Cardinal Energy is a private energy company headquartered in Knoxville, TN, with operations centered in Harlan County, Kentucky.
We specialize in the production of high-BTU, low-sulfur coal and natural gas to support the nation’s growing energy demands, especially in AI data centers, crypto mining, and heavy industry.
Who We Are
Fifth Generation Energy Specialists.
Cardinal’s journey began over 75 years ago through the work of William F Conley. Owning and operating mines in addition to building a significant mining equipment company, Conley deeply appreciated the long-term potential of Eastern Kentucky. His family, Brian Conley and Keith George, continue to carry this legacy into the modern era.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to transform Eastern Kentucky into a critical energy and innovation corridor, powering U.S. economic growth and national security for generations to come. Our mission and strategy is simple:
Own, lease and mine resource-rich land in Appalachia
Support domestic energy production for both next generation and legacy industrial sectors
Drive long-term Appalachian development by expanding regional opportunities
Leadership
Brian M. Conley, Founder and CEO
A seasoned energy executive, Brian M. Conley brings more than 30 years of experience in natural resource development, infrastructure strategy, and entrepreneurial ventures across both legacy and emerging markets. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to revitalizing America's energy independence—starting with the coal and gas-rich basins of Eastern Kentucky.
Brian’s vision for Cardinal Energy is informed not only by his professional background, but also by a deep family legacy rooted in Appalachian history. This legacy of leadership continues through Brian’s mission to bring sustainable industry, job creation, and energy infrastructure to underserved areas of Appalachia.
Under Brian’s leadership, Cardinal Energy has secured key mineral and land holdings, built a strong technical team, and positioned itself at the forefront of energy solutions for AI, crypto, and traditional industry. Brian maintains residences in Knoxville, Tennessee and New York City while also keeping close ties to Eastern Kentucky, where his work is helping to transform regional potential into a national opportunity.
Keith George, Chief Strategy Officer
Keith George is a strategic executive operating at the intersection of energy infrastructure, data center development and the digital economy. Keith brings together deep professional roots and relationships in Silicon Valley and New York City with a multi-generational background in energy development across Appalachia. The result is a unique perspective shaped equally by the demands of modern digital infrastructure and the realities of building and operating energy assets at scale.
Keith has founded and scaled multiple technology-driven businesses and advised enterprise organizations through periods of global digital transformation, commercial strategy, and venture leadership. This experience positions him to address one of the energy sector’s most pressing challenges today: delivering resilient, efficient, and scalable power solutions to meet the accelerating demand from data centers, cloud infrastructure, and AI-driven workloads. Keith has his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Key Investors
& Advisors
Dane Schism, Founder and CEO of Cellular Sales
Henny Weissinger, President Smoky Mountain Coal Corporation
Jane Overton, Investment Banker, JP Morgan
Mark Williams, Legal Counsel at Young, Williams & Theiss
