The Axis Energy Services leadership team and Board of Directors bring extensive experience at diverse companies spanning the oil and gas industry. Their veteran insights guide Axis forward as we continue to revolutionize well services.

BUILT AROUND DECADES
OF OILFIELD EXPERIENCE




Ryan Phillips is Chairman of the Board of Axis Energy Services. Mr. Phillips joined the board when he started with B-29 Investments (“B-29”) in April of 2018 and transitioned to his role as Chairman of Axis in January 2021. Prior to joining B-29, Mr. Phillips spent 15 years with Halliburton where he started in the field as a Frac Engineer before taking on various roles focused on pressure pumping. Before leaving Halliburton, he was Permian Basin Operations Manager and was accountable for all product lines in the Permian. Before that, Mr. Phillips was a Region Cementing Manager and Area Frac Manager.
Mr. Phillips is passionate about completions. An engineer at heart, he believes in the mission of Axis to optimize completions through data-driven technology and new, purpose-engineered equipment.
Mr. Phillips received his MBA from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M and his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M.

Chris Boone serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Axis Energy Services. Mr. Boone is responsible for all accounting, financial planning, and reporting processes. He oversees our insurance, treasury, and finance programs.
Prior to joining Axis, Mr. Boone served as CFO at NESR—a publicly traded energy services company—from 2019 to 2022. Mr. Boone previously served as Interim CFO at Stratum Reservoir (Weatherford Labs) from 2018 to 2019. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President and CFO at Tesco Corporation from 2014 to 2017. From 1993 to 2013, Mr. Boone served in various operational and financial roles during his time at Lufkin Industries—a publicly traded energy manufacturing/service company—with his most recent position being Vice President and CFO from 2008 to 2013.
Mr. Boone has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington and Lee University and an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Christine Stroud serves as General Counsel for Axis Energy Services. Ms. Stroud provides strategic counsel on a broad range of legal, business, and operational matters for the company and its board of directors.
With 16 years of experience as an attorney serving the oil and gas industry, Ms. Stroud has a broad and diverse background in both international and domestic oilfield services and E&P. Ms. Stroud previously worked as Counsel for XTO Energy, Inc. and served as General Counsel for Riata Corporate Group, LLC and its affiliated E&P and service companies. Prior to joining Axis, Ms. Stroud owned and operated a law firm providing consulting services for in-house legal departments.
Ms. Stroud has a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law.

Garry Pruitt is President of Axis Pressure Control Rentals. Mr. Pruitt previously served as President of Momentum Pressure Control Rental LLC, which he helped found in 2018. Mr. Pruitt brings 37 years of pressure control experience to Axis. During that time, he spent 23 years in various capacities in surface wellhead services and 14 years in fishing and rental services. For 10 years, Mr. Pruitt was a Partner and Operations Manager at Red Diamond Pressure Control, where he focused on rental equipment and workover and completion rigs. He enjoys building teams and providing solutions to customers.

Stephen Moses is President of Axis Pumping Services. Mr. Moses brings more than 40 years of oilfield service experience, including more than 30 years in leadership roles in cementing and acidizing. He co-founded M6 Energy Services in 2016 and stewarded the business to growth across five basins—with an emphasis on safety, quality and dependability—before it was acquired by Axis. After starting his career as a roughneck, Mr. Moses rose through the ranks over the next three decades, serving in supervisory roles at several oilfield service companies. In 2005, he co-founded C&S Energy Services, managing all operations until the company was acquired 10 years later.

Clay Holland is Sr. Vice President of Operations at Axis Energy Services. Mr. Holland is responsible for overseeing operations, helping to build strong customer relationships, and maximizing the company’s financial goals and strategic vision. He brings a collaborative approach to working with the operations leaders to progress initiatives and results related to his key responsibilities with a high focus on safety management and more than 10 years’ experience in oilfield services.
Mr. Holland has extensive experience managing well servicing operations. Prior to joining Axis, he served in several leadership roles. Most recently, he was the East Texas Regional Manager for ClearWell Dynamics. Prior to that, he worked for Key Energy Services in roles from District Manager up to the Director of Gulf Coast Operations and at Halliburton in various operational capacities. Mr. Holland has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in Legal Studies, Energy, Oil and Gas Law at Texas A&M University.

Clarence “Bert” Bertrand, Jr. is Vice President of Axis Plug and Abandonment Services. Mr. Bertrand is responsible for all P&A business, engineering, and financial objectives. He brings more than 45 years’ experience in oilfield services, primarily in cement operations.
Mr. Bertrand’s career began in 1977 working on drilling rigs, then in 1980 went to work for Halliburton as a frac hand, where he rose through the ranks in numerous roles. His leadership experience includes managing services and financial operations across the US, Middle East, and West Africa with Halliburton. He has a broad experience with large operations teams onshore and offshore across a variety of product lines. Most recently, he was the Director of Cement/P&A for Key Energy Services in Midland, Texas.
Mr. Bertrand holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana Tech University.

Ray Daugherty is Vice President of Axis Fishing and Rental Services. Mr. Daugherty is responsible for managing the quality of service, customer satisfaction and profitability of the Fishing and Rental Services division. He brings more than 44 years of oilfield experience, including more than 30 years in leadership roles in fishing, milling and rental tool services. After starting his career as a shop hand, he worked his way up to corporate Vice President through working in operations, field service, engineering and sales. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Daugherty started and sold three successful fishing tool companies in the United States and Canada. He enjoys every job in this business because every day is different, and he always strives to learn something new.

Erik Coleman is Vice President of Operations in the Permian at Axis Energy Services. Mr. Coleman is responsible for leading the Permian Operations team in an effective, efficient, and safe manner in all areas related to safety, field operations, customer account growth and management, district P&L management, customer engagement, and training/development.
Prior to joining Axis, Erik served in various sales leadership roles at Key Energy Services. Most recently, he was Key Energy’s Director of Sales for the Permian Basin. He previously worked in management at United Recovery Systems in Houston, Texas. Erik earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance/Business Management from the University of Houston. He previously served in the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman.

James W. Griffin, M.Eng., CSTP, CSHM, serves as the Vice President of EHS and Operational Excellence. Mr. Griffin is a safety engineer who brings 25 years of experience in DOT compliance and oil and gas exploration to his role.
Mr. Griffin began his career as a Mississippi State Trooper assigned to road enforcement and a Hazardous Material Instructor with the state training academy. Later in his career, he worked for Shell Oil Company, where he found his true passion in HSE and worked in various technical safety roles and supervisory roles on both offshore and onshore assignments. Prior to joining Axis, Mr. Griffin was the US DOT Safety and Compliance Manager for Schlumberger.
Mr. Griffin holds a Bachelor of Science in Safety Science and a Master of Engineering in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management and is recognized as an SME in Hazardous Materials and Rollover Prevention. He is currently pursuing his PhD and is ABD (all but dissertation) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Tracy Smith serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Axis Energy Services. As a trusted business and human resource leader, Ms. Smith ensures that Axis teams are properly supported to maximize their potential by collaborating with operational leaders on strategic initiatives in support of organizational success such as talent planning, organizational development, performance management, benefits and compensation, and employee relations.
Ms. Smith’s commitment to excellence and drive for continuous improvement spans over two decades and across the full array of human resource responsibilities with companies in the industrial, manufacturing, aerospace and oil and gas industries. She has successfully developed employee compensation plans, recruited top talent, spearheaded performance management system improvements, and implemented modern HRIS technology to improve business decisions.
Ms. Smith earned her master’s degree from Louisiana State University in Leadership and Human Resource Development and is also certified as a senior-level HR professional through HRCI. She is an avid supporter and volunteer of multiple organizations focused on support for children, humanitarian efforts, education, and the environment.
Ryan Phillips is Chairman of the Board of Axis Energy Services. Mr. Phillips joined the board when he started with B-29 Investments (“B-29”) in April of 2018 and transitioned to his role as Chairman of Axis in January 2021. Prior to joining B-29, Mr. Phillips spent 15 years with Halliburton where he started in the field as a Frac Engineer before taking on various roles focused on pressure pumping. Before leaving Halliburton, he was Permian Basin Operations Manager and was accountable for all product lines in the Permian. Before that, Mr. Phillips was a Region Cementing Manager and Area Frac Manager.
Mr. Phillips is passionate about completions. An engineer at heart, he believes in the mission of Axis to optimize completions through data-driven technology and new, purpose-engineered equipment.
Mr. Phillips received his MBA from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M and his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M.
John Schmitz is the Chairman and Co-Founder of B-29 Investments, LP (“B-29”) alongside his brother, Steve Schmitz. B-29 provides strategic advice and financial capital primarily to energy and real estate companies. Mr. Schmitz is a lifelong entrepreneur and has founded, bought and developed numerous successful businesses in the energy and real estate industries. Mr. Schmitz is married to Sandy Schmitz and has three adult daughters.
Mr. Schmitz currently serves as Executive Chairman of Select Energy Services, a leading provider of total water solutions to the U.S. unconventional oil and gas industry that completed an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2017. Mr. Schmitz also holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Endurance Lift Solutions and Bell Supply Company. Additionally, Mr. Schmitz currently serves on the boards of Forum Energy Technologies, Silver Creek Oil & Gas, CP Energy Holdings, TEC Well Service, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, Southwest Diabetic Foundation, and the Harold Hamm Diabetic Center. Mr. Schmitz serves as a Senior Advisor to Crestview Partners, LP, a New York based private equity fund.
Mr. Schmitz began his oilfield career in the early 1980s with BSI Holdings, an integrated wellsite service provider and oilfield equipment supplier. In 2003, the various companies under BSI Holdings became part of Complete Production Services, and Mr. Schmitz served as the North Texas Division Manager until November 2006. The company completed a successful public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2006. Mr. Schmitz also founded Allied Production Solutions, which became part of Forum Energy Technologies. Forum currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Schmitz founded HEP Oil Company, which is now a part of Silver Creek Oil & Gas, which focuses on drilling, completion and production of oil & gas assets. He has also developed and sold seven acreage and production packages in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Eagleford, and Niobrara shale plays. Lastly, Mr. Schmitz founded Cimarron Gathering, LP, which became part of Copano Energy in 2007. At the time, Copano was a NASDAQ traded company, and it has since become part of Kinder Morgan.
Jeffrey Scofield joined the Lime Rock Partners team in 2005. He became a Managing Director in 2011 and is also now Chief Operating Officer of the Lime Rock Partners investment team. Currently based in Houston, he has also worked in Lime Rock’s Westport and London offices. He has led opportunities in the E&P and oilfield service sectors in North America and internationally. Prior to joining Lime Rock, Jeffrey held positions in the investment banking groups of Harrison Lovegrove & Co., Credit Suisse, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.A.).
Jeffrey serves on the board of directors of Augustus Energy Partners II, Blackjewel, Capstone Natural Resources II, EnerMech, OiLSERV, San Jacinto Minerals II, SDI Gas, TEC Well Service, and Wayfinder Resources. Jeffrey also serves on the board of directors for Covia Corporation (NYSE: CVIA) and the Children’s Museum of Houston.
Greg Highberger first joined the Lime Rock Partners team in July 2006 in the firm’s Westport office and is now a Managing Director in the firm’s Houston office. Prior to joining Lime Rock, Greg was an investment banking analyst in the Global Energy Group of Credit Suisse. He is a graduate of Boston College (B.S.) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A.).
Since joining the Lime Rock Partners team, Greg has played a critical role in investigating and executing oilfield service and E&P investment opportunities in North America and internationally. He currently serves on the board of directors of Capstone Natural Resources II, GEODynamics, SDI Gas, Shelf Drilling, Silvertip Completion Services, and TEC Well Service. He previously served on the board of directors of Capstone Natural Resources, TAW Energy Services, and VEDCO Holdings. He also has been particularly involved in Lime Rock Partners’ investments in CrownRock Minerals, Iracore International, and Laricina Energy.
Ben Burns joined the Lime Rock Partners team in 2014 and is now a Vice President in the firm’s Houston office. Prior to joining Lime Rock, Ben was an analyst in the Natural Resources Investment Banking Group of Barclays where he worked on financial advisory and debt and equity offering transactions. He is a graduate of the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University (M.S., B.B.A.).
Since joining the Lime Rock Partners team, Ben has played a critical role in investigating and executing oilfield service and E&P investment opportunities in North America and internationally. He currently serves on the board of directors of Axis Energy Services, Rod and Tubing Services, and Silvertip Completion Services and has been particularly involved in Lime Rock Partners’ investment in Augustus Energy Partners II, Basin Properties, Battlecat Oil & Gas, CrownRock, CrownRock Minerals, GEODynamics, Reelwell, San Jacinto Minerals, Southwest Oilfield Products, and Tercel.
Benjamin Smith is an Independent Director at Axis Energy Services, having joined the Board in November 2021. Mr. Smith has extensive financial and strategic leadership experience growing early and mid-stage energy businesses, as an advisor, investor, and business leader.
Mr. Smith is currently the CFO of Syzygy Plasmonics, an energy technology innovator developing novel electrified chemical reactors. Prior to that, he served as CFO, and later CEO, of GEODynamics, a manufacturer of downhole tools and equipment, which the team successfully grew and exited to a public acquirer in 2018. He began his career at the energy investment bank Simmons & Company, before joining Lime Rock Partners in 2009, where he worked with a variety of E&P, oilfield service, and manufacturing companies, helping to guide business strategy, growth, fundraising, and M&A.
Mr. Smith is passionate about building people-centric entrepreneurial businesses that can deliver innovative ideas to advance our energy future. He holds a B.S. from the Stern School of Business at New York University.