# Rusty Hutson

> Rusty Hutson is the Birmingham-based founder, chairman and CEO of Diversified Energy. A fourth-generation member of a West Virginia oil-and-gas family and a 1991 Fairmont State accounting graduate, he worked in banking before building a business around acquiring and operating producing wells. His public activities also include university governance and education philanthropy in West Virginia.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Diversified Energy Company
- **Organizations:** Diversified Energy Company, West Virginia University Board of Governors, Fairmont State University Board of Governors (former chair), American Exploration & Production Council, Bank One (former employer), Compass Financial Services (former employer)
- **Education:** Accounting, Fairmont State University
- **Known for:** Built Diversified from a small West Virginia operation into a publicly traded energy producer., West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year, 2019., Inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, 2023.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Graduated from Fairmont State with an accounting degree.
- **Before 2005** — Worked in banking, including Bank One and Compass; ended his banking career as CFO of Compass Financial Services.
- **2001** — Started the business that became Diversified, purchasing producing wells in West Virginia while employed in Birmingham.
- **2005** — Committed to the energy business full time.
- **2017** — Diversified joined London’s AIM market.
- **2020** — Diversified moved to the London main market and joined the FTSE 250.
- **2023** — Diversified added a New York Stock Exchange listing; Hutson entered the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame.
- **2024** — Joined the WVU Board of Governors after serving on Fairmont State’s board.
- **2025** — Became WVU Board of Governors chair; Diversified acquired Maverick Natural Resources and Canvas Energy.
- **2026** — Appointed Diversified board chairman on August 5; company announced the Birch acquisition on September 2.

## Achievements

- Built Diversified from a small West Virginia operation into a publicly traded energy producer.
- West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year, 2019.
- Inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame, 2023.
- Rusty and Kimberly Hutson committed $400,000 for Fairmont State business scholarships in 2019.
- The couple provided $1 million for experiential-learning fellowships at WVU’s Chambers College as part of a 2022 gift.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Discussed Birmingham office expansion and an Oklahoma drilling program in an October 12 interview.
- **2026-09** — Diversified announced definitive agreements for an approximately $1.8 billion Birch acquisition, expected to close in Q4 2026, subject to conditions.
- **2026-08** — Became Diversified chairman effective August 5, retaining the CEO role.
- **2026-05** — Company reported 486 well retirements in 2025: 388 company-owned and 98 third-party/orphan wells.

## Links

- Website: https://www.div.energy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-hutson-9451564a
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/div_energy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiversifiedEnergyCoPLC/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rusty-hutson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23