Our 2026 Winter Meeting Speakers
Professor Samuel Ameri , Chair of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department, has made significant contributions to both the petroleum and natural gas industry and academia over the past four decades. Ameri is a leading expert in oil and gas production with a distinguished record of high-quality research, publications, and service. He maintains his professional engineering license and continues to be a highly-sought-after presence in industry. Ameri has led numerous academic and professional initiatives, including, most recently, the creation of a groundbreaking Master of Science program in Midstream Engineering; the first of its kind in the country. He is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and has served on various SPE committees, and has contributed to higher education quality through his service on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), where he is currently a Board member. His leadership can be felt across the WVU Campus, where he has served on multiple governance and advisory committees, including on the WVU Faculty Senate, Governance & Welfare Committee. Ameri’s contributions have earned him numerous awards, including recognition as WVU Outstanding Professor, a Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty from SPE and the West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year.
Kashy Aminian, Distinguished Professor of Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering at West Virginia University, has over 40 years of exemplary service in both industry and academia during which he has developed significant expertise in many facets of petroleum and natural gas research, development, and application. More specifically, he has engaged in research related to unconventional natural gas resource characterization and development, natural gas production and storage, reservoir characterization and modeling, and coalbed methane development. He has published over 150 technical papers and reports including many journal articles. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1982. He worked as a reservoir engineer for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company for several years prior to joining WVU. His teaching interests include natural gas engineering and gas storage. He is a member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and serves on the North American Coalbed Methane Forum board of directors. He served on the Engineering Accreditation Commission and was the recipient of the Society of Petroleum Engineers “Eastern Region Service” and West Virginia University “Outstanding Teaching” awards.
Zack Arnold was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Infinity Natural Resources, LLC in June 2017, when he also was appointed to Infinity Natural Resources Board of Managers. From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Arnold acted as the General Manager of Operations at Northeast Natural Energy. Prior to joining NNE, Mr. Arnold held various roles at Chesapeake Energy including Drilling Engineer, Completions Superintendent, and Operations Manager. Zack began his career as a Production Engineer with Chevron in Bakersfield, CA. Mr. Arnold is a graduate of Marietta College where he holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering.
Christian T. Beam, Vice President, Generation Project Development, leads the FirstEnergy strategy, planning and execution of large-scale, new power generation projects, including development of renewable and conventional energy projects to expand Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s generation portfolio, and help meet future needs for reliable, cost-effective and sustainable power generation. Chris joined the company April 21, 2025. Chris joined FirstEnergy from American Electric Power (AEP) where, as Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor, he oversaw generation, transmission and supply chain among other responsibilities. Serving in various executive roles throughout his 34-year tenure there, including Executive Vice President of Energy Service and President and Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian Power, Chris has extensive experience leading generation, distribution and transmission operations. As Managing Director of Projects & Construction, a role held from Nov. 2010 to Jan. 2013, he was responsible for project management of AEP’s western fleet, all new generating projects and the commissioning and construction of generation activities. Notably, Chris was instrumental in bringing the John W. Turk Jr. Coal Plant online. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in technical management from DeVry University. He has also completed the Executive Program at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, the AEP Management Development Program at The Ohio State University and the AEP Leadership Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Ryan Deaderick is Greylock’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. In this role he oversees the production, midstream, operations, reservoir, and asset development functions of the company. Deaderick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Before joining Greylock, he worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Energy Corporation of America. In 2019, he was recognized as a member of Hart Energy’s first-ever class of 25 Impactful Veterans in Energy.
Before founding Icon Midstream in 2012, Darren Espey had already built a career working in natural gas, NGL, and condensate trading, marketing, and logistics across all regions of the US and Canada. His experience is varied and broad ranging across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Darren led the commercial effort at multiple midstream companies, developing pipeline assets for producers, commercials & industrials, power generation facilities, and utilities. His experience across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors provides him the unique knowledge to provide superior services to his clients. Icon marries natural gas commodity price economics with midstream development to provide the most economic solutions for its customers and clients. With 30 years of experience, his formidable knowledge base includes building and monetizing upstream and midstream assets, fundraising, M&A advisory, minerals management, marketing, and trading, as well as green energy asset development. His extensive industry experience also includes work with Dynegy, El Paso, Enron, UBS Warburg, Duke Energy, Constellation, National Energy & Trade, Hornet Midstream, and Eureka Midstream. Darren is a graduate of West Virginia University, with a degree in International Finance.
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Chris Hall is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Orion Strategies, where he manages the firm’s financial and administrative operations. He has extensive experience in governmental affairs, having worked with legislators and executive branch departments across multiple administrations. Before joining Orion Strategies, he was a founding member and managing partner at TSG Consulting, a Charleston-based public relations and government affairs agency. His expertise includes writing legislation, managing professional associations, and grassroots advocacy to influence state and federal law. Chris graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in journalism, specializing in public relations, with minors in political science >and business administration.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw is an Attorney and native of Charleston. He and his wife, Kirsten, are parents to Kathryn and Rebecca. He was educated at West Virginia University, B.S.; West Virginia University College of Law, J.D. and University of Notre Dame, Ph.D. in Chemistry. He is a member of: West Virginia State Bar; West Virginia Bar Association; West Virginia Farm Bureau; American Chemical Society; and National Association of Parliamentarians. Elected to the House from 2014 to 2020, he has served as: Speaker of the House, 83rd and 84th Legislatures; Chair, Committee on Enrolled Bills, 83rd Legislature; Vice Chair, Committee on the Judiciary, 83rd Legislature.
