Prairie Operating names interim leadership as co-founders step away

Frommer, a member of the board, will serve as interim president and CEO while the company seeks a permanent president and chief executive.

March 3, 2026

Prairie Operating Co., Houston, has appointed Richard N. Frommer as interim president and chief executive officer following the voluntary resignation of chief executive and chairman, Edward Kovalik, and the retirement of president and director, Gary C. Hanna. Kovalik and Hanna are co-founders of the Denver-Julesburg basin-focused company.

Frommer, a member of the board and former president and chief executive officer of Great Western Petroleum, will serve in the interim position while the company seeks a permanent president and chief executive.

Additionally, the board has appointed Erik Thoresen, a director since 2023, to serve as chairman. Thoresen has been a partner at Boka Group LLC since November 2022. From January 2022 to December 2023, he served as chief financial officer of Fusion Acquisition Corp. II.