Management Team
Executive Vice Presidents
Vice Presidents
About Us
Living Our Core Values
Our core values are the lens through which we make every business decision.
Domenic J. “Nick” Dell’Osso, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2021. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since November 2010. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake’s wholly owned midstream subsidiary Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P. from August 2008 to November 2010.
Before joining Chesapeake, Mr. Dell’Osso was an energy investment banker with Jefferies & Co. from 2006 to 2008 and Banc of America Securities from 2004 to 2006.
He graduated from Boston College in 1998 and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003.
Benjamin E. Russ
Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Benjamin E. Russ was appointed Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in June 2021. Prior to that time, he served as Associate General Counsel – Corporate from May 2014 to June 2021; Division Counsel/Senior Division Counsel managing day-to-day legal matters in the Barnett, East Texas and Louisiana from July 2010 to May 2014; and Attorney/Senior Attorney managing litigation in Louisiana from September 2008 to July 2010.
Before joining Chesapeake, Mr. Russ worked at Gulfport Energy Corporation serving as Assistant General Counsel from 2005 to 2006 and General Counsel from 2006 to 2008. Prior to Gulfport, he was an associate at the McKinney & Stringer, P.C.
Mr. Russ received a B.S. in Finance from Oklahoma State University in 1996 and his J.D. from Oklahoma City University in 2004.
Mohit Singh
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mohit Singh was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in December 2021. For the last six years, Mr. Singh has served on the executive leadership team at BPX Energy, the United States onshore subsidiary of BP. He most recently led the M&A, corporate land and reserves functions, having previously served as Head of Business Development and Exploration and as Senior Vice President – North Business Unit. Prior to joining BPX, Mr. Singh worked as an investment banker focused on oil and gas transactions for RBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs.
A chemical engineer by training, he began his career at Shell Exploration & Production Company where he held business planning, reservoir engineering and research engineering roles of increasing importance.
Mr. Singh earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, an MBA from the University of Texas and a BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Josh J. Viets
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Josh J. Viets was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2022. He most recently served as the Vice President, Delaware Basin in the Permian Basin Business Unit for ConocoPhillips.
Mr. Viets began his career with ConocoPhillips in 2002, working in a variety of technical and leadership roles in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. He has held leadership positions in operations, engineering, subsurface and asset management. Earlier in his career, he worked as a reservoir and production engineer supporting a diverse set of assets across the ConocoPhillips portfolio.
Mr. Viets earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 2001.
Chris Ayres
Vice President – Investor Relations & Treasurer
Chris Ayres joined Chesapeake in 2022 as Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer, where he oversees the company’s investor engagement, communications and corporate treasury functions, including capital raising, cash management and hedging. Prior to Chesapeake, he was a mergers and acquisitions investment banker at Evercore in Houston, London and Dubai, advising public energy companies.
Mr. Ayres attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering.
Tim Beard
Vice President – Drilling, Completions & Facilities
Tim Beard was named Vice President of Drilling, Completions and Facilities in 2022. He joined Chesapeake in 2006 as an asset manager, having previously worked at both Burlington Resources and ConocoPhillips.
Mr. Beard earned a mechanical engineering degree from Texas Tech University.
John Christ
Vice President – Chief Information Officer
John Christ was named Vice President, Chief Information Officer in 2021. Mr. Christ is responsible for developing and implementing information technology (IT) strategy, leveraging emerging technologies to improve operational performance, and supporting the timely integration of acquired companies. This is his second leadership role at Chesapeake, having previously served as Vice President of Internal Audit and Supply Chain. Mr. Christ also served as an executive director at Ernst & Young.
Mr. Christ received his Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University.
David Eudey
Vice President – Haynesville
In 2022, David Eudey was named Vice President, Haynesville after serving in engineering roles of increasing leadership at Chesapeake for more than 15 years. He oversees field production, production engineering, subsurface, land and planning responsibilities across the company’s Haynesville asset.
Mr. Eudey earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Oklahoma State University.
