior leader roles at Franks International, Express Energy Services, and Weatherford International.  David is a named inventor on over 40 method and apparatus patents related to wellsite technology.  A graduate of Ranger School, David started his career as an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as platoon leader during Desert Shield/Storm.  David earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point, and a Master of Mechanical Engineering from The University of Houston.  He is a registered professional engineer in Texas. 

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