Inside Diamondback’s Growth with COO Danny Wesson

In this episode of Fueling Tomorrow, host Erin Bailey sits down with Diamondback’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Danny Wesson, for a candid conversation about leadership, innovation, and the company’s remarkable journey from its early Wolfberry days to becoming a nearly 950,000 BOE/day operator. Danny reflects on joining Diamondback in 2012 as part of the original team, what it meant to “build a better mousetrap” in a small, resource-limited company, and how a humble curiosity mindset still drives their operational excellence today. He shares insights on scaling operations, how technology and AI are transforming field efficiency, the importance of mentorship, and what it takes to lead with values in today’s energy industry. The conversation also highlights Diamondback’s commitment to strengthening Midland—through education, support for the disenfranchised, STEM initiatives, and beloved programs like the Rolling Baristas. Whether you’re in the oil and gas industry, passionate about leadership, or interested in Diamondback’s impact on the Permian Basin, this episode offers depth, perspective, and inspiration directly from the COO guiding daily operations. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:27 – Joining Diamondback in 2012 03:16 – Early culture and taking a chance on the company 05:53 – Evolution of operations and technology 08:50 – Humble curiosity and team culture 12:00 – Digital transformation and AI’s impact 14:48 – Goals and priorities for 2026 16:18 – Danny’s core leadership principles 20:29 – Lessons from early leadership roles 23:44 – Mentorship and influence of Travis Stice 26:02 – Community engagement and Midland initiatives 30:27 – The future of energy 32:22 – Final message to Diamondback employees