Our People
Meet the experienced team driving Kentex Energy USA's success in sustainable oil and gas operations.
Sam Spicer
President & CEO
As Principal/Owner of various energy companies over the past 35+ years, Mr. Spicer's companies have generated more than $2 billion in incremental enterprise value. He was a founding shareholder of three Texas banks, including Sovereign Bank of Texas with $1.1 billion in assets (former Director & Vice-Chairman of Sovereign) and was a founding member of Ajax Resources. Ajax acquired the Permian Basin assets of W & T Offshore for $376 million in 2015 and sold them in October 2018 for $1.245 billion to Diamondback Energy. Mr. Spicer holds an Accounting degree from Texas Tech University.
Jim Linville
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Linville has more than 35 years of experience as a petroleum engineer, with 20-plus years in a management position with focus on field operations. Mr. Linville served for seven years with Devon Energy (Operations Manager) in the Rockies, and he has experience in drilling, completions, workovers, acquisitions and divestitures. Mr. Linville received a B.S. in Engineering from New Mexico Tech and a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Marshall University.
Alex Pearson
Vice President of Finance
Mr. Pearson's responsibilities include spearheading Kentex Energy USA's acquisitions team, overseeing financial and accounting operations, and providing strategic guidance around company growth. After graduating from the University of Texas - Austin, Mr. Pearson immediately started in the energy industry as an M&A Analyst for a small independent, performing DCA, developing valuation models, and conducting due diligence reviews on over $2.5 billion of acquisition price recommendations. In addition to his financial role, Mr. Pearson manages IT operations for Kentex Energy USA, leveraging a self-taught background in machine learning and software development to implement efficient systems and data-driven solutions.
Jim Osborn
Vice President of Land
Mr. Osborn has served as Land Manager/VP-Land for a variety of E&P Companies. With more than 50 years in the industry, he has filled Committee Chairman and leadership roles in the American Association of Professional Landmen (CPL) and was Past President of the North Texas Energy Council. Mr. Osborn has served as an Independent Consultant for a number of companies, including Atmos Energy Corp. and ALCOA Aluminum Company. Non-industry experience includes being Former Assistant to the Mayor, City of Indianapolis and U.S. Senator for Indiana. During that period, Mr. Osborn was named Man of the Year for the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University.
Nathan Langhenry
Controller
Mr. Langhenry earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin specializing in financial reporting and assurance. After graduating, Mr. Langhenry earned his CPA certification and served with KPMG as an associate and senior associate in the audit practice with a primary focus on real estate, private equity, and financial services. This provided experience with fair value modeling over a wide range of asset classes as well as risk assessment over reporting procedures to ensure US GAAP and PCAOB compliance. He serves as the Accounting Specialist for Kentex Energy USA overseeing accounting procedures and reporting.
Robb Thiel
Field & Plant Foreman
A lifelong resident of Worland with strong ties to the community, Robb has a mechanical background with 14+ years in the oil and gas industry, the last 9 with this facility. He spends his free time at the lake or in the mountains.
Gary Ahrens
Geoscience Consultant
Mr. Ahrens received a BS in Physics from Santa Clara University in 1973 and a MS in Geosciences from the University of Arizona in 1976. He has over 48 years of E&P experience in both conventional and unconventional oil and gas plays in the Lower 48 and offshore Gulf Coast regions of the United States. Mr. Ahrens founded his company, EPIC Exploration, L.L.C., in 1993 with an emphasis on advanced workstation-based exploration and drilling technologies in an effort to reduce risks and enhance exploration efficiency. Prior to EPIC, Mr. Ahrens served as Exploration Manager for Cox Exploration, Inc., Division Geophysicist for MGF Oil Corporation, District Geophysicist for Texaco, Inc. and Geophysicist for Minerals Exploration Company (a subsidiary of Union Oil Company). Mr. Ahrens is an emeritus member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.