Ascent Resources appoints Shughart to succeed Fisher as CEO

Shughart, who currently serves as president and CFO of the privately held natural gas producer, will also continue as hold the position while the search for a CFO successor is finalized.

Jan. 5, 2026

Ascent Resources LLC, Oklahoma City, has appointed Brooks Shughart to succeed Jeffrey A. Fisher as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 31, 2026.

Fisher will continue to serve as chairman and chief executive officer through Jan. 31, his retirement date. Following his retirement, Fisher will serve as special advisor to executive management and the board through Dec. 31, 2026, supporting the company as an independent advisor. Fisher has seved Ascent Resources as chief executive officer since December 2014. He was elected chairman of the board in February 2015.

Shughart, who currently serves as president and chief financial officer of the company, will continue as chief financial officer while a search for a successor is finalized, the company said in a release Jan. 5. Shughart was named chief financial officer in May 2020 and was appointed president in September 2025.

Ascent is a privately held US natural gas producer with a focus on acquiring, developing, and operating natural gas and oil properties in the Utica Shale in southern Ohio.