Travis Thomas Steps Down as CFO of Ring Energy; Rocky Kwon Appointed Interim CFO
CFO Resignation: Ring Energy's CFO, Travis Thomas, has resigned immediately to pursue other opportunities, with no disagreements reported between him and the company.
Interim CFO Appointment: Rocky Kwon, the Vice President of Accounting, has been appointed as Interim CFO while the company searches for a new CFO; he has been with Ring since 2021 and has extensive financial experience.
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- Executive Appointment: Ring Energy announced that Sundip Johl will join as Chief Financial Officer effective February 27, 2026, bringing over 20 years of oil and gas investment banking and corporate finance experience, which is expected to enhance the company's financial strategy capabilities.
- Industry Background: While at Raymond James as Co-Head of Energy Investment Banking, Johl successfully advised multiple public and private E&P companies, particularly in the Permian Basin, showcasing his deep expertise in capital markets.
- Strategic Value: CEO Paul McKinney stated that Johl's extensive experience will be crucial as the company aims to build size and scale while creating value for shareholders, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth.
- Educational Credentials: Johl holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, further enhancing his expertise in finance and capital markets.
- Executive Appointment: Ring Energy has appointed Sundip Singh Johl as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, effective February 27, 2026, with Johl previously serving as Managing Director and Co-Head of Energy Investment Banking at Raymond James, where he was instrumental in shaping financial strategies.
- Debt Reduction Target: The company aims to achieve a $10 million debt reduction target in Q4 2025, leveraging cost optimization strategies to enhance its financial health and bolster future investment capabilities.
- Borrowing Base Reaffirmation: Ring Energy has reaffirmed its borrowing base under its credit facility, ensuring stable liquidity for future financial operations, which supports ongoing business development and expansion plans.
- Cost Savings Strategy: The company is benefiting from lower third-party costs, which is expected to further enhance profitability and cash flow, strengthening its position in the competitive energy market.
- Financial Results Announcement: RioCan is set to release its financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2025, after market close on February 17, 2026, ensuring timely access to critical information for investors.
- Conference Call Invitation: Management will host a conference call on February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, providing a direct interaction opportunity with investors to enhance transparency and communication efficiency.
- Simplified Participation: Participants can pre-register to receive dial-in credentials, ensuring smooth access to the call, which reflects the company's commitment to improving investor experience.
- Replay Service Available: Investors unable to attend live can access a replay for one week post-conference, ensuring widespread dissemination of information and ongoing investor relations maintenance.

Investment Performance: Aristotle Capital Boston, LLC reported that its Small Cap Equity Fund underperformed the Russell 2000 Index in Q3 2025, achieving a return of 3.16% compared to the index's 12.39% total return, despite a favorable macroeconomic environment.
Focus on Ring Energy, Inc.: The fund highlighted Ring Energy, Inc. (AMEX:REI), an oil and gas exploration company, which saw a significant decline in its stock price and was liquidated from the fund due to a weakening energy market outlook.
Hedge Fund Interest: Ring Energy, Inc. was held by 15 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, a decrease from 20 in the previous quarter, indicating reduced interest among hedge funds.
Shift to AI Investments: The fund expressed a preference for certain AI stocks over Ring Energy, citing greater upside potential and lower downside risk, and encouraged readers to explore their report on undervalued AI stocks.
- Distribution Announcement: RioCan has declared a distribution of 9.65 cents per unit for December 2025, payable on January 8, 2026, which reflects the company's ongoing cash flow stability and helps bolster investor confidence.
- Record Holders: The distribution will be paid to unitholders of record as of December 31, 2025, ensuring investor return expectations are met and further solidifying trust between the company and its investors.
- Portfolio Scale: As of September 30, 2025, RioCan's portfolio consists of 173 properties with a total net leasable area of approximately 32 million square feet, highlighting its market position in meeting the everyday shopping needs of Canadians.
- Strategic Development: RioCan focuses on the ownership, management, and development of necessity-based and mixed-use properties, indicating the company's commitment to providing quality services in densely populated communities to address evolving consumer demands.
- Market Dialogue: Ring Energy will participate in a fireside chat with Water Tower Research on December 9, 2025, discussing the company's strategies in navigating a volatile global oil market, which is expected to attract investor interest.
- Asset Performance: The assets acquired from Lime Rock at the end of Q1 2025 have demonstrated solid operational and cost performance, indicating the company's strong asset management capabilities in an uncertain market environment.
- Capital Budget Planning: Ring is constructing its 2026 capital budget aimed at reducing leverage across various oil price scenarios, thereby enhancing the company's financial stability and risk resilience.
- Future Development Potential: The company is identifying future development inventory on its existing asset base, which will support long-term growth and ensure a competitive edge in the challenging oil and gas market.






