ASPEN MIDSTREAM - Key Persons


Badgett Munson

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Operations and Construction

Benjamin Kardell

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development
Benjamin brings corporate finance and transactional expertise to Aspen, having been involved in oil and gas transactions in multiple basins and regions, including the Midland & Delaware Basins, STACK/SCOOP, Eagle Ford, Barnett, Marcellus, Utica, the Gulf Coast and Mexico. During his tenure in the midstream energy industry, Benjamin has worked on 24 executed transactions totaling $16 billion, including: buy-side and sell-side M&A, leveraged buyouts, cross border transactions, project financings, joint ventures, senior note issuances, convertible preferred and equity financings. Prior to joining Aspen Midstream, Benjamin served in multiple positions for EnLink Midstream, including: mergers & acquisitions, business development, corporate finance/capital markets, corporate strategy and as a board observer for EnLink's interest in Howard Energy Partners. Previously, Benjamin began his career as an analyst with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Benjamin received a BBA in finance from Texas Christian University and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Bevo Beaven


Blayne Dowell - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Blayne's extensive finance and accounting experience spans multiple midstream business sectors and basins. Prior to Aspen Midstream, Blayne spent 11 years at EnLink Midstream and Crosstex Energy (EnLink's predecessor) in their Dallas and Houston offices. He held multiple leadership roles managing accounting for all facets of gas, NGL and crude businesses, which spanned multiple basins across Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. Blayne also led the accounting transition of multiple acquisitions and major greenfield projects during his tenure. Blayne received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

James Clarke - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
  • Co - Founder

Matt Ray - CEO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chief Executive Officer
  • Co - Founder
Matt Ray brings broad business development experience, having worked in several U.S. basins across multiple midstream business segments. He has negotiated grass roots agreements as well as managed commercial activity for gathering, processing and intrastate pipeline systems in the Barnett, Mid-Continent, Midland and Delaware basins. Prior to co-founding Aspen Midstream, Matt held a variety of positions at Energy Transfer Partners/Energy Transfer Equity (ETE), beginning in 2009. Most recently he served as director of business development at ETE. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin.

Matthew Cunningham

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Engineering
Matthew Cunningham brings nearly 20 years of experience in multiple basins, including the Haynesville, Bossier, North Cotton Valley, Cotton Valley and Barnett. His career in oil and gas has spanned the complete life cycle of midstream infrastructure. This includes the planning, engineering, project management, construction, and operation of intrastate pipelines, gas gathering systems, condensate gathering systems, processing & treating plants, and NGL pipeline systems. He has been involved in the planning of $1.5B of assets, and direct project management of $500MM of capital growth projects, with notable projects such as a 200mmscfd Cryo Plant & 500GPM treating facilities. Prior to joining Aspen Midstream, Matthew was Senior Manager of Ops Process Engineering for Energy Transfer Partners. In this role, he headed a team that provided engineering, project management, construction, and operational support for an asset area with capacities totaling 1.2BCF of gathering & processing, 1.2BCF of treating facilities, as well as an intrastate gas, condensate, and NGL pipeline network. He was also integrally involved in the evaluation, acquisition, and integration of $1.5B of assets. He previously held positions with increasing responsibilities at Regency Energy Partners, CDM Resources, J-W Gathering, and J-W Power. Matthew received of Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering from LeTourneau University.

Robert Underwood - CEO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chief Executive Officer
  • Co - Founder
Robert Underwood brings over 20 years of experience in managing the complete lifecycle of midstream capital growth projects to Aspen Midstream. He has successfully managed daily operations at pipeline facilities spanning multiple basins and has overseen the construction of intrastate and interstate pipelines, crude oil terminals, tankage and trucking facilities. Prior to co-founding Aspen Midstream, Robert worked at Energy Transfer Partners in several engineering roles, most recently as director of engineering. In that role, Robert guided other engineers and project managers, assigning projects, balancing workloads and helping his team coordinate with commercial groups to meet objectives. He was responsible for all aspects of capital growth projects, including estimates, system design, bidding, construction, commissioning and operations. Robert received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and minor in mathematics from Texas Tech University.

Stephen Reilly - Chief Commercial Officer, Founder

Job Titles:
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Co - Founder
Stephen brings over 23 years of industry experience to his role as Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to the formation of Aspen Midstream, Stephen gained six years of experience at Energy Transfer Partners and Regency Energy Partners. During this time, he rose from director to senior director of business development primarily negotiating transportation, gathering, treating, NGL and processing agreements covering large acreage positions in and around the North Louisiana and East Texas region. He was also instrumental in the evaluation and implementation of multiple acquisitions for the company. Prior to Regency, Stephen served for five years as senior manager of business development for Crosstex Energy. He also managed the project controls group at various field locations for Chicago Bridge and Iron. Stephen began his career at Koch Gateway Pipeline working in various marketing roles. Stephen received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Texas Tech University.