Exceptional knowledge, skills, and dedication have long been the hallmark of GPA Midstream members, who drive the energy sector forward. Since 2014, Hart Energy’s Oil and Gas Investor magazine has celebrated rising talent through its “Forty Under 40” list — an annual spotlight on a select group of young professionals shaping the future of our industry. These individuals exemplify the oil and gas industry’s legacy of performance while ensuring its future.
Selected from an array of sectors — exploration and production, services, acquisitions and divestitures, midstream, finance, and more — these honorees reflect the depth of talent across the industry. Their proven skills, innovative approaches, and leadership are fueling the evolution of the energy sector.
Oil and Gas Investor recently published the 2024 “Forty Under 40” list, representing a pool of professionals who are making a tangible difference for their employers and the industry. Among them are five standout professionals from GPA Midstream member companies:
- Jena Resnick, Antero Resources
- Ashi Geberkidane, BPX Energy
- Jake Hood, Brazos Midstream
- Adam Arthur, Energy Transfer
- Brian Halchak, Williams
Jena Resnick, Antero Resources
Jena Resnick is Director of Environmental & Regulatory Compliance at Antero Resources, a leading independent oil and gas producer in the Appalachian Basin. Antero focuses on liquids-rich targets in the Marcellus and Utica shales, two premier shale plays in North America.
Resnick holds both an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. With more than 15 years of experience in air quality, including positions at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Kinder Morgan, Resnick leads Antero’s compliance efforts under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. She also spearheads the company’s climate strategy, managing greenhouse gas and methane emission disclosures. Resnick’s journey into environmental compliance began unexpectedly through a college internship, sparking a lifelong career in air quality management.
“I didn’t know my job even existed while I was in college,” said Resnick. “I thought I’d probably end up doing chemistry in a lab or something like that. An internship requirement my junior year had me pick an opportunity around CO2 analyzers because it seemed interesting. It was the steppingstone into my air quality career of today. I now see endless opportunities in this industry, and they grow daily as the need for energy continues to increase.”
Ashi Geberkidane, BPX Energy
Ashi Geberkidane is Head of Performance Optimization at BPX Energy, BP’s U.S. oil and gas business. BPX manages world-class assets in the Permian and Eagle Ford basins in Texas and the Haynesville Basin, focusing on producing high-margin barrels while minimizing emissions.
Geberkidane holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering and Economics from the Colorado School of Mines. Since taking on his current role in 2023, he has been instrumental in enhancing performance across BPX’s operations, applying cutting-edge techniques to maximize efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of BPX’s activities.
"I’m passionate about working for companies that pioneer cutting-edge technologies and lead large-scale projects that shape energy," Geberkidane said. "I firmly believe that safely providing affordable, reliable energy is not just a commodity, but a catalyst for positive change in society that is increasingly in need of more energy.”
Jake Hood, Brazos Midstream
Jake Hood is Director of Finance at Brazos Midstream, which operates the largest privately held midstream platform in the Permian Basin. The company’s infrastructure includes over 1,200 miles of gathering pipelines across some of the most prolific producing regions in Texas.
Hood, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, has been with Brazos Midstream since 2018. Prior to joining Brazos, he held financial roles at Wells Fargo and Quanah Panhandle. Hood credits his success to strong mentors, including his uncle, Roy Patton, a seasoned midstream professional who instilled in him the value of building networks and continuous learning.
“I am lucky enough to have several mentors in my immediate family who are professionals in various sectors who have been tremendously helpful to me during my career evolution into this industry,” said Hood. “My uncle, Roy Patton, is an experienced midstream professional who taught me the value of a strong network and being the kind of person others want to be around. Despite having a commercial background, Roy is well-versed in technical details and through him I learned not to be afraid to ask the 'dumb' questions to geologists, engineers, and operations teams. This advice has been invaluable, because I’ve found this industry to be full of people with a willingness to teach and help others when you respectfully ask.”
Adam Arthur, Energy Transfer
Adam Arthur is Executive Vice President, Crude Oil, at Energy Transfer, a company that owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified energy asset portfolios in the United States. With over 130,000 miles of pipeline, Energy Transfer’s operations include natural gas midstream, crude oil transportation, natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation, and refined product infrastructure.
Arthur earned both an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over his 12-year tenure at Energy Transfer, he has held several key roles in business development and crude oil operations. His expertise continues to drive strategic growth within the company’s crude oil sector.
“It is an incredible honor to be included among this great group of professionals who are and will continue to offer so much to our industry in the coming years,” said Arthur. “I’m very thankful for the professional opportunities I have been afforded by Energy Transfer’s leadership and I’m excited for what lies ahead for our partnership and our industry. The energy industry is so important to our country, and it is a privilege be a part of it.”
Brian E. Halchak, Williams
Brian Halchak serves as Manager of Environmental Services for Williams in the greater Pittsburgh area. Williams, a leader in natural gas infrastructure, is advancing its Regional Energy Access expansion project, designed to increase access to affordable and clean natural gas in the Northeast while preparing for future renewable energy integration.
Halchak oversees a team responsible for Williams’ quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification (QMRV) program, and the development of NextGen Gas technologies. With degrees in geotechnical, civil, and geomatics engineering, Halchak has played key roles in various projects, including landslide susceptibility mapping and developing Williams’ unmanned aerial systems program.
"While at Penn State, I was in a program that allowed my pursuit of two degrees at the same time – surveying and civil engineering. I really hadn’t thought of a career in oil and gas, but a school employment-seeking exercise required applying for multiple jobs as practice,” said Halchak. "My dad recommended I send an application to Williams, because of his own positive interactions with people there through his related work. I ended up with two consecutive Williams’ internships, and then employment. It has been an ongoing awesome experience ever since.
"First I was a ‘dirt’ guy tied to drilling responsibilities in the northeast, and then all of the sudden I’m in an environmental role working on innovation solutions to emissions. That’s a great thing about midstream -- there’s a lot of opportunities for engineers to step up and out of their current comfort zones and move on to learn and do more at the next level. Getting to solve complex problems and help make our operations the best they can be are what make my job so great, and maybe come second only to seeing the drive and passion of my team and the people I work with every day.”
“These professionals exemplify how GPA Midstream member companies are not only shaping today’s industry but also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and efficient energy future,” said GPA Midstream President and CEO Sarah Miller. “There’s no better time for early-career professionals to join midstream, as they will have the chance to learn, develop, and deploy the ever-evolving technologies moving so rapidly into operations. With increasing global demand for reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy, the future is bright for midstream and the future generations of talented young people.”
Get involved and continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in midstream and beyond. Learn more about GPA Midstream’s initiatives and how to nominate next year’s “Forty Under 40” class by visiting GPA Midstream, GPSA, and Hart Energy.
