Conoco Inc.'s fledgling business unit, Conoco Carbon Fibers, has named two new managers to positions within the company.
Thomas M. Moccia has been hired as the unit's sector manager.
Moccia, with more than 24 years of experience in plastics, most recently served as vice-president, marketing, for M.A. Hanna Co.'s engineered materials business.
Moccia's responsibilities will include developing and managing new business ventures with materials suppliers, molders, and original equipment manufacturers; market analysis and forecasting; competitive analysis; creating strategic marketing and business plans; hiring and training new marketing and technical marketing personnel; and integrating the unit's sales and marketing efforts.
Previously, Moccia worked for GE Plastics and RTP Corp. and started his career at Cargill Inc.
Jay Murali has been named the firm's new market development manager, infrastructure and construction.
Murali's duties will include the development of carbon-fiber reinforced concrete and plastic for construction and infrastructure applications.
Of the 20 years that Murali has worked in the oil industry, 14 have been at Conoco. While working offshore, he served as manager for Conoco's CompRiser-a carbon-fiber composite drilling riser that will be installed later this year in Norway's Heidrun field-and he was lead materials engineer for the company's Heidrun well systems.
Murali also holds two patents in the corrosion mitigation area.
Landmen named
The Houston Association of Professional Landmen announced its officers for 2000-01. They are: Gregory W. Hutson, president; John E. (Jay) Brown, first vice-president; Brad Posey, second vice-president; Doug Dahmann, third vice-president.
D. T. (Dwight) Ostrosser has been named vice-president, land, for Lexxor Energy Inc., Calgary. With more than 20 years of land management experience, Ostrosser's appointment is part of Lexxor's continuing commitment to achieve reserve and production growth through exploration, development, and strategic acquisitions, the company said.
Christopher D. Fling has joined Samson Resources Co., Tulsa, as land manager. He has more than 20 years experience in operations in the US. Previously, Fling worked for Range Resources Corp.
Other moves
Ron Kiskis has been named the new president of Chevron Corp. subsidiary Chevron Oronite Co. LLC, Houston. Kiskis's appointment follows the retirement of Jim Lieto as president.
Lieto was with Chevron for more than 31 years and joined Chevron Oronite as head of the Americas region before being named chief executive of the unit, a position he held for 5 years.
Among his accomplishments, Lieto helped to establish a manufacturing plant in Singapore to complement Chevron Oronite's exiting US and France facilities. He also aided in the acquisition of the Paratone business.
Kiskis started his career at the Chevron unit as a research chemist in 1974. During 1980-99, he held a variety of management positions, which included research, fuel additives, human resources, and refining and marketing. Most recently, Kiskis was general manager, technology, for the petrochemicals and plastics division, Chevron Chemical Co.