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.

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.

Deborah Nicholson is a Chartered Engineer with extensive experience in refining, petrochemical, and chemical operations management. She has held senior roles with blue-chip companies and consultancies, excelling in operational excellence, asset due diligence, and cultural transformation. Currently leading operational excellence at Glencore Oil, she managed the restart of the Astron Energy Refinery, achieving remarkable safety and performance improvements. Deborah has significant expertise in capital investment, project management, and business integration, alongside a strong track record in leading diverse teams through operational challenges, plant closures, and cultural shifts. An MBA graduate with commercial acumen, she is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.

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.

Sal Bejar comes to Entara with more than 22 years of refined products trading experience. 

As VP of Renewables, Commercial Supply & Trading, Sal previously held leadership roles as the Head of Trading at Neste North America and Director of Jet Fuel Supply & Trading at Valero Energy.

He has the expertise in building and growing a profitable business while maintaining strong customer relationships. His extensive logistics background from his previous roles will be a benefit to our business growth. He is a motivated leader who has fostered an environment where his employees grow and excel. 

Sal received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Houston.

Xavier Lespinasse is a seasoned oil trader with over 24 years of experience in refining, trading, and risk management. A graduate of Sup’Aéro, he combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen. Xavier has held leadership roles at top firms like Mercuria, Hartree, and Socar Trading, excelling in refining economics, commodity trading, and crisis management. He specializes in optimizing refinery processes, blending, and trading light ends. Multilingual and skilled in fostering collaboration, Xavier is also a dedicated family man, judo black belt, triathlete, and beekeeper. With a proven track record of profitability and problem-solving, he thrives in dynamic, high-pressure environments.

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.

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.

Matthew drives corporate development and operations management through inspired leadership, analytical curiosity, and collaborative teamwork.

His refining industry success includes his role as Asset Performance Manager at Crossbridge Energy, where he implemented Asset Improvement Plans, managed strategic performance goals, and contributed to Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) due diligence.

Previously, he held various engineering and operations roles at Valero Energy and ExxonMobil, advancing to focus on Refinery Competitiveness.

Matthew is a multilingual professional fluent in English and Spanish, currently learning French. His dedication to professional growth and effective communication underscores his commitment to excellence in leadership and operational success.

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.

Dirk Schefer is a seasoned professional with 30 years of expertise in maintenance, turnarounds, and capital projects within the oil industry. Currently serving as Director of Maintenance & Turnarounds at Entara, Dirk brings a proven track record of leadership and a history of managing turnarounds exceeding $200 million. Known for promoting collaboration, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement, he has held key roles at AP-Networks and BP, where he standardized best practices and achieved sustainable results. With engineering and management credentials from The University of Manchester, SLV Duisburg, and Consulting RU, Dirk excels in driving operational excellence and delivering competitive outcomes.