Watson named Chevron chairman, chief executive officer

Sept. 30, 2009
Chevron Corp. has elected John S. Watson to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the company effective Dec. 31.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 30
-- Chevron Corp. has elected John S. Watson to serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the company effective Dec. 31.

Watson, who is currently vice-chairman, succeeds David J. O’Reilly, who will retire after a 41-year career, including 10 years as chairman and chief executive officer.

Chevron’s board also elected George L. Kirkland to be vice-chairman, succeeding Watson in that capacity. As vice-chairman and executive vice-president of upstream and gas, Kirkland will retain responsibility for overseeing Chevron’s global oil and gas exploration and production activities.

Watson has had a 29-year career with Chevron and was named vice-chairman on Apr. 1 (OGJ Online, Mar. 9, 2009).