SandRidge Energy names CEO, president

June 21, 2013
SandRidge Energy Inc., Oklahoma City, has named James Bennett as chief executive officer and president. Lead independent director Jeffrey Serota will serve as interim nonexecutive chairman.

SandRidge Energy Inc., Oklahoma City, has named James Bennett as chief executive officer and president. Lead independent director Jeffrey Serota will serve as interim nonexecutive chairman.

Separately, SandRidge announced that Tom Ward, former chairman and chief executive officer, is leaving the company.

Bennett served as chief financial officer since January 2011 and was promoted to president in March. Prior to joining the company, he was managing director for White Deer Energy, a private equity fund focused on the oil and gas industry.

From 2006 to December 2009, Bennett was employed by GSO Capital Partners, where he served in various capacities in its energy group, including managing director. Bennett succeeds Ward, who founded the company in 2006 and has served as chairman and chief executive officer since it was founded.