Permian People: July 2026

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

 

The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (CGMF) announced May 19 that Marilu Hastings, Executive Vice President and Director of the Mitchell Innovation Lab, is launching an independent advisory firm, Meridian House, departing the foundation July 3. Hastings’s new endeavor will focus on infrastructure governance, regional development, and advanced energy deployment. She will continue leading the Permian Energy Development Lab (PEDL) as executive chair, building on the work she launched through CGMF’s Mitchell Innovation Lab. Hastings’s work with the Mitchell family began in 1996 at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), the sustainability research institution founded by George P. Mitchell in 1982. In 2011, she joined CGMF to carry that mission forward through philanthropy. Most recently, her leadership of PEDL—a CGMF-incubated partnership of industry, government, academia, and NGOs that cultivates advanced energy development while creating opportunities for energy communities—has shaped how CGMF engages with energy infrastructure governance. Grant Mitchell, CGMF board chair, said, “Few people have shaped this foundation more than Marilu. Our family is deeply grateful for her vision, her tenacity, and her unwavering commitment to the foundation’s mission.” Hastings said, “George P. Mitchell believed the transition to a sustainable society was both necessary and achievable. That conviction has guided my work for three decades—first at HARC, then at the Energy Foundation, and for the past 15 years at CGMF.”

 

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XCEL Group on May 13 appointed Brian Smith as business development manager, responsible for supporting the company’s continued expansion across key markets. Smith joins XCEL Group in their Houston office. He is to focus on developing business relationships with owner-operators and contractors, while promoting XCEL’s non-destructive testing (NDT), mechanical integrity, and advanced inspection services, including drone and remote visual inspection technologies. Smith brings industry experience, having previously held leadership roles with Ranger Inspection, Nexxis Technologies, Qi2 Elements, Audubon Engineering, and HMT Inspection. He holds a degree in distribution management and technology and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Cole Morehead, XCEL CEO, said, “Brian will strengthen our ability to serve clients across multiple regions and industries. He brings valuable experience and a strong understanding of our customers’ needs.”

 

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Gulfport Energy Corporation announced May 5 that Domenic “Nick” Dell’Osso, Jr. had been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 28. Timothy J. Cutt, Gulfport’s Chairman of the Board, remarked, “Nick is a highly respected proven leader with the strategic vision, financial discipline, and operational expertise to propel Gulfport forward into its next chapter of value creation.” Dell’Osso, for his own part, said, “It’s a great honor to join Gulfport at such a pivotal moment for the Company and the industry. Demand for energy is rapidly growing, and natural gas is at the epicenter of this growth. Gulfport is incredibly well-positioned with a high-quality, deep, and concentrated asset base adjacent to growing demand centers, a strong balance sheet, and a talented team from top to bottom.” Dell’Osso has more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Expand Energy Corporation (formerly Chesapeake Energy Corporation) from 2021 to February 2026. During his tenure as CEO, Expand Energy became the largest natural gas producer in the United States and grew EBITDA and free cash flow significantly. The company also became widely recognized as the capital efficiency and cost leader in every basin of operations, exhibiting disciplined capital allocation to match market conditions and return significant capital to shareholders.

 

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Occidental (OXY) announced May 1 that its board of directors, as part of its management succession planning, named Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Richard Jackson to succeed Vicki Hollub as President and CEO upon her retirement June 1. The board also announced Jackson will join the board of directors, effective June 1. Hollub, who served as CEO since 2016 and has been a board member since 2015, will continue to serve on the company’s board following retirement, ensuring continuity and ongoing strategic guidance. Said Hollub: “It has been a privilege to lead Occidental and work alongside such a talented team for more than 40 years…. We now have the best portfolio and the best technical expertise in Occidental’s history. With this strong foundation in place, a clear path forward, and a leader like Richard, who has the experience and vision to elevate Occidental, now is the right time for this transition.” Jackson joined Occidental in 2003 in its Middle East operations. During his time at Occidental, he has held pivotal leadership and technical positions. Said Jackson: “I am grateful to be appointed President and CEO of Occidental and excited about the opportunity to execute from the strong position and capabilities that we built under Vicki’s leadership. It means a lot to me personally to be a part of our Occidental team. I am committed to delivering value from our significant and high-quality resource base. We have a tremendous opportunity to focus on organic improvement and execution to deliver meaningful value for our employees, shareholders and partners.”

 

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Chevron Corporation announced March 31 the appointment of Daniel Woodall as Chief Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Officer, effective May 1. Woodall, 49, now leads Chevron’s enterprise-wide strategy to protect people, communities, and the environment while supporting safe and reliable operations across Chevron’s global portfolio. With more than 25 years of experience, Woodall joined Chevron as an engineer and progressed through leadership roles spanning upstream and downstream operations globally. His most recent role was as Director of Operations and maintenance for Chevron Australia.

 

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