CEO

JW Lorett

Jerry (JW) is a disabled veteran who proudly served in the United States Navy, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1962. With nearly five decades of experience in inspection and utility services, JW has held senior operational roles including VP of Operations for Cleveland X-Ray and President of Cleveland Inspection Services. He later founded Tulsa Inspection Resources and built it into a respected national provider. His background as an AWS CWI and his leadership across multi-state field operations shape KEG’s commitment to quality, accountability, and long-term client trust.

Chief Operating Officer

Kris Lorett

Kris has 15 years of experience across the utility, energy, and infrastructure sectors. He began his career in the field, working as a Utility Inspector, Coating Inspector, Chief Inspector, and Construction Manager on projects throughout the United States. That field foundation gives him a strong understanding of operations, safety, and what teams need to perform in real-world conditions.

Kris later advanced into project and operational leadership, where he managed staffing, schedules, permitting, budgets, and daily communication between clients and field teams. As COO, he oversees KEG’s operations, workforce strategy, and companywide processes. His focus is on building reliable systems, strengthening field performance, and ensuring KEG delivers consistent, dependable service across all utility sectors.

VP of Business Development

Cornell Scarborough

Cornell has more than 18 years of experience across utilities, energy, and construction. He started his career as a Class A specialty welder and transitioned into roles as a Welding Inspector, Chief Inspector, and certified welding instructor. That background gives him credibility with both field crews and corporate teams.

Cornell has become KEG’s strongest relationship builder. Clients trust him because he listens, follows through, and shows up. His attentiveness, hands-on experience, and “ready to come see you” attitude make him a standout partner across the industry. As VP of Business Development, Cornell leads KEG’s growth strategy and client partnerships across utilities, co-ops, IOUs, EPCs, and service providers.

Director of Field Operations

Chris Murray

Chris brings 24 years of experience in utility, construction, and infrastructure project management. He has served in key field leadership roles as both an Inspector and Construction Manager, giving him a deep understanding of how to keep crews productive, safe, and aligned with client expectations.

At KEG, Chris oversees daily field operations, crew coordination, and project execution. He is known for his organization, communication, and ability to manage complex work scopes. His leadership ensures KEG teams mobilize smoothly and deliver consistent results across all projects and service lines.

Director of Growth

Tucker Rutherford

Tucker comes to Keystone Energy with several years of Business Development Experience in the Oil and Gas industry. Tucker utilizes a dynamic process that puts client relationships first and foremost in everything that he and Keystone Energy does. Having worked with several industry giants Tucker has forged great relationships that will continue sending Keystone Energy upon the growth trajectory it seeks. Tucker is also a veteran of the United States Army and has a Business Degree with a focus in Sports Management from Rogers State University.

Director Of Shared Services

Michele Lorett

Finance and operations professional with 20+ years of experience in AR management, payroll, accounting, billing, and HR. Passionate about building efficient shared services that support business growth.

Account Manager

James Slade

James has more than 20 years of experience in inspection, quality assurance, and field oversight. His background spans welding, coating, utility inspection, integrity work, and station construction, giving him a strong technical foundation across multiple utility environments. He has served as both Welding Inspector and Chief Inspector for major operators, supporting everything from new builds to maintenance and integrity programs.

James holds certifications including CPWI+, NACE CIP1, OSHA 30, CPR/First Aid, and FAA Drone Pilot, which strengthen his ability to support verification, reporting, and safety compliance. As Account Manager, he coordinates inspectors, maintains client communication, and ensures projects stay organized, supported, and on schedule.

Integrity Manager

Blaine Freeland

Blaine leads KEG's integrity operations and brings deep experience in pig tracking, anomaly response, AGM surveys, depth-of-cover work, and field verification. He has supported integrity programs across multiple systems and is known for his steady leadership, organized approach, and strong field coordination.

As Integrity Manager, Blaine oversees integrity crews, manages documentation, and ensures all work meets client specifications and regulatory expectations. His practical experience and clear communication help keep fast-moving integrity projects safe, accurate, and on schedule.

Test & Treat Manager

Michael Abernathy

Michael is a leading expert in wood pole assessment and test and treat programs. With hands-on experience inspecting over half a million utility poles, he brings unmatched practical insight into pole conditions, decay patterns, and groundline evaluations. His background includes intrusive and non-intrusive inspections, remedial treatments, production oversight, and training new inspectors.

At KEG, Michael leads the Test & Treat division, builds training standards, oversees field execution, and ensures safe, accurate program delivery. His expertise strengthens KEG’s footprint in the electric utility sector and helps clients extend the life and reliability of their pole systems.

Business Development Manager

Justin Hunter

Justin supports KEG’s growth across utilities, energy, and infrastructure markets. He brings two years of experience in sales, client relations, and service coordination. Justin focuses on responsiveness, relationship building, and understanding client needs so KEG can match them with the right field support.

He works closely with KEG’s leadership and operations teams to ensure smooth onboarding and reliable communication from initial contact through project completion. Justin plays an important role in expanding KEG’s reach with utilities, co-ops, IOUs, EPCs, and service partners.

Account Coordinator

Cherie Baber

Cherie Baber is the Accounts Coordinator with over 30 years of experience as a software engineer supporting Fortune 500 companies. Her background includes delivering and maintaining complex enterprise systems, partnering across technical and business teams, and operating effectively in high-stakes, results-driven environments. Cherie leverages her deep technical foundation, strong organizational capabilities, and clear communication style to support account operations, align stakeholders, and help ensure projects are executed efficiently and strategically.

Account Coordinator

Hope Robinson

Account Coordinator at Keystone Energy Group supporting Account Managers and clients through day-to-day back-office operations. Hope serves as a liaison between teams to ensure clear communication, organized project execution, and consistent client support. Her role includes scheduling, reporting, documentation management, and tracking project progress, helping keep work moving efficiently behind the scenes.

Account Coordinator

Chris Hurst

Chris Hurst brings over 30 years of oil and gas industry experience, with a career rooted in field operations, inspection, and integrity management. Having worked his way up from the field into leadership roles, Chris has spent decades managing inspectors, contractors, and crews, giving him a clear understanding of what separates strong inspectors from poor ones.