Mr. Borgen is a co-founder of USDCF and its predecessor companies and has served as CEO since its inception. Additionally, Mr. Borgen served as President of U.S. Right-of-Way Corporation, a private company, since 1993. Prior to USDG, Mr. Borgen worked for 11 years in investment banking in mergers and acquisitions, portfolio management and strategic planning. He began his career with a private investment firm focused on the oil and gas industry. Mr. Borgen has served on the board of directors of several corporations and currently serves on the board of Vertex Energy Inc., an environmental services company that recycles industrial waste streams and off-specification commercial chemical products. Active in several community organizations, he is chair of the USD Foundation and a trustee of Boys and Girls Club of America. Mr. Borgen received a degree in petroleum management and finance from the University of Oklahoma. He was recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2013 and was a finalist for Ernst and Young’s 2014 Gulf Coast Entrepreneur of the Year.

Mr. Copher serves as President of USDCF and is responsible for strategic planning, commercial development, execution of opportunities, and performance of operating assets. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Copher spent 31 years at Koch Industries holding various commercial and leadership roles across Global Heavy Products and Biofuels/Renewables. He spent the last 12 years building and managing Koch’s ethanol and Biofuels/AG global trading businesses. Mr. Copher has a Business Degree from Kansas State University.

Mr. Ruple is responsible for all operations and project development activities in support of USDCF’s commercial development vision, mission, and tactical growth strategies. Prior to joining USDCF, Mr. Ruple held various executive management positions in the commercial and industrial construction industry and at engineering and environmental consultancies. Throughout his professional career, he has acquired many management and technical certifications and is an active member of professional and public organizations. Mr. Ruple received a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Utah.

Mr. Dunning is responsible for the origination and execution of acquisitions, strategic planning, commercial strategy, and partnership opportunities. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Dunning was a research analyst at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, where he was responsible for investments in the Energy Infrastructure and Midstream and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) sectors. Mr. Dunning earned a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Mr. Dunning currently serves as an Ambassador to the Southwest Region of the Boys & Girls of Clubs of America.

Mr. Lee is responsible for the various functions of managing the business, including building strategic partnerships, executing commercial vision and strategies, asset performance, and managing deal flow and associated project development. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Lee held various business development roles for the Canadian Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and Smart Sand, where he was responsible for various forms of development in the midstream and downstream sectors. Mr. Lee lettered in sports and earned his BA from Virginia Wesleyan University. 

Mr. Wetterauer is responsible for the origination and development of new business opportunities for USDCF. Throughout his tenure at the organization, he has held various leadership roles in operations and has led strategic planning and commercial strategy for new initiatives. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Wetterauer worked for Occidental Petroleum where he developed energy infrastructure tying shale plays into Gulf Coast assets. Mr. Wetterauer received a BA in Economics from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Mr. LaBorne serves as Vice President of Project Development, leading the execution of strategic opportunities for USDCF. He joined USDG in 2011, holding leadership positions in commercial and project development. Prior to USDG, Mr. LaBorne worked in various supply, trading, and logistics roles at several major oil and midstream companies. He graduated from West Point with a degree in Engineering Management and then served as an active-duty military officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, Mr. LaBorne received an MBA in finance from the University of Southern California.

Ms. Batycky serves as Sr. Director of Project Development, driving the execution of development projects in support of the USDCF platform. Ms. Batycky has over 20 years of experience in transportation logistics and project management, including business development, product design, and customer service management. Ms. Batycky has a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Calgary and is an active community member, including volunteering for youth baseball and hockey, as well as serving as a past Chair of the Calgary Stampede’s Aggie Days Committee.

Mr. Frerking leads various administrative functions, including Sustainability, EH&S, insurance risk, Government and Community Affairs, and corporate culture. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Frerking spent over 20 years at Koch Industries in various executive and legal roles. Mr. Frerking also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Lutheran Confessional Church of Pakistan Inc. and is a member of multiple State Bars, including the Supreme Court. He received his JD from University of Missouri – Columbia and a BA from University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Mr. Schnabel is responsible for all USDCF operations, operations services, and engineering services in addition to supporting USDCF’s development and acquisition initiatives. Prior to joining USDCF, Mr. Schnabel held various operations leadership positions for BP Chemical, Intercontinental Terminals Company, Global Octanes, Ethyl Corporation, Dakota Gasification Company, and SGS/PSC. Mr. Schnabel has nearly four decades of plant and terminal operations experience and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota. 

Mr. Schornick oversees corporate finance, financial planning, treasury, capital markets, and accounting and investor relations in support of the partnership and our sponsor. Before his tenure at USDCF, Mr. Schornick’s work in finance began at Raymond James as an Equity Research Associate, where he then moved on to serve as an Investment Banking Associate at Macquarie Capital. Mr. Schornick actively serves as a board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for South Houston. Mr. Schornick received his BBA in finance from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, along with a BA in economics.

Mr. Verhagen is responsible for the financing and execution of acquisition and development opportunities as well as strategic growth initiatives at USDCF. Prior to USDCF, Mr. Verhagen’s experience comes from various corporate development and finance roles for several key oil and gas midstream companies, spending several years in investment banking for Macquarie Capital as well as energy trading for Constellation Energy. Mr. Verhagen earned a BA in economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Texas.

Mrs. Wendell oversees the accounting and reporting functions for USDCF. Before her tenure at USDCF, Mrs. Wendell worked as an auditor in Houston at the public accounting firm, BDO. Mrs. Wendell has been a Certified Public Accountant for ten years, holding a Master of Science and a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State University.

Mr. Benson is responsible for all legal matters at USDCF, also serving as a Director of Landmark Infrastructure Partners GP LLC. Before his time at USDCF, Mr. Benson served as a partner for the international law firm Latham & Watkins LLP and as an associate with Cahill, Gordon & Reindel LLP, with a focus on public company representation, corporate governance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions for midstream and upstream energy companies. Mr. Benson received a JD with high honors from Rutgers School of Law and a BA in Political Science from The College of New Jersey.