Our management team has substantial industry experience. We have a strong culture supporting safety and environmental protection, and we strive to be a good partner and responsible operator.
Jason Hooten
President
Chief Operating Officer
Jason has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Red Willow since 2019. Jason has held various geoscience and leadership positions since joining the company in 2003, previously serving as Executive Vice President Onshore from 2015 to 2019. His tenure at Red Willow has involved technical contribution and oversight of a diverse variety of exploration projects, from Lower 48 resource plays in the Permian, Mid-Continent, and Rockies to conventional exploration in both the Onshore US and the Deepwater Gulf Of Mexico. Prior to joining Red Willow, Jason spent his early career in various geoscience positions, working in the greater Rockies for organizations such as Enervest Operating and the United States Geological Survey.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude in Geology from Fort Lewis College and a Master of Science, Distinction in Geology from Northern Arizona University
Richard L. (Rich) Smith
Executive Vice President – Offshore
Rich Smith joined Red Willow in November 2014 as Executive Vice President – Offshore and is responsible for the strategic direction and financial performance for the Company’s Deepwater Gulf of Mexico operations. Prior to joining Red Willow, Rich held similar Executive Vice President roles at Venari Resources and Stone Energy Corporation. Previously, he served as General Manager of Deepwater operations at Dominion Exploration & Production. Early in his career, Rich worked as a Geologist at Exxon, where he held various domestic and international management assignments.
Rich has more than 30 years of oil and gas experience and earned a Master of Science degree in Geology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Sciences, both from Texas A&M University. He has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Jamie Conway
Vice President of Engineering and Development
Jamie Conway joined Red Willow in February 2023 as Vice President of Engineering and Development. He is responsible for the engineering, development, and strategic planning associated with the Company’s San Juan Basin assets. In addition, Mr. Conway leads and supports the technical and strategic efforts focused on environmental, sustainability, and governance projects as well as related Energy Transition projects within Red Willow and other Growth Fund entities.
Prior to joining Red Willow, Mr. Conway began his career with the Kinder Morgan CO2 Company where he spent approximately 17 years in roles of increasing responsibility in various engineering and leadership positions supporting oil and gas development throughout West Texas and Southwestern Colorado.
Mr. Conway holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.
Dan Richardson
Chief Financial Officer
Daniel Richardson joined Red Willow in November 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for managing the finance, planning, risk management, accounting, marketing, contracts and administration functions for the company.
Dan has over 35 years of experience working in senior management roles for both public and private companies in the oil and gas exploration & production, energy services and biofuels industries. Prior to joining Red Willow, Dan most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Finance Advisor for Talos Energy Inc. and had previously worked for Knight Resources LLC, KIOR Inc., Forest Oil Corporation, The Houston Exploration Company, R&B Falcon Corporation and Cliffs Drilling Company during his career.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Houston. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Ember Michel
Director of Environmental, Health and Safety
Ember Michel joined Red Willow in August 2016 and is responsible for Environmental Health and Safety of all Red Willow assets. Ms. Michel’s team is accountable for fostering Red Willow’s safety culture, promoting environmental stewardship, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Ms. Michel has been working in environmental, health, and safety disciplines in the oil and gas industry since 2007. She started her career with Kinder Morgan as the Corporate Safety and Security Supervisor and then accepted a new challenge as the Regional Health, Safety, Security, Environmental and Community Manager for Trafigura. Ms. Michel joined the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in 2013 and Red Willow in 2016.
Ember earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.
Travis Taylor
Director of Operations
Travis serves as Director of Operations for Red Willow and is responsible for managing the daily activities for all operated San Juan Basin production. Mr. Taylor’s team is accountable for Production, Automation, Gas Measurement and Maintenance. Mr. Taylor began his career with Red Willow in December 1996 as one of the company’s first lease operator trainees. Travis held various positions within Red Willow before leaving in January of 2011 as the Production Superintendent. He spent the next seven years working for a drilling and well servicing company in a managerial position, returning to Red Willow in January 2018. Travis has over 25 years of experience with upstream operations.
Mr. Taylor has served on the State of Colorado and Southern Ute Tribe Air Quality Commission and is a current Board Member of the Western States and Tribal Nations Natural Gas Initiative.