1Q26 SW App Business Unit Snapshot:

Employee Spotlight

Get to Know Land Admin Supervisor Chase Howell (and our new Owner Relations chatbot, Robbie)

Chase Howell has long focused on strengthening relationships with the individuals who we lease with (commonly called ‘owners’) and improving how they access company information. Recognizing that many owner questions are routine but time‑sensitive, Chase initiated and led the development of Robbie — Expand Energy’s new AI‑driven Owner Relations chatbot. His goal was simple: create a tool that expands access and responsiveness and supports owners with clear, reliable information any time they need it.

What inspired the idea for Robbie, and why was this the right time to introduce an Owner Relations chatbot?
We saw an opportunity to make it easier for owners to get quick, accurate answers without waiting for business hours or navigating multiple pages on our website. Our Owner Relations team handles a wide range of questions, many of them routine, and we wanted to give owners a convenient way to get that information instantly. Robbie helps us meet owners where they are — any time of day — while still giving them direct access to our team for more complex needs. It’s just one of the ways we’re leveraging AI to better engage with our stakeholders.

How does Robbie improve the owner experience and support the work of the Land and Owner Relations teams?
Robbie helps owners navigate common requests like updating account information, checking well status, exploring leasing opportunities or reporting community concerns. By handling these frequent questions, the chatbot frees up our team to focus on more detailed or unique issues that require personal attention. It’s an added layer of support that strengthens communication and helps ensure owners get the right information quickly and reliably.

You’ve been at the company, working in the Land department, for nearly 12 years. What is Expand Energy’s approach to a successful leasing relationship?
We believe that strong relationships are built on communication — whether that’s through a conversation with our team or a digital tool that makes it easier to stay informed. Owners want straightforward information about their leasehold and operations, and they want to be heard. This respect is something that we deliver every day.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy spending time, in particular traveling, with my wife Mandy and our kids Sam (10) and Ellie (7). We’ve taken our kids to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East! One of my favorite hobbies is coaching Sam’s school basketball team and getting creative with the defensive schemes we deploy (think triangle and 2). Other things I find joy in are fishing for red fish in Louisiana, playing golf and showing pictures to everyone I can of my collection of Geo Trackers.

Meet Robbie: an always‑available way to get lease information, adding convenience without replacing direct connection with our Owner Relations team.

In the Community

During the past quarter, Expand Energy’s employees have been active members of their communities, supporting charitable initiatives in our operating areas. Highlights include:

• Supporting Neighbors Facing Financial Hardship
  Recognizing that access to reliable energy is fundamental to community well-being, Expand Energy partnered with United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley to launch the Expand Energy Relief Fund. The fund provides financial assistance for home energy expenses to individuals and families facing hardship, with funds distributed through United Way’s 211 Program. Community members in need can learn more at unitedwayuov.org.

• Welcoming the Next Class of Leaders at Energy Day
  For the third year in a row, Expand Energy hosted Leadership Wheeling’s Energy Day, bringing together 25 area business leaders for an inside look at oil and natural gas industry. Participants spent the day learning about how Expand Energy drills for natural gas, our approach to safety and environmental stewardship and how we give back to our community. Community leaders participated in an educational day in January and toured a rig in April, giving them an immersive experience emphasizing the impact of our industry as a driver of the local economy.

• Caring for Big Wheeling Creek — from Clean Banks to Healthy Ecosystems
  For the fourth year in a row, SW App employees partnered with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, fifth graders from Elm Grove Elementary, local operators and other community partners to clean up trash along the banks of Big Wheeling Creek and stock more than 4,000 pounds of trout into the waterway. In the days leading up to the event, Expand Energy employees visited Elm Grove Elementary to discuss trout biology (using live fish) and demonstrate how the species survive in water ecosystems. See more information about the event here.