Brook J. Pauley - Managing Member

Brook knows firsthand the positive impacts natural gas has in rural areas of Appalachia which he is a part of. Brook’s vision and strategy are focused on building a legacy company that will always responsibly and safely develop minerals in the Marcellus Fairway.  Brook started J&L when he quickly noticed an opportunity to assemble strategic land positions near offset-producing reserves and pipelines. Brook has grown J&L’s contiguous land position to 4x its original size while securing convenient drilling sites near takeaway and water access.  As founder of J&L Brook has knowledge and experience in most facets of the industry, such as land, leasing, pre-drill operations, business development, and management.

Before founding J&L, Brook’s passion for the outdoors led him to start RockyBrook Sinkers LLC. RockyBrook is a fishing tackle manufacturing company with domestic and international Patents. RockyBrook has provided many local jobs with sales across America and around the world; to big box retailers, such as Wal-Mart, Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and many mom-and-pop sporting goods stores.  

Brook’s a third-generation entrepreneur. He’s a conservative thinker, problem solver, and hard worker who makes things happen. Brook’s honesty and transparency have helped him to build long-lasting relationships throughout his career.  Brook takes pride in building businesses that can provide work and income for his community.

Brook’s married with 3 kids and plays an active role in his community. He helps coach local youth sports; and served as a Mentor for troubled teens at the WV Mountaineer Challenge Academy. His favorite things to do are, spending time with his family, working on the farm, hunting, fishing, and going for hikes with his dogs.

Education & Professional Achievements:

  • Masters of Agriculture and Natural Resources from West Virginia University (WVU). and B.S. in Agribusiness and Rural Development from WVU.

  • Prestigiously awarded as a Distinguished Young Alumnus from West Virginia University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

  • Honored by WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin at the State of the State Address as an Outstanding Small Business owner.


Jay Hewitt - Drilling & Operations Manager

Jay is a drilling consultant and owner of Hewitt Energy Strategies. Hewitt and J&L work closely together on a project-by-project basis.  Jay is a third-generation Appalachian driller and drilled some of the first Marcellus wells and drilled the first Utica well. In the last decade has seen a capital expenditure of half a billion dollars and came in 3.7% under budgeted AFE. AFE’s written and final costs were consistently 20% under the nearest competitors in the industry.

Jay is a graduate of Marietta College with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering.

USDA Natural Gas Utilization Roundtable.

West Virginia Water Research Advisory Committee.

Adjunct professor at West Virginia University.

International Forum on Unconventional Gas Sustainability and the Environment lecturer and has authored over a dozen white papers.

SPE Regional Driller of the Year.

Hart's Energy Innovator of the Year.