Summit Midstream Partners boasts a leadership team rich in experience and deep industry knowledge. A significant portion of this team brings valuable expertise honed at Crestwood Midstream Partners, a key player in the midstream sector. This article explores the backgrounds of Summit Midstream’s leaders, highlighting their connections to Crestwood Midstream and the wealth of experience they bring to their current roles.
J. Heath Deneke – President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
J. Heath Deneke assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at Summit Midstream in September 2019, and was appointed Chairman of the Board in May 2020. His leadership is pivotal to Summit Midstream’s strategic direction and operational excellence.
Mr. Deneke’s extensive midstream experience is significantly shaped by his tenure at Crestwood Equity Partners. Most recently before joining Summit, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the Office of the Chairman at Crestwood Equity Partners. In this capacity, he held comprehensive responsibility for the commercial development and operations of Crestwood’s diverse midstream assets. These assets spanned key North American basins including the Bakken, Barnett, Fayetteville, Marcellus, Powder River, and Permian, showcasing his broad operational expertise across various shale plays and resource types. His deep understanding of these regions and operational complexities is invaluable to Summit Midstream.
Earlier in his Crestwood career, Mr. Deneke was Chief Operating Officer and President of Crestwood’s Pipeline Services Group, and prior to that, President of Natural Gas Business Unit for Crestwood’s general partner. His progression within Crestwood Midstream Partners demonstrates a consistent rise in leadership and responsibility. Before the Inergy/Crestwood merger, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Legacy Crestwood. Mr. Deneke’s career also includes significant experience at El Paso Corporation and its affiliates starting in 1996, where he managed over $8 billion in expansion projects as Vice President of Project Development and Engineering for the Pipeline Group. He also held key roles in marketing, asset optimization, business development, and strategy at El Paso subsidiaries like Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company and Southern Natural Gas Company.
Mr. Deneke’s academic foundation is in Mechanical Engineering, holding a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. His industry engagement extends to board memberships with Bay West Environmental and Bradford Airport Logistics, and he is a member of the Houston Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, reflecting his continued involvement and leadership within the business community.
Hugo Guerrero – Senior Vice President, Engineering and Operations
Hugo Guerrero joined Summit Midstream in 2020 as Senior Vice President, Engineering and Operations, bringing over 30 years of oil and gas industry experience to the company’s operational leadership.
Prior to Summit Midstream, Mr. Guerrero held the position of Senior Vice President of Technical Services at Crestwood Midstream Partners. This role was broad in scope, encompassing critical functions such as System Planning, Project Execution & Controls, Supply Chain, Operations Engineering, Asset Integrity, Instrumentation & Electrical (I&E), and Measurement, SCADA, Land, and Permitting. His extensive responsibilities at Crestwood highlight his deep expertise in the technical and operational facets of midstream operations. His experience directly translates to enhancing Summit Midstream’s operational efficiency and project execution capabilities.
Before his tenure at Crestwood, Mr. Guerrero spent eight years at CH2M HILL, leading and growing their Pipelines & Terminals market segment across the Americas, including significant projects in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. His early career began at an oil and gas engineering firm in Southern California, where he spent 12 years in roles of increasing responsibility.
Mr. Guerrero’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona and graduation from the Project Management Program at the University of California, Irvine. He is also a U.S. Army Field Artillery veteran, having served in Germany and the Middle East during Desert Storm, demonstrating his commitment and disciplined approach to leadership.
Matt Sicinski – Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Matt Sicinski has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Summit Midstream since February 2022. He is responsible for overseeing all accounting functions, ensuring the financial integrity and reporting accuracy of the company. Mr. Sicinski initially joined Summit in February 2020 as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.
Before joining Summit Midstream, Mr. Sicinski was Vice President and Controller at Venari Resources. His prior experience also includes multiple accounting, finance, and commercial development roles at Southwestern Energy. Mr. Sicinski’s foundation in accounting is robust, with over seven years in public accounting at Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young in Houston. He was a manager in Ernst & Young’s assurance practice, indicating his expertise in financial audits and compliance.
Mr. Sicinski holds both Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees in Accounting from Angelo State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. His service extends beyond the corporate world; he is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve and a veteran of the Afghanistan War, reflecting his dedication and leadership qualities.
James Johnston – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
James Johnston joined Summit Midstream in September 2020 as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. He leads the legal and compliance functions of the company, ensuring ethical and lawful operations.
Mr. Johnston’s move to Summit Midstream followed a significant tenure at Crestwood Equity Partners. He most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Crestwood Equity Partners. Prior to this, he was Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Crestwood, indicating a consistent leadership role within their legal department. His extensive experience at Crestwood Midstream Partners provides a strong foundation in midstream legal and compliance matters.
Before joining Crestwood in 2013, Mr. Johnston spent a considerable part of his career at Kinder Morgan, El Paso Corporation, and Sonat, Inc., from 1997 to 2013. His roles at these companies included Assistant General Counsel for Kinder Morgan and various legal and commercial positions of increasing responsibility.
