Movers and Shakers

Hirings, promotions, and other personnel matters in the nation’s biggest oil patch—or in companies who do business here.

 

Midland-based Diamondback Energy announced on Feb. 20 that Travis D. Stice, who has led Diamondback as Chief Executive Officer since January 2012, will step down as CEO effective as of the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At that time, Stice will transition from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board, and Kaes Van’t Hof, current President of the Company, will succeed Stice as CEO and will join the Board of Directors. Meanwhile, Jere Thompson, formerly Executive Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, assumed the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Melanie M. Trent, Lead Independent Director, remarked, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank and congratulate Travis for his leadership over the last 14 years. His hard work, dedication, and commitment to Diamondback grew an unknown, small-cap oil producer in 2012 into one of the largest oil and gas companies in North America. His accomplishments during his tenure exceed anything that can be explained by words on a page and go well beyond the industry-leading performance of the stock price.” Stice, for his own part, remarked on Van’t Hof’s appointment, saying, “Kaes has earned the opportunity to lead us into a future that is brighter than ever before. The Board of Directors unanimously and wholeheartedly support him as he steps into this pivotal role and continues to build on our legacy of success.”

 

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In related news, Diamondback’s subsidiary Viper Energy announced on the same day (Feb. 20) that Travis D. Stice transitioned from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Kaes Van’t Hof, current President of the Company, succeeds Stice as Chief Executive Officer. Austen Gilfillian, current Vice President of Viper, assumed the role of President.

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Chevron Corporation announced on Feb. 24 that Clay Neff, its President/International Exploration and Production, was named President/Upstream, effective July 1. Bruce Niemeyer, then President/Americas Exploration and Production, was named President/Shale and Tight, effective July 1. Ryder Booth, then Vice President/Mid-Continent Business Unit, was named Vice President/Technology, Projects, and Execution, effective July 1. “Our new organizational structure and leadership appointments are designed to improve our operational efficiency and position Chevron for sustained growth,” said Mike Wirth, Chevron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “These changes will help enable us to drive innovation and execution and deliver value for our shareholders.”

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In an earlier announcement, Chevron Corporation said that Laura Lane became Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, effective February 1. Lane oversees the company’s government affairs, communications, and social investment activities. She is based in Houston and succeeds Al Williams, who is retiring in April after 34 years at the company. According to Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth, “Laura’s background in both the private and public sectors, her proven leadership in complex global organizations, and her experience working in diverse geographic locations makes her well-suited to lead Chevron’s global corporate affairs activities.”

 

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Houston-based GTC Vorro Technology, a provider of environmental process technologies to oil and gas, refining, and petrochemical companies, announced Feb. 26 the appointment of Brian Pace to Vice President of Environmental Services. Pace will oversee GTC Vorro’s Environmental Services Division, providing turnkey sulfur removal services.

 

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Baker Hughes Company announced on Feb. 25 that Ahmed Moghal, who then served as chief financial officer of its Industrial and Energy Technology business, was appointed CFO of the Company, effective immediately. Prior to his role with IET, Moghal held senior positions in various business and corporate roles. In his new role, he succeeds Nancy Buese, who, by mutual agreement with the company, ceased to serve as CFO effective Feb. 25.

 

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Houston-based Talos Energy Inc. announced Feb. 3 that it appointed Paul Goodfellow to the office of President/Chief Executive Officer and to membership on its board of directors. Goodfellow had more than 30 years of domestic and international experience in the oil and natural gas industry during a career at Shell, where he began in 1991. There, Goodfellow held various senior executive roles, including leading Shell’s global deepwater business, which included activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Offshore Mexico, Brazil, West Africa, Malaysia, the North Sea and other international areas.

 

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Opportune LLP, a Houston-based global business advisory firm, announced Jan. 20 that Jade Wang joined the firm as a Principal in its Oil and Gas Process and Technology Practice. With 24 years of broad experience in the energy industry, Wang will focus on expanding the firm’s service lines in Upstream, Midstream, and Energy Components. Before joining Opportune, Wang was Senior Director of Professional Services for Quorum Software, where she was responsible for optimizing Global Services delivery and leading commercial strategy for more than 450 global employees. On Jan 8, Opportune announced the promotions of Maggie Caldwell to Managing Director in Tax and Patrick Long to Principal in Process and Technology.

 

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APA Corporation, parent company of Apache Corp., announced Jan. 6 that Clay Bretches, Executive Vice President/Operations, announced plans to retire July 1. The company launched an internal and external search for a new leader to drive continued innovation and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, the company named Kimberly Warnica to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, effective Jan. 13. Said John J. Christmann, IV, CEO of APA Corporation.: “Kim’s experience will be a great complement to our legal team and the broader APA leadership team.” Warnica joins APA following her most recent role as EVP, General Counsel, and Secretary of Marathon Oil Corporation.

 

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Bracewell LLP announced Jan. 6 that Bryan L. Clark has joined the firm’s Dallas office as a partner in both the firm’s oil and gas and energy transition practice groups. Clark is returning to private practice after serving for over a decade as the primary midstream counsel at Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. He also served as lead counsel on energy transition matters, including wind and solar development, for the Fortune 200 company, which is now part of ExxonMobil Corporation.