Joe McGinn is the Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Energy Transfer. In his two years away from Energy Transfer, Joe was founder and principal of McGinn Public Strategies, where he worked to achieve solutions to complicated public affairs matters. Starting his career with Sunoco in 2004, he has been with the company for over a decade in various positions in the fields of community relations, communications, media relations, philanthropy, recruiting, labor relations, human resources and government affairs. His responsibilities now include public affairs, government relations, external communications, and media relations. Prior to Sunoco, Joe worked as a district representative for a US Congressman in Pennsylvania. He led outreach engagement with constituents and spoke on behalf of the congressman at public events. Joe earned a Masters Degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, a BA in English from Columbia University in New York City, a Master of Government Administration certificate from Fels Institute of Government and a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University. Joe resides in Aston, Penn. with his wife and children.
Patrick James Morrisey is the 37th governor of West Virginia. Morrisey took office on January 13, 2025. He campaigned across all 55 counties during his bid for governor, running to make West Virginia once again the shining state in the mountains. Before being elected governor, Morrisey served as West Virginia’s Attorney General since 2012. As Attorney General, Morrisey delivered some of the nation’s most significant legal victories to defend West Virginia. He prevailed in West Virginia v. EPA, which has been declared one of the most pivotal U.S. Supreme Court wins in decades. Morrisey championed major legal wins protecting West Virginians’ constitutional rights, delivering record-setting settlements against drug companies, and preserving the West Virginia way of life. Morrisey has also fought to protect the unborn, preserve Second Amendment rights, and defend girls’ sports. During his time in public service, Morrisey served as a former Chairman of the Republican Attorney Generals Association, a former Chief Counsel to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, and an owner of his own law practice. Prior to public office, Morrisey had a distinguished legal career as a former Partner and Practice Chair at a major national law firm. Morrisey is also a former professional Tennis Umpire, and even worked the finals of the U.S. Open. Morrisey is the son of a World War II veteran and a VA registered nurse. He went on to put himself through Rutgers College and Rutgers School of Law by working multiple jobs while balancing academics and athletics. Morrisey is married to his wife and First Lady, Denise, and they have one daughter, Julia. He moved to Harpers Ferry in 2006.
Nicholas S. Preservati is the Deputy Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, Director of the West Virginia Office of Energy, and Chairman of the West Virginia Public Energy Authority. With 30 years of experience in energy law, he has held senior legal roles at top law firms, American Electric Power, and other energy companies. Recognized by Chambers, USA and nominated for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Nicholas has earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Nicholas holds a Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate from John Hopkins University, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. A respected leader in energy and regulatory affairs, Nicholas leverages his legal and industry expertise to drive innovation, business development, and strategic growth for West Virginia.
Senate President and Lieutenant Governor Randy Smith is a graduate of East Preston High School and was born in Oakland, Md., as the son of George and Iola Clem Smith. He grew up to be a coal miner in West Virginia. He and his wife, Patty, have a daughter and son-in-law, Amy J. and Tim Wotring, and a son and daughter-in-law, R. Scott Smith and Beth. He is a member of the National Rifle Association, Brookside Church of the Brethren, FFA Alumni Assoc., and CTE Advisory Board.
Luke Sterner has more than 25 years of project development, transaction and risk management experience in the domestic and international independent power sectors. He joined Competitive Power Ventures in May of 2022 where his role has been leading a greenfield natural gas-fueled combined cycle power project development in West Virginia. Prior to CPV, Sterner worked in development and commercial roles for Houston-based independent power companies, including El Paso Merchant Energy, Coastal Power Company and Metropolis Energy. His work background also included seven years of commercial work for Wood Group and Ethos Energy originating and closing engineering, procurement and construction contracts. He also worked for seven years in a leading risk management and investment review role for Globeleq, an international owner-operator of thermal and renewable projects in the emerging markets. Sterner earned a BA from Vassar College and an MBA from Tulane’s Freeman School of Business.
Chris Weikle was born in Charleston, West Virginia in 1981 to the wonderful parents of Phil Weikle and Debbie Phillips. Chris went on to grow up in Teays Valley where he lumbered through the Putnam County school system graduating from Winfield in 1999. Chris then spent eight great years in Morgantown attending West Virginia University. While eight years seems like a lot, he did go on to graduate in 2003 with a B.S. in Political Science and in 2007 with a J.D. from West Virginia University. After graduating law school Chris left West Virginia for a year to live in the coastal Charleston. He quickly realized the error of his ways and returned to West Virginia to work in the legislature for the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. After that Chris was proud to work on the campaign and then serve in Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration as Deputy Director of Public Policy. While in the governor’s office, Chris dedicated himself to education, energy and government efficiency. Chris reluctantly left the Governor’s office to join LGCR Government Solutions as the Deputy Director of Government Relations and Advocacy. At this firm he represented clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small non-profits. Chris is now Director of Government Affairs for Expand Energy Corporation. He formerly held a similar position with Southwestern Energy. He has served on the Board of Directors at WVONGA, IOGA-WV and GO-WV. He has been married to his wife Kelly Matheney Weikle for over a decade and their two magnificent kids, Ainsley Jane and Landon Arlo keep Kelly and Chris on their toes.
