"Our culture shapes who we are, defines our identity, and is the foundation of our success."
— Keith Corbett
Management Philosophy
At Burnett Oil, our management philosophy centers on empowering employees and providing them with the tools and support they need to excel in their roles. We are committed to fostering long-term relationships with our partners and employees, grounded in respect, integrity, and loyalty. We believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to maintaining employee satisfaction and well-being. By cultivating a culture where employees take pride in their work and feel a sense of ownership, we foster a safe, collaborative environment where excellence is the shared goal.
Management Team
Keith Corbett
President
With Burnett Oil since May 2022
Prior to joining Burnett, Keith spent 16 years at Concho Resources in various asset management and leadership roles in Texas and New Mexico, ending his time there upon the acquisition by ConocoPhillips as Senior Vice President of Corporate Engineering and Planning. In his earlier career, Keith worked for Pennzoil, Devon Energy, and Stallion Energy in various operations, reservoir, and management roles.
Keith earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1994.
Kevin Vermillion
Vice President of Special Services
With Burnett Oil since 2013
Kevin manages security, due diligence investigations, information technology, safety programs and projects involving the federal government. Prior to joining Burnett Oil, he served as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service with assignments in Texas, Washington, D.C. and finally, as Director of the National Computer Forensics Institute.
Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Fine Arts from the Virginia Military Institute.
Wes Hanna
Vice President of Engineering - Texas
With Burnett Oil since 2017
Wes manages Texas operations, the company's reserves, and evaluates potential A&D opportunities. Prior to Burnett, Wes served as as Facility Engineering Supervisor at BOPCO. Before this, he worked at Discovery Operating overseeing field operations and at Halliburton.
Wes earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2009.
When not in the office or onsite, you can find Wes and his band on Spotify. Wes is earning a reputation as a highly regarded country music singer and songwriter.
Rafael Zelaya
Vice President of Exploration
With Burnett Oil since 2014
Prior to joining Burnett, Rafael held positions at Terrace Energy, Gastar Exploration, and XTO Energy, amassing over a decade of experience across various roles in development, operations, and management. Rafael has worked across multiple basins, including the Permian, Eastern Shelf, Appalachian, East Texas, and Powder River.
Rafael earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Texas Christian University in 2003.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rafael is an adventurer at heart. He has raced dirt bikes in the Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit and is passionate about outdoor activities. Whether it's mountain biking, family camping trips, or hiking through rugged terrain, Rafael embraces every opportunity to connect with nature. He enjoys these adventures alongside his wife, two sons, and their beloved poodles.
Michael McDowell
Vice President of Finance
With Burnett Oil since 2003
Michael has worked on multiple projects for various lines of business within the company. He became Controller of Burnett Oil in 2007 and was named Vice President of Finance in 2014. Prior to joining Burnett, Michael had a 10-year commercial banking career in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from West Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University.
Michael can often be found volunteering with his son's Scouting unit, where he has specialized training in helping youth on the autism spectrum.
Wade Parks
Vice President of Land
With Burnett Oil since June 2023
Prior to Burnett, Wade served as Manager of Permian Land at ConocoPhillips. Before ConocoPhillips' acquisition of Concho Resources, Wade worked at Concho Resources in several roles, including Midland Basin Land Manager and Southern Delaware Basin Asset Manager. Earlier in his career, Wade worked with SM Energy and Erskine Energy in various land and asset management positions.
Wade earned a BBA in Petroleum Land Management and a BBA in Management from Texas Tech University in 1996.
Wade enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Cassandra, and their son, Ethan, ideally somewhere on or near the water. Wade is also an avid golfer, although his handicap index is inversely proportional to his passion for the game.
Tyler Deans
Vice President of Engineering - New Mexico
With Burnett Oil since June 2016
Prior to joining Burnett, Tyler held various positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Concho Resources, including designing infrastructure, asset management, and operations in the New Mexico Shelf and Delaware Basin assets. Earlier in his career, he served as a production/operations engineer for Kinder Morgan, working on the SACROC unit.
Tyler earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University in 2007.
Tyler finds joy in spending time outdoors, especially when sharing the experience with his family. Together, they enjoy everything from fishing and hunting to time in the mountains or on the beach.
Kristine Pilgrim
Landman
With Burnett Oil since 2015
Kristine has worked in various land roles at Burnett, providing her with experience in all aspects of the land function. She was promoted to Landman in 2022. Prior to joining Burnett, Kristine served in the United States Air Force as a C-17 Loadmaster.
Kristine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University and a Master of Jurisprudence in Environmental and Energy Law from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2022.
As a self-proclaimed amateur artist, Kristine has a passion for creating artwork and enjoys spending her free time painting.
Charlie Smitherman
Finance Director
With Burnett Oil since March 2008
Since joining the team, Charlie has held various roles of increasing responsibility, including Internal Auditor and Senior Financial Analyst. Prior to joining Burnett, he worked in the underwriting department of Southwest Bank.
Charlie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University in 2007 and an MBA from The University of Texas McCombs School of Business in 2013.
In his spare time, Charlie loves exploring new destinations with his family. Whether it's a weekend getaway to a nearby town or an adventurous trip abroad, traveling together allows them to create unforgettable memories.
Trey Cortez
Senior Geologist
With Burnett Oil since 2017
Trey has spent most of his career as a reservoir characterization geologist, focused on core, wireline, and seismic data integration across the Mid-Continent, East Texas, Powder River Basin, and the Permian Basin. He has spearheaded drilling programs in both conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
Trey earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 2010 and a Master of Science in Petroleum Geology in 2012 from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Trey is an accomplished billiards player whose notoriety began before he was 10 years old and culminated in a national ranking among amateur 8-Ball competitors before starting his career in geology.
Cassandra Wallrabe
Human Resource Representative
With Burnett Oil since 2012
Cassandra has held various positions, and with her administrative background, she moved into the role of Executive Assistant, where she served for 10 years. With her diverse skill set, she now serves as Human Resource Representative.
Cassandra earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2012.
In her spare time, Cassandra enjoys cooking and baking for her family and friends. Some are hits, and some are misses, but there's always something brewing in her kitchen!
Employee Feedback
"It's an honor to work for a company with such a rich history rooted in family traditions. The legacy of Burnett Oil speaks for itself, and I consider myself fortunate to be a part of that family legacy."
"Burnett Oil is a small, close-knit company with a fast-paced, collaborative environment where you feel satisfaction seeing the results of your work."
"Burnett has provided a stable work environment in an ever-changing industry."
"Burnett Oil is a collaborative environment with highly technical people who have a passion for what they do."