Vivakor Strengthens Executive Leadership Team

Strategic COO and CFO Appointments Enhance Operational and Financial Capabilities

Vivakor, an integrated provider of energy transportation, storage, reuse, and remediation services, announced the appointments of Kimberly Hawley as EVP and Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer and Les Patterson as EVP and Chief Operating Officer.

Vivakor Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer James Ballengee commented, “I couldn’t be more pleased with the appointments of Les and Kimberly. Les brings operational discipline and deep industry experience that will be instrumental as we focus on improving profitability and scaling efficiently. Kimberly adds a new level of financial insight that strengthens our ability to deliver transparency and long-term value to our stakeholders. With this leadership in place, we’re positioned to execute on our future plan of operations with confidence and precision.”

Ms. Hawley is a widely respected financial executive with more than 25 years of experience leading corporate finance, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance across both public and private companies. With a strong background in energy, infrastructure, and logistics sectors, she has built a reputation for financial leadership in complex, high-growth environments. Her core areas of expertise include SEC and GAAP financial reporting, SOX compliance, treasury operations, audit management, and cross-functional execution. At Vivakor, Ms. Hawley will bring a disciplined, transparent approach to financial leadership, playing a critical role in strengthening the Company’s financial reporting.

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“I believe Vivakor is at an inflection point, and I’m excited to join a team committed to operational excellence and strategic growth,” said Ms. Hawley. “My focus will be on enhancing financial discipline, elevating reporting, and aligning our financial strategy with our long-term operational goals.”

Mr. Patterson is a highly accomplished operations executive with over 30 years of leadership in the domestic and international oil and gas industries. He has successfully managed critical functions across operations, engineering, construction, project execution, and corporate strategy for some of the world’s most prominent energy companies, including BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell. His extensive experience spans both onshore and offshore environments, with a proven ability to lead complex capital projects from inception through completion, ensuring technical precision, cost control, and regulatory compliance. At Vivakor, Mr. Patterson will drive execution across the Company’s asset base with a focus on accelerating revenue growth, improving margin performance, and ensuring scalable, sustainable operations.

“My focus will be on driving operational excellence, optimizing our existing asset base, and expanding revenue streams with an eye toward long-term value creation,” said Mr. Patterson.

Vivakor, Inc. is an integrated provider of transportation, storage, reuse, and remediation services. Its corporate mission is to develop, acquire, accumulate, and operate assets, properties, and technologies in the energy sector. Vivakor’s integrated facilities assets provide crude oil storage, transportation, future reuse, and remediation services under long-term contracts. Vivakor’s oilfield waste remediation facilities will facilitate the recovery, reuse, and disposal of petroleum byproducts and oilfield waste products.

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