Permian People February 2025 – Movers and Shakers

February 2025 hiring’s, promotions, and other personnel matters in the nation’s biggest oil patch—or in companies who do business here.

 

Rick Muncrief, 66, has announced his retirement from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors of Devon Energy Corporation, effective March 1. The board of directors has appointed Clay Gaspar, currently Devon’s Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Muncrief as President and CEO and as a member of the board, effective March 1. John Bethancourt, Devon’s board chair, remarked, “Rick’s vision and stewardship have delivered significant value to Devon shareholders since the merger with WPX Energy in 2021. His contributions to the oil and gas business go well beyond Devon…. On behalf of Devon’s employees and the board of directors, I would like to thank Rick for his service to Devon and our industry throughout his long-distinguished career.” Speaking of Gaspar, Bethancourt said, “Clay’s selection as our next CEO is the result of a comprehensive succession planning process conducted by our board. He is an experienced leader, with the vision and industry expertise to guide Devon as we move forward. We are excited to collaborate with Clay to build upon the past success of Devon and create additional long-term value for our shareholders.” Gaspar, for his own part, remarked, “I am excited and humbled for the opportunity to lead such an outstanding organization. I want to thank Rick for his leadership and mentorship. We will remain focused on operating excellence across our portfolio of assets to deliver competitive and sustainable returns for our shareholders. Devon’s strategic objectives will remain the same while we leverage this opportunity to raise the bar.”

 

ExxonMobil announced Dec. 3 that Liam M. Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company and Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation, will retire effective February 1. The Board of Directors has appointed Dan L. Ammann as president, ExxonMobil Upstream Company. Ammann will continue as Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation, to succeed Mallon. The Board also has appointed Barry L. Engle as President, Low Carbon Solutions (LCS) and Vice President for Exxon Mobil Corporation, effective January. Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, said, “We thank Liam for his long-standing, dedicated service to the company, and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.” He added: “These appointments continue the company’s approach of leveraging the diverse skills and experiences of a very accomplished executive team to bring fresh perspectives and approaches to each of our exceptionally talented organizations. This has served us well over the last several years and is a useful, innovative way to strengthen our leadership teams, challenge conventions and broaden our people.” Ammann joined ExxonMobil in 2022 as President, Low

Carbon Solutions, to grow the company’s Low Carbon Solutions business and focus on delivering profitable, large-scale emissions-reduction solutions for key industries. He had previously been CEO of Cruise, which is majority-owned by General Motors (GM), in 2018, and was appointed President of GM in 2014. Engle joined ExxonMobil in September 2024 with three decades of experience in the automotive industry, including General Motors, where he was president of GM North America, GM’s largest business.

 

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ConocoPhillips announced Sept. 3 that its board of directors has elected Nelda J. Connors to serve as a board member. Connors has more than 25 years of experience in the industrial and manufacturing industries. In 2011, she founded Pine Grove Holdings, LLC, where she currently serves as Chair and CEO, overseeing investments in small- and mid-sized businesses with a high engineering component. Prior to founding Pine Grove Holdings, Connors served as President and chief executive officer of Atkore International Group, Inc., from 2008 to 2010, while Atkore was a division of Tyco International, and from 2010 to 2011, following Atkore’s spin-off as a separate, privately held entity. Connors has also held various managerial positions for Eaton Corporation, a diversified industrial manufacturer, and various executive and managerial roles in the automotive industry. Ryan Lance, Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips, said, “It is an honor to welcome Nelda to the ConocoPhillips board of directors. Nelda is a proven leader who brings valuable expertise in operational excellence and corporate finance. Her contributions will help advance all aspects of our Triple Mandate to meet energy transition pathway demand, generate competitive returns on and of capital, and progress toward our net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions ambition.” Connors currently serves on the boards of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc, Otis Worldwide Corporation, and Zebra Technologies Corporation. Connors will serve on the Audit and Finance Committee and Public Policy and Sustainability Committee of the ConocoPhillips board.