Hi-Crush Inc. recently appointed a new executive team including Dirk Hallen as CEO to manage the Houston-based frac sand supplier’s next phase of growth following its emergence from bankruptcy.

Hallen was previously co-founder and CEO of Pronghorn Logistics LLC, which was acquired by Hi-Crush in May 2019. Other appointments Hi-Crush made to its new executive team include Stephen White, Pronghorn’s other co-founder, as COO. William Barker was also named Hi-Crush’s general counsel and chief commercial officer.

“We are excited for the energy and fresh perspective this group will bring to Hi-Crush,” Colin Leonard, chairman of the Hi-Crush board, said in a statement on Dec. 3. “Along with the rest of the board, I look forward to working closely with Dirk and the new team to continue building a market leader in the frac sand and logistics sectors.”

Hi-Crush successfully emerged from bankruptcy in October as part of a financial restructuring that eliminated about $450 million of debt from its balance sheet. At the time, Robert E. Rasmus, co-founder of Hi-Crush Proppants LLC who had served as its co-CEO since its formation in October 2010 until November 2015 when he became sole CEO, was still at the helm of the company.

All appointments of the new Hi-Crush leadership team were effective Nov. 30. Hallen will also serve on the board of directors of Hi-Crush.

In a statement on Dec. 3 commenting on his appointment, Hallen said: “I am grateful to the board for giving me the opportunity to lead such a talented and dedicated group of people. Along with Stephen, William and the rest of the company’s leadership, I look forward to the journey ahead at Hi-Crush.”

Prior to co-founding Pronghorn, Hallen was the director of corporate development at Rockpile Energy Services and worked as a management consultant at Booz & Co. focused on the oil and gas industry.

White had also previously worked at Rockpile Energy Services prior to co-founding Pronghorn, serving as its director of business operations. Prior to that, he had worked at Schlumberger Ltd. and Pioneer Energy Services.

After Hi-Crush’s acquisition of Pronghorn, White served as vice president of logistics and field services at Hi-Crush.

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