Paul Varello
President & CEO
Before founding Commonwealth Projects, LLC (CPL) in 2014, Paul spent over 50 years in the engineering and construction sector, 30 years of which was in C-level management positions. His resume includes Fluor and American Ref-Fuel, and the overseeing of countless oil and gas, chemical, power generation, and LNG projects from design to delivery.
Management Team
Clay Watson, Chief Financial Officer
Clay has over 15 years of accounting and finance experience, He is responsible for the overall financial strategy and direction at Commonwealth Projects. Clay successfully executed multiple equity and debt financings for similar development projects.
Daniel McGinnis, Chief Commercial Officer
Dan is an industry executive with extensive experience in the LNG sector and project development including a depth of knowledge in the areas of strategy, business development, marketing & trading, government & regulatory issues and media relations. Dan oversees all commercial activities of the project.
Robert Powers, Chief Operating Officer
With a long history of success on international LNG Projects such as Gorgon LNG, Gladstone LNG, and PNG LNG, Robert oversees the execution of all activities related to Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Permitting.
Scott Ray, Vice President
Scott has over 30 years of domestic and international engineering and management experience in the industry and has constructed multiple liquefaction facilities around the globe, Scott is leading the effort for process design and technology for our LNG project.
Erik Jansson, P.E. VP Engineering & Procurement
Erik has over 30 years of industrial experience including oil and gas, power generation, general industrial, commercial, environmental compliance and modular fabrication. Erik leads the technical execution of all activities related to Engineering and Procurement.
Hans Verswijver, VP Marine & Permitting
A 30-year veteran in shipping, logistics, and transport of liquefied petrochemical gases. Hans has spent the last 5 years purely on developing LNG projects. Hans oversees all activities relating to waterway transportation, logistics, safety and permitting.
Stuart Sperling, Vice President
Stuart recently joined the Commonwealth team from Poten & Partners, where he spent the last three years analyzing and tracking US LNG export projects for prospective LNG buyers and investors. Prior to his work with Poten, he served as BG Group’s head shipping attorney.
Jonathan Allcock, Senior Project Engineer
Jonathan has over 30 years’ experience in the design and fabrication of oil and gas platforms, wharves and outfalls inclusive of dredging. Jonathan has been involved in several dozen topsides, jackets and associated bridges across the globe.
Nick Eusepi, Controller
Nick has 10 years of accounting and finance experience mainly through audit and attest work in mid-market public accounting firms and experience serving as treasurer of a non-profit, He is responsible for overseeing accounting, financial reporting, information technology and human resources.
Jereme Gray, Counsel
Building on a rich experience in representing energy-sector clients in complex commercial and technical transactions, Jereme has served as Commonwealth’s general counsel since June 2018. He is responsible for overseeing all of Commonwealth’s corporate governance and legal matters.
Advisory Board
Don Cruver, Chairman of the Board
Founder of Cruver, Robbins & Fu, LLP and a highly experienced international lawyer/executive with decades of engineering and construction industry experience.
Rod J. Ragan, Director
President and co-founder of Energy Allied International having over 40 years of major project experience in upstream and downstream oil and gas, petrochemical, industrial and power projects. Rod is also President at Sandpiper Chemicals LLC, a 1 million ton/year methanol plant under development.
David Sargent, Director
Managing Director at Duff & Phelps with over 30 years of M&A origination, execution, management experience and board experience with middle-market public and private companies.
Joe Cutillo, Director
CEO at Sterling Construction Company with nearly 30 years of executive management experience and a deep understanding of emerging opportunities in heavy civil construction, industrial, and adjacent markets.
Jeff Early, Director
Former Texas Regional President for The Northern Trust Company’s wealth management division with 40 years of experience. Mr. Early also serves on several local community boards including: Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, UTHealth, Salvation Army, and Coronado Club.
Jack Robbins, Board Secretary
Managing Partner of Cruver, Robbins & Fu with extensive experience drafting and negotiating a wide variety of project-related contracts, such as engineering, EPC, EPCM, survey, inspection, manufacturing, fabrication and consulting agreements in more than twenty countries.