Mr. Johnston holds a bachelor’s degree from Western University in Ontario, Canada, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. His legal expertise and deep industry background are crucial for navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the midstream sector.
Bill Mault – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bill Mault has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Summit Midstream since February 2022. He is responsible for the overall financial strategy and management of the company. Mr. Mault joined Summit in 2016 and has held several senior management roles, including Vice President of Corporate Development, Finance, and Treasurer. He also serves on the board of CorEnergy, further demonstrating his industry involvement.
Prior to Summit Midstream, Mr. Mault spent nearly a decade in mergers & acquisitions and investment research. Most recently, he was at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (now Truist Securities). His background includes over 10 years of oil and gas industry experience, providing him with a deep understanding of the financial dynamics within the energy sector.
Mr. Mault is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking, Finance, and Economics from Northwood University. His financial acumen and experience in investment and M&A are vital for Summit Midstream’s financial health and strategic growth.
Board of Directors – Strategic Governance and Industry Insight
Summit Midstream Partners benefits from a highly experienced Board of Directors, providing strategic governance and diverse industry perspectives.
Jerry Peters, Director
Jerry L. Peters has been a director of Summit Midstream since September 2012 and chairs the Audit Committee. He also serves on the Conflicts Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. His extensive financial background includes serving as Chief Financial Officer of Green Plains, Inc. from 2007 to 2017 and various senior management roles at ONEOK Partners, L.P., including CFO and Chief Accounting Officer. His early career was with KPMG LLP as a certified public accountant. Mr. Peters holds an MBA from Creighton University and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
Lee Jacobe, Director
Lee Jacobe has been a director since April 2019 and chairs the Compensation Committee, also serving on the Audit Committee. He is currently an executive with Manchester Energy, LLC. His investment banking career includes roles at Barclays Investment Banking – Energy Group, Lehman Brothers, and Wasserstein Perella & Co., with significant experience in midstream coverage and energy finance. Mr. Jacobe holds a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Robert McNally, Director
Robert McNally has served as a director since May 2020 and is a member of the Audit Committee. He is currently Chief Growth Officer for Eco Material Technologies and a director at PERMA-PIPE International Holdings, Inc. His executive experience includes roles as President and CEO of EQT Corporation and CFO of both EQT Corporation and Precision Drilling Corporation. Mr. McNally holds degrees from University of Illinois, Knox College, and Tulane University Freeman School of Business.
Marguerite Woung-Chapman, Director
Marguerite Woung-Chapman has been a director since May 2020 and chairs the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee, also serving on the Compensation Committee. She previously served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., and held various roles at EP Energy Corporation and El Paso Corporation. Ms. Woung-Chapman holds degrees from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center.
James Cleary, Director
James Cleary has been a director since June 2020 and lead independent director since January 2022. He serves on the Compensation Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. He is a Managing Director at Global Infrastructure Partners. His prior experience includes leadership roles at El Paso Corporation and Sonat Inc., including President of Western Pipelines and ANR Pipeline Company. Mr. Cleary holds degrees from the College of William & Mary and Boston College Law School.
Rommel M. Oates, Director
Rommel M. Oates was appointed director in February 2022. He is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Oates Energy Solutions LLC and Refinery Calculator Inc., and a board member of Suburban Propane Partners. He is an expert in hydrogen energy and holds 18 patents in the field. His prior experience includes roles at Praxair Inc. (now Linde) and True North Venture Partners. Mr. Oates holds degrees from Tulane University and the University of Miami.
Jason Downie, Director
Jason Downie was appointed to the Board on December 2, 2024. He is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Tailwater Capital. His investment experience includes roles at HM Capital and Rice, Sangalis Toole and Wilson, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He holds board positions at several midstream companies. Mr. Downie holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin.
Edward Herring, Director
Edward Herring was appointed to the Board on December 2, 2024. He is also a co-founder and Managing Partner at Tailwater Capital. His prior experience includes HM Capital and Goldman Sachs. He serves on the boards of numerous energy companies. Mr. Herring holds degrees from Harvard Business School and Stanford University.
Stephen Lipscomb, Director
Stephen Lipscomb was appointed to the Board on December 2, 2024. He is a Partner at Tailwater Capital. His prior experience includes Crestwood Equity Partners as Senior Director, Brazos Private Equity Partners, and JPMorgan. Mr. Lipscomb holds degrees from the University of Texas and Washington and Lee University. His Crestwood Midstream Partners experience adds further connection to the company’s leadership background.
Drew Winston, Director
Drew Winston was appointed to the Board on December 2, 2024. He is a Principal at Tailwater Capital. His prior experience includes Sage Midstream, Austin Ventures, and Simmons and Company International. Mr. Winston holds degrees from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and Texas A&M University.
Conclusion
Summit Midstream Partners’ leadership team represents a blend of deep industry experience and strategic vision. The strong presence of individuals with backgrounds at Crestwood Midstream Partners, particularly within the executive ranks, highlights a foundation of proven expertise in midstream operations, commercial development, and legal and financial management. This wealth of experience positions Summit Midstream for continued success and strategic growth in the dynamic energy landscape.
