PERSONNEL MOVES AND PROMOTIONS: Chesapeake Energy appoints Dixon, makes other executive changes

April 24, 2006
Chesapeake Energy Corp. appointed Steven C. Dixon executive vice-president, operations and chief operating officer.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. appointed Steven C. Dixon executive vice-president, operations, and chief operating officer.

Previously, Dixon served as the company’s senior vice-president of production for 11 years following 4 years as vice-president of exploration. Prior to joining Chesapeake in 1991, Dixon worked as a geological consultant. He began his career as a geologist with Beren Corp., Wichita, Kan.

Separately, J. Mark Lester, senior vice-president, exploration, was promoted to executive vice-president, exploration. Before joining Chesapeake in 1989, he served as a consultant to Chesapeake’s cofounders.

Also, Chesapeake has promoted and hired several vice-presidents.

Included in the promotions, Jeffrey A. Fisher was appointed senior vice-president, production. He had served as vice-president, operations, for Chesapeake’s southern division since mid-2005 and previously as operations manager. Before that, Fisher worked as a resource manager and an asset manager for BP PLC and as an engineering manager for Vastar Resources Inc.

William Wade Brawley, manager of land administration, was named vice-president, land administration. He joined Chesapeake in 1998.

Marty L. Byrd was named vice-president, land, for Chesapeake’s eastern division. He has 21 years of land experience with various oil and gas companies.

Reservoir Engineering Manager Gary L. Egger was promoted to vice-president, reservoir engineering. He joined Chesapeake in 1998 after 18 years as a senior evaluation engineer for Lee Keeling & Associates, Tulsa.

John M. Kapchinske, who joined the company in 2001, was appointed vice-president, geoscience, for Chesapeake’s southern division.

Ronnie D. Ward was promoted to vice-president, land, for Chesapeake’s northern division.

Chesapeake’s new hires were in its eastern and northern divisions. In the eastern division, Henry G. DeWitt was appointed vice-president, geoscience. Before joining the company, he worked for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. for 24 years.

Michael A. John was appointed vice-president, operations. Previously, he served as senior vice-president of operations for Canadian Natural Resources and its parent company, Triana Energy Holdings LLC.

In Chesapeake’s northern division, L. Craig Manaugh was named vice-president, operations. He previously worked for Dominion E&P and its predecessor companies, serving in various capacities including president and chief executive of Dominion Exploration Canada Ltd.

Scott D. Sachs was appointed vice-president, geosciences, for Chesapeake’s northern division. Previously, he worked for 19 years at Marathon Oil Co.

Upstream moves

John D. Oil & Gas Co., which entered the oil and gas exploration and development business last June and focuses on northeastern Ohio, has appointed Gregory J. Osborne president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Thomas J. Smith, who resigned.

Previously, Osborne served as president of Great Plains Exploration LLC and as executive vice-president of Orwell Natural Gas Co.

Antrim Energy Inc., Calgary, has appointed Kerry Fulton chief operating officer. He will oversee all technical aspects of Antrim’s international exploration and development activities.

Previously, Fulton served as project drilling manager for Encana Corp., vice-president operations for Gulfstream Resources Canada Ltd., and international drilling and operations manager for Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd.

Morgan
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Access Exploration Corp., Houston, has appointed Alan H. Morgan as vice-president, land.

Previously, Morgan served as vice-president, land, for Remora Oil Co. He has worked as a landman for Mesa Petroleum Co., Border Exploration Co., and Texaco Inc.

Teton Energy Corp., Denver, appointed Andrew M. Schultz vice-president, production.

Previously, Schultz was a founder of Emerald Resources Inc., an oil and gas exploration company. Before that, he worked for Amoco Corp., Terra Resources Inc., and Marathon Oil Corp.

Venoco Inc., Denver, named Kevin Morrato vice-president of Sacramento basin operations.

Morrato was general manager of the basin, where 21 wells were drilled in 2005 and more than 42 wells were reworked or recompleted. He has 24 years of industry experience.

Separately, Venoco hired Jeff Janik as senior vice-president of Texas operations. Janik comes from TexCal Energy (LP) LLC, where he served as vice-president and chief operating officer for the past 3 years. He has been in the oil industry for 31 years.