Matt Garner
Vice President – HSER
Matt Garner joined Chesapeake as Vice President, Health, Safety, Environment and Regulatory (HSER) in 2022. He is responsible for ensuring compliance with HSER regulations and internal standards, establishing governance to manage company HSER risks, and helping to lead and execute the company’s HSER strategy. Prior to Chesapeake, Mr. Garner spent 16 years with ConocoPhillips with roles in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Poland. He most recently served as their Global Chief of Health and Safety Assurance.
Mr. Garner earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Oklahoma State University.
Jim Grant
Vice President – New Energy Ventures & Chief Geoscientist
Jim Grant was named Chesapeake’s Vice President, New Energy Ventures and Chief Geoscientist in 2022. In his role leading New Energy Ventures, Mr. Grant and his team research and evaluate opportunities to support the company’s commitment to a lower carbon future. He also works to ensure Chesapeake maintains its technical leadership and excellence across the geoscience disciplines. Before joining Chesapeake, Mr. Grant served in various leadership, corporate and technical roles at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
Mr. Grant attended Hamilton College and earned a geology degree. He later earned his Master of Science in Geoscience at the University of Idaho and his Master of Business Administration at Rice University.
Kajsa Greenhoward
Vice President – Corporate & Strategic Planning
Kajsa Greenhoward joined Chesapeake in 2001, serving in various financial planning and accounting-related roles before being named Vice President, Corporate and Strategic Planning in 2017. In this position, she oversees planning consolidation, portfolio optimization and resource advancement.
Ms. Greenhoward earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Jason Kurtz
Vice President – Marketing
Jason Kurtz was appointed Vice President, Marketing at Chesapeake in 2022. He oversees all commodity sales, transportation and midstream commercial development. Mr. Kurtz previously served as Vice President of Marketing and Transportation at Southwestern Energy Company and brings more than 25 years of experience in gathering, interstate transportation, commodity sales, hedging and asset optimization.
Mr. Kurtz holds a business degree from Oklahoma State University.
Greg Larson
Vice President – Accounting & Controller
Greg Larson was named Vice President of Accounting and Controller in 2021 after serving in various senior corporate accounting roles at the company. Before joining Chesapeake, he held accounting positions of increasing responsibility for Access Midstream Partners, formerly Chesapeake Midstream Partners, Diamond Energy Services and Ernst & Young.
Mr. Larson leads the organization’s accounting function, including maintaining proper oversight and control over financial reporting, operational accounting, technical accounting, compliance and internal controls.
Mr. Larson has a Bachelor of Science in Business and Master of Science in Accounting from Oklahoma City University and is a certified public accountant.
Dan Lopata
Vice President – Marcellus
Dan Lopata was promoted to Vice President, Marcellus at Chesapeake in 2022. In this role, he leads the team responsible for the development and production of Chesapeake’s leasehold in Pennsylvania. Mr. Lopata began as an intern in Chesapeake’s drilling department and grew his career by serving in engineering roles of increasing importance and across various company assets.
Mr. Lopata graduated from Marietta College with a degree in petroleum engineering.
Toni Parks-Payne
Vice President – Human Resources & Employee Services
Toni Parks-Payne was named Vice President, Human Resources and Employee Services at Chesapeake in 2022. She oversees human resources (HR) and the amenities and services for Chesapeake’s employees and its corporate campus. Ms. Parks-Payne is a long-time Chesapeake employee, joining the company in 2005.
Ms. Parks-Payne attended Kansas State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a concentration in kinesiology. She also earned her Master of Arts in Wellness Management from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Usha Turner
Vice President – Chief Sustainability Officer
Usha Turner joined Chesapeake in 2022 as Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and oversees the company’s sustainability initiatives, sustainability reporting, corporate communications and local and governmental affairs. Before joining Chesapeake, Ms. Turner spent 20 years in the power sector in Texas and Oklahoma.
Ms. Turner attended Texas A&M, receiving a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering.