At Arete, 10 of our 15 team members are former Henry Resources employees, reflecting more than a decade of history working together. These team members were responsible for drilling, completing, and producing all 200+ horizontal wells drilled by Henry Resources since 2014. Our management team has collectively played an integral role in building five successful iterations of Permian Basin upstream companies—Bold Energy I, II & III, horizontal Henry Resources, and Oxbow Petroleum. With technical staff experience and training from Chevron, Oxy, Concho, and Southwestern, we have assembled a well-rounded team capable of operating 100+ wells and providing cradle-to-grave asset development across two rig lines with current staffing levels.
Meet the dedicated professionals who will drive Arete Creek Resources' success.
Patrick Cohorn
CEO
Mr. Cohorn, raised in a small farming community in southeast New Mexico, has spent his 20-year career in oil and gas working the Permian Basin. Patrick began his career in 2005 as a geologist with EnCap-backed Bold Energy. Mr. Cohorn remained with the Bold Energy team in various roles through all three iterations of the company, Bold I, II and III, until joining Henry Resources as a Geologist in 2015. In 2018, Patrick was promoted to Geological and Business Development Manager. By 2021, Patrick was elevated to Operations Manager. In 2023, Mr. Cohorn was promoted to COO and eventually President of Henry Resources before leaving to form Arete Creek with his partners. Patrick has a Bachelor of Science, Sul Ross State University; a Master of Science, Oklahoma State University; and, a Masters of Business Administration, University of Oklahoma.
Blake Braun
President & COO
Mr. Braun, a Midland native, has 17 years of oil and gas experience. Prior to forming Oxbow with Co-Founder Will Rutherford in 2020, he worked for Henry Resources for 11 years. At Henry Resources, Mr. Braun worked in drilling, reservoir and operations. Most of his time at Henry was spent leading the Drilling team. As Drilling Manager Blake oversaw Henry’s transition from an exclusively vertical driller to an active multi-rig horizontal driller in both the Midland and Delaware Basins. Before Henry, Blake worked as an engineer for Discovery Operating and Oxy. Blake graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Mr. Braun has been active as a volunteer with Young Life for 20 years and currently serves on the Midland Young Life Committee.
Will Rutherford
CFO
Mr. Rutherford, born and raised in Midland, TX has been active in the oil and gas industry for over 10 years as a finance professional in upstream operations, mineral acquisition, midstream and crude marketing, and real estate investment and development. Prior to forming Oxbow with Blake Braun, Will was the CFO for Ventura Energy Partners, LP. Upon graduation from Baylor University with a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics, Will began his career as an analyst for a company specializing in distressed real estate investments. Mr. Rutherford has been active as a volunteer leader with Young Life and currently serves on the Midland Young Life Committee.
Blake Pitcock
EVP Land
Mr. Pitcock has 14 years of oil and gas experience. Blake is a native of West Texas with experience in midstream natural gas operations, water midstream, operational land work, business development, transactions and surface land work. Prior to his time at Henry, Mr. Pitcock was part of the Business Development team for Bold Energy III until the company sold to Earthstone Energy in 2017. Mr. Pitcock has attained the designation of Certified Professional Landman through the AAPL and holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Blake and his wife Amy have been married since 2004 and enjoy working together on their property in Coke County, Texas. Mr. Pitcock is a member of the AAPL, PBLA and the Midland Wildcat Committee.
Bo Ritchie
Operations Manager
Mr. Ritchie, a Midland native, has 17 years of oil and gas experience as a Production Engineer. Prior to joining Oxbow Petroleum in 2022, he was employed at Citation Oil and Gas for 14 years as a production engineer with responsibilities across various producing assets. Bo provides the daily oversight of all production operations and production engineering at Oxbow. Mr. Ritchie holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University. Bo is currently serving as a pre-teen leader at Midland Bible Church and volunteers at COM Aquatics.
Brandon Phillips
Drilling Manager
Mr. Phillips has a 14-year career as a drilling engineer, drilling horizontal wells across many basins in the lower 48. Brandon's career started with Southwestern Energy where he was a drilling engineer responsible for horizontal wells in the Marcellus Shale and Fayetteville. In 2018 he joined Henry Resources where he oversaw the drilling operations and engineering in the Delaware and Midland Basins. Brandon joined Oxbow Petroleum in 2024 and provides his drilling expertise as Drilling Manager. Mr. Phillips holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. Brandon is an active volunteer in the children's program at his local church.
Justin Crump
Facilities & Construction Manager
Mr. Crump has 16 years of oil and gas experience in the Permian Basin. He started his career in 2007 with Nicholas Consulting Group focusing on engineering and design of upstream and midstream surface facilities. In 2013 he joined Chevron as a facilities engineer where he worked to become the lead design owner of their Mid-Continent Business Unit's standard facilities. In 2018 Mr. Crump joined Concho Resources and worked on multiple asset teams helping to develop their Delaware Basin and North Midland Basin acreage. Prior to joining Oxbow Petroleum in 2024, Mr. Crump was employed at Henry Resources where he supported all operations activities involving facilities and pipeline systems. Mr. Crump holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. Justin and his wife currently serve and volunteer at Greenwood ISD school, youth sports programs, and Greenwood Baptist Church.
Amy Pitcock
Business Development Advisor & Partner
Amy is a West Texas native with over 15 years of diverse experience in oil and gas land and business development. In 2024 she founded Pearle Strategic Solutions, offering consultancy services in E&P business development and land. Prior to starting Pearle, Amy served in various roles with Bold Energy, Endeavor and Ovintiv where she and her teams executed deals collectively valued at over $8B.
Amy is always looking for ways to give back. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum and on the Big Bend Conservancy Board of Directors. Amy was also a founding board member for the Permian Basin Chapters of Women’s Energy Network and Women of Courage.
Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Angelo State University and a Master of Business Administration in Energy from the University of Oklahoma. She is also a Certified Professional Landman and licensed Realtor.
Amy and her husband Blake have been married since 2004 and enjoy spending time with their two dogs at their property in Coke County, TX.