At Blackstone, we believe the future of energy lies at the intersection of geology and advanced data analytics.

Mr. Russell Frommer, is a highly accomplished geologist who brings over 20 years of excellence to our operations team.

His career spans the major unconventional basins of the US—including the Permian, DJ, Powder River, and Williston—where he has actively geosteered horizontal wellbores using leading platforms like StarSteer, SES, and WellDirect.

Russell’s expertise goes beyond the curve; he is a department builder and operational leader. Previously serving as a Geosteering Department Manager, he supported rapid organizational growth of 20%, expanding his team from 2 to 12 geologists to meet workforce demands. He is deeply committed to the human element of operations, having personally trained more than 30 incoming logging geologists.

Adding to an already impressive skillset, Russell possesses a diverse background that ranges from environmental paleontology and slope stability analysis to geothermal exploration, where he served as a lead core logging geologist for the FORGE Program.

His ability to bridge the gap between high-level subsurface modeling in Petrel and Spotfire and the real-time demands of the drilling rig makes him a vital asset to Blackstone as we push the boundaries of exploration.

At Blackstone, we execute projects with a level of rigor that separates success from failure.

We are proud to welcome Kurt Anderson, a Senior Wellsite Geologist whose career is defined by high-stakes technical precision and safety leadership.

Kurt is a multi-disciplinary expert who applies a unique lens to exploration. A graduate of The University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Geology, Kurt also holds an Associate degree in Aviation Science. This dual background as an Exploration Geologist and an avid Pilot allows him to bring rigorous attention to detail and vast field experience to our most challenging projects.

Kurt’s geological expertise is expansive, covering standard mud logging, geosteering, and coring supervision in conventional and tight reservoirs from Texas to Alaska. He possesses deep technical proficiency in Mass Spectrometry, gas chromatography, and pressure detection. Notably, his experience includes serving as a Data and Fluids Engineer for ultra-deep projects (24,000+ ft) and offshore operations in the Gulf of America and Hibernia.

What sets Kurt apart is his uncompromising approach to safety and logistics, honed through his time as a Chief Instructor Pilot and Flight Safety Officer. Having managed a 26-aircraft fleet and implemented training programs leading to zero incidents/accidents, Kurt translates aviation-grade safety protocols to the rig floor.

At Blackstone, Kurt bridges the gap between complex drilling fluid dynamics and operational safety, ensuring our projects land on target every time.

At Blackstone, we value leaders who understand the life of a well from every angle—from the initial spud to the production tank.

We are proud to welcome Blake Tillman, a geologist whose career is defined by relentless progression and operational grit.

Blake is a modern operator with an old-school work ethic. His journey began at the wellhead, where he pumped leases to self-fund his education at Midwestern State University. This foundational experience gave him a unique appreciation for the economics of production. He quickly moved from working conventional wells along the Eastern Shelf to managing complex operations on major rigs in the Permian, Delaware, and Midland Basins, eventually rising to trainer and team lead positions.

Blake’s expertise is not just operational; it is regulatory. During the industry downturn, he served as a Field Inspector for the Railroad Commission of Texas, gaining critical insight into compliance and state regulations.

Most recently, Blake served as the Powder River Basin Coordinator for Terra Guidance, overseeing regional operations. At Blackstone, Blake brings this diverse experience to ensure our projects are drilled efficiently, compliantly, and successfully.

At Blackstone, we believe that effective leadership must be rooted in operational reality.

We are proud to announce the appointment of Jonathan Tipton to our Board of Directors, adding a layer of strategic oversight backed by deep field experience.

Jonathan is a modern energy leader who bridges the gap between the boardroom and the rig floor. While he joins us following a successful tenure at Aerostar SES and serving as a Consulting Geologist since 2019, his perspective is shaped by a career that began with the fundamentals.

His background is a rare combination of academic rigor and "roughneck" grit. A double-graduate holding an M.S. in Geophysics from Texas A&M and a B.S. in Geology & Geophysics from The University of Houston, Jonathan possesses the high-level technical understanding required to guide Blackstone’s future. Yet, his extensive background in petroleum geosciences is grounded in a wide range of hands-on laboratory, environmental, and field experience.

Jonathan’s addition to the board ensures that Blackstone’s strategic direction remains aligned with the technical and physical realities of our industry.

At Blackstone, we know that the next major discovery won't just come from a drill bit, but from an algorithm.

We are proud to welcome Anthony Byron Reifschneider, a multidisciplinary geoscientist and IT specialist who bridges the critical gap between earth science and digital infrastructure.

Anthony is a modern innovator who redefines the technical limits of exploration. A Cum Laude graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with an M.S. in Energy Geosciences, Anthony has spent over 12 years working with industry giants like ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Devon Energy, and Repsol.

His expertise is not limited to interpreting stratigraphy; he builds the very systems that analyze it.

An expert in the digital transformation of the oilfield, Anthony has developed Machine Learning models using TensorFlow to automate raster log classification and innovated horizontal landing zone auto-calculation processes

His drive for efficiency is proven: at Chevron, he developed a probabilistic volume workflow that was 180 times faster than previous methods, saving significant technical resources.

Beyond his technical prowess, Anthony brings a unique entrepreneurial spirit.

As the founder of a successful live events company, he has managed budgets, logistics, and large-scale operations, proving his ability to lead diverse teams in high-pressure environments.

At Blackstone, Anthony will leverage his dual mastery of geoscience and information technology to drive our most complex data initiatives.