Christmann succeeds Farris as Apache’s president, CEO

Jan. 20, 2015
Apache Corp., Houston, has appointed John J. Christmann IV as its president and chief executive officer and named him to the company’s board. He takes over the role from G. Steven Farris, who is retiring. Both moves are effective Jan. 20.

Apache Corp., Houston, has appointed John J. Christmann IV as its president and chief executive officer and named him to the company’s board. He takes over the role from G. Steven Farris, who is retiring. Both moves are effective Jan. 20.

Farris will continue as nonexecutive chairman until May 1, at which time he will retire from the board.

Christmann, an 18-year veteran of Apache, previously served as the company’s executive vice-president and chief operating officer, North America (OGJ Online, Sept. 23, 2013). Before that, he was region vice-president, Permian, from 2010 through 2013, where he established Apache’s Midland office and oversaw a doubling of production during his tenure, the company says (OGJ Online, Jan. 7, 2010).

From 2004 to 2010, Christmann served as vice-president, business development, where his team executed more than $6 billion in acquisitions and divestments (OGJ Online, Jan. 14, 2004).

The outgoing Farris joined Apache in 1988 and has served as its chief executive officer since 2002 and as chairman since 2009 (OGJ Online, May 7, 2002; Jan. 19, 2009). He served as president and chief operating officer from 1994 to 2009, as senior vice-president from 1991 to 1994, and as vice-president, exploration and production from 1998 to 1991.