Ascend Team

Mr. Brian K. Johnson serves as Principal of Ascend Energy Solutions, LLC.  He has more than 26 years of diversified operations, engineering, project management, and consulting experience in the energy industry including upstream and midstream oil and gas, petroleum refining, alternative fuels, and power.  Prior to Ascend, he served in executive leadership positions at ECT Consulting and Halker Consulting, and as Director of Engineering and Construction for American Midstream.  From 2006 to 2012, Brian served as Manager of Fischer-Tropsch Technology and later Director of Project Engineering Management for Rentech, Inc, a startup company engaged in developing large-scale (over $1 Billion) alternative fuels projects.  Brian started his career in refinery operations and major projects working for Unocal, Valero, and Suncor where he managed operations and engineering departments at several refineries.  Brian holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Mr. Brian F. Bierbach serves as a Senior Advisor for Ascend Energy Solutions, LLC.  He has a 35-year career in the Energy Industry includes leadership positions in every facet of the midstream market.  Previously, Mr. Bierbach was Vice President, Producer Services for BP Energy Company from 2013 to 2016.  He served as the Chief Executive Officer and President at American Midstream GP LLC, the General Partner of American Midstream Partners, LP from 2009 to 2013.  He served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Foothills Energy Ventures, LLC from 2006 to 2009. He served as the President of Cinergy Corp., Cinergy Canada from 2003 to 2005.  Mr. Bierbach served as the President of Bear Paw Energy LLC and Crestone Energy Partners – Northern Border Partners from 2000 to 2002.  He served as Senior Vice President and in Management roles at Enron Corporation North America from 1997 to 2000, Williams Companies Inc. – Williams Energy Trading from 1994 to 1997, Washington Energy Resources from 1991 to 1994, Dynegy from 1990 to 1991, Apache Corporation from 1987 to 1990 and ConocoPhillips from 1981 to 1987.  He was Director of American Midstream GP LLC, the General Partner of American Midstream Partners, LP since November 2009.  He served as Director of Foothills Energy Ventures, LLC from 2006 to 2009.  Mr. Bierbach holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University Arizona in 1981.

Mr. Kelly C. Gleason serves as a Senior Advisor for Ascend Energy Solutions, LLC.  He has 35 years of experience in the refining, pipeline, gathering, and transportation industry, including oil and gas, onshore and offshore, pipeline/terminal operations/logistics, and marine barging.  Kelly was previously a senior executive at OBX Engineering from 2013 to 2016 where he led consulting services for operational and maintenance reliability, process safety and integrity management, regulatory compliance, and transportation logistics development.  During 2016, Kelly provided full time support to ABS Group Consulting for its midstream/pipeline business sector.  From 2003 to 2013, Kelly worked for Suncor Energy USA Company serving as the Director of Operations/Maintenance for all Suncor USA and Canadian pipelines, and as the President of Suncor Energy USA Pipeline Company.  Kelly started his career in 1982 with Amoco Oil Co at their Texas City refinery, where he managed various refining processing facilities and guided the site through a refinery-wide asset management organization change prior to joining the Amoco Pipeline Company in 1998.  Kelly holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Houston.