Leadership Team

Nicholas’ previously held leadership roles include CEO of Crossbridge Energy Partners, CEO of Origin International Inc., Head of Residual Oils at Gunvor SA, and Head of Residual Oils at OW Bunker. Nicholas focuses on commercial strategy, operational excellence, and hydrocarbon recycling, allowing for key leadership in an energy transition landscape. Nicholas holds an M.A. in Law from Cambridge University.

As Chief Operating Officer, Derek Becht previously served as President at Becht, a global energy consultancy, achieving a 20% CAGR. Recognized for orchestrating six successful international acquisitions, he brings extensive expertise from pivotal roles in operations and technical capacities at three Valero Refineries. Holding a P.E. qualification, a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and an MBA from Indiana University, his strategic vision and multifaceted experience make him a dynamic leader in the energy industry.

Rodney Smith, Chief Financial Officer at Entara Partners, is a co-founder and partner at Pyxis Advisory Group, where he serves a global client base with mergers and acquisitions, finance and accounting restructure, commodities trading, risk management, technology start-up, and digital transformation. He is also a partner at Stancil & Co. where he specializes in the energy industry, supporting everything from mergers and project management to tax appraisals and regulatory issues in petroleum, biofuels, petrochemicals, and more. Most recent Rodney served as the Chief Financial Officer of Island Energy Services, an integrated logistics provider that safely and reliably sources from local and global suppliers to meet the daily energy needs of the State of Hawaii. Prior to that he served as Chief Financial Officer/Controller of Monroe Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Monroe is one of the largest refiners located in Northeast United States that is optimized for jet fuel production but also produces gasoline, diesel and home heating oil. With over 30 years of experience in energy and finance, Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Accounting from New Mexico State University, and an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso, Rodney Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at Entara Partners, driving strategic financial decisions and fostering sustainable growth for our company and our clients.

As Entara’s Chief Information Officer, Mr. Webster brings extensive expertise in the Energy Industry and in the disciplines of IT strategy, cybersecurity, operations.  His background is littered with leadership roles in private-equity-backed and F100 energy companies including Crossbridge Energy Partners and Leeward Renewable Energy. At MRE Consulting, he served as Chief Technology Officer, expanding the firm’s client base and securing strategic partnerships with major industry players. Stephen also founded StratITsphere Data Center Solutions, guiding its successful transition to private equity ownership. Recognized for his contributions to the IT industry, Stephen holds an MBA from the University of Houston and a BA in computer science from the University of Texas at Austin.

Peter Terenzio, Director of Global HR & Labor Relations, is a seasoned professional with a rich background in human resources. Notably, he managed HR and labor relations for 8,500 employees at Phillips 66 as HRBP Manager, Global Refining. His expertise extends from a prior role as HRBP Manager of Global Refining at ConocoPhillips. Armed with a B.A. in International Relations from Lehigh University, Terenzio brings a strategic and global perspective to the realm of human resources and labor relations.

Dean Maniatis, Director of Global HSE, is a distinguished leader in health, safety, and environmental practices. Recognized for his role as the global leader of HSE at Phillips 66, he achieved an outstanding 0.1 total recordable injury rate. With a background at Conoco/ConocoPhillips, Maniatis brings extensive experience to his position. He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and Environmental Science from Colorado State University, showcasing a strong foundation in the sciences, underpinning his commitment to HSE excellence.

Eric Hutchins, Vice President Strategy, is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in the refining industry. Previously VP of Refining at Solomon and VP of Technology at Hovensa, he also contributed his expertise as a consultant at Process Consulting Services. Equipped with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, Hutchins is a strategic leader shaping the industry’s future.

Matt Drake, Director of Commercial Asset Management, leads Entara’s Greenfield O&M business, and Lendor/ stakeholder relations and development for its renewables partnerships.

Matt co-founded Crossbridge’s O&M platform and has held leadership positions at ExxonMobil and KBR, including roles in Global Commercial Launch, Capital Projects, and Technology Licensing.

He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from Louisiana State University. His unique background and extensive network have allowed Matt to be a leader in renewables plant development.

Blake Arrington, Director of Renewables at Entara Partners, brings nearly four decades of experience in team building, cross-functional leadership, and construction management.

Prior to Entara, he was the Vice President and Manager of Renewable Operations at HF Sinclair, overseeing operations in Cheyenne, Parco, and Artesia. Blake dedicated over 35 years to HF Sinclair, including roles as Maintenance and Turn Around Manager and Refinery Operations Manager, and played a pivotal role in managing downstream oil and gas operations.

Starting a process operator, Blake has a well-rounded foundation in refinery operations, fossil and renewable fuels.

As Director of Mergers & Aquisitions, Walker’s primary responsibility is the origination, diligence, and execution of acquisition opportunities.

He has spent the past five years in the energy sector with Crossbridge, Kinder Morgan and Enviva in a variety of M&A, corporate development, and strategy roles.

Most recently Walker was Director of M&A and Corporate Development at Crossbridge Energy Partners where he focused on the acquisition of downstream refining assets in Europe and North America.  Additionally, Walker worked in leveraged finance at ING Bank for five years, where he worked primarily on middle market transactions in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors.

Patrick Darby is an accomplished leader with over three decades of experience in refining, commercial operations, and procurement. He has driven significant business improvements, including $650 million in annual margin gains through refining optimization and crude valuation strategies. Patrick’s expertise spans category management, market intelligence, and operational safety, having led major refinery operations at Phillips 66. He is also known for building high-performing, diverse teams and implementing transformative processes, consistently delivering top-tier financial, safety, and operational results.