Energy Players

Harold M. Korell, chairman of the board of directors of Southwestern Energy Co. will retire from the board at the May 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. Steven L. Mueller, the company's current president and CEO, is expected to be named chairman at that time. Mueller will continue as CEO. "In his 17 years with Southwestern Energy, including a decade as chief executive officer and most recently as non-executive chairman, Harold presided over phenomenal growth for our company and return for our shareholders. He leaves a legacy of building value with disciplined focus on having the right people do the right things with our assets and the cash flow they create," stated Mueller. Korell joined Southwestern Energy in 1997 as executive vice president and COO. He served as the company's president from 1998 to 2008, and as CEO from 1999 to May 19, 2009. He was elected chairman of the board in 2002 and became executive chairman of the board on May 19, 2009. He earned a professional degree in chemical and petroleum refining engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Texas and Colorado. Mueller has been CEO of Southwestern Energy since May 2009. He holds a degree in geologic engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Clark to succeed Stewart as Marathon Oil treasurer

The board of directors of Marathon Oil Corp. has elected Morris R. Clark to serve as Marathon Oil vice president and treasurer, effective Jan. 1, 2014. He previously served as assistant treasurer. He succeeds Michael K. Stewart as treasurer. Stewart has elected to retire after 28 years of service. Clark will report to John R. Sult, Marathon Oil executive vice president and CFO. Clark began his career with Marathon Oil in 2002 when he joined the company as senior tax counsel. He was appointed to his current position as assistant treasurer in 2007. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Southern University and subsequently earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Tulane Law School, and later a Master of Laws degree in taxation from New York University School of Law. His experience prior to joining Marathon Oil included serving as an accountant with Touche Ross & and as a tax attorney with Bracewell & Patterson and Enron North America. Prior to his retirement, Stewart served Marathon as vice president of accounting and finance, controller and treasurer. In addition to his role as executive vice president and CFO, John R. Sult will serve as Marathon Oil's principal accounting officer.

Par Petroleum appoints Micklas CFO

Houston-based Par Petroleum Corp. has named Chris Micklas CFO. Micklas has more than 20 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, finance, and downstream energy. Most recently, he served as a senior executive within BG Group Plc's chief operating office and global liquefied natural gas business as finance director. He has also held senior roles, including finance director of US downstream, at Shell Oil Company.

Rosetta makes leadership changes

Rosetta Resources Inc. has made officer promotions within its management team. J. Chad Driskill has been promoted to senior vice president, marketing and business development. Don O. McCormack has been promoted to senior vice president, treasurer, and chief accounting officer. Dan Calnan, vice president, operations, has been promoted to an officer of the company. Larry Jernigan, vice president, resource management, has been promoted to an officer of the company. Mark D. Petrichuk, vice president, corporate reserves and technical services, has been promoted to an officer of the company. Antoinette D. (Toni) Green has been promoted to vice president, investor relations and planning and to an officer of the company. Chad Driskill joined Rosetta Resources in July 2005 as vice president of marketing. Driskill has over 20 years of experience in energy trading and marketing in the oil and gas and power generation industries. Previously, Driskill spent 10 years at Calpine. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. Don McCormack joined Rosetta in August 2012 as vice president and treasurer. In January 2013, he assumed the additional role of chief accounting officer. Prior to joining Rosetta, he served as vice president and chief accounting officer for Concho Resources Inc. McCormack received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dan Calnan joined Rosetta in March 2009 and has served as vice president of operations since March 2013. He has 24 years of experience in the upstream operations area of the petroleum industry including 16 years in positions of increasing responsibility at Burlington Resources. He holds a bachelor's degree from Montana Tech. Larry Jernigan joined Rosetta in March 2013 as vice president, resource management. He has more than 27 years of industry experience, most recently as a business unit vice president for Devon Energy. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas. Mark Petrichuk joined Rosetta in June 2008 and has served as vice president, Corporate Reserves and Technical Services since March 2013. Petrichuk has 35 years of experience in the industry. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. Toni Green has served as manager of investor relations and competitor analysis since October 2012. Prior to joining Rosetta, Green was competitive intelligence coordinator for El Paso Exploration & Production Green holds a bachelor's degree from Rice University and an MBA from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

First Reserve makes senior promotions

First Reserve has promoted two senior investment professionals within the Buyout Funds team. Effective January 1, 2014, Gary Reaves serves as managing director. Reaves joined the firm in 2006. Prior to joining First Reserve, he was an analyst in the Global Energy Group at UBS Investment Bank. As a managing director, he will continue to pursue opportunities primarily in the midstream and downstream sector. He is based in the Houston office. As of January 1, 2014, Will Brown serves as director. Prior to joining First Reserve in 2006, Brown was an investment banking analyst for Banc of America Securities. Brown will continue to focus on global opportunities in the energy equipment and services sector. He is based in the Houston office.

Gulfport adds to management

Oklahoma City, OK-based Gulfport Energy Corp. has expanded its management team. In September 2013, the company appointed J. Ross Kirtley as COO for its Ohio activities. Prior to joining Gulfport, Kirtley was previously with Sandridge Energy Inc., serving as vice president of services for Sandridge and President of Lariat Services Inc., Hondo Heavy Haul Inc., and Chapparal Supply LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries of Sandridge. In November 2013, the company appointed Robert A. Jones as vice president of drilling for its Ohio activities. Prior to joining Gulfport, Jones was previously with Chesapeake, serving most recently as drilling engineering manager for the Haynesville, Barnett and Eagle Ford. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma. In November 2013, the company appointed Mark R. Malone as vice president of operations for its Ohio activities. Prior to joining Gulfport, Malone was previously with Sierra Engineering, serving as engineering manager. He graduated from Texas Tech University. In December 2013, the company appointed Ty Peck as managing director of Midstream Operations. Prior to joining Gulfport, Peck was previously with Access Midstream Partners, serving most recently as the director of commercial services. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.

Geotrace promotes Stein to chief geoscience officer

Geotrace, a global reservoir services company, has promoted Dr. Jaime Stein from his previous roles as chief geophysicist and chief geoscientist to chief geoscience officer. Dr. Stein will lead Geotrace's Applied Technology Group and will serve as the liaison between operations and research. He will report to CEO Bill Schrom. Dr. Stein joined Geotrace in 2005. Dr. Stein holds a PhD in Relativistic Astrophysics from the University of Sussex (UK) and a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (Mexico). Following his postdoctoral work at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, he worked in various research and technical capacities.

Sanchez Energy COO resigns

Joseph DeDominic, senior vice president and COO of Eagle Ford Shale-focused Sanchez Energy Corp., has resigned to pursue a new opportunity. Chris Heinson, senior manager of reservoir engineering, will assume the role of COO on an interim basis. These management changes became effective at the beginning of January, 2014. Prior to joining Sanchez in March of 2013, Heinson worked for Occidental Petroleum Corp. in various planning and reservoir engineering positions. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

WPX Energy makes leadership changes

WPX Energy reports that Ralph A. Hill will step down as president, CEO, and board member of the company and that the board of directors has appointed James J. Bender as interim president, CEO, and board member, effective Dec. 31. Hill will remain with the company through March 31, 2014, to assist with the transition of his duties. Hill spent over 32 years with Williams and WPX. Bender has served as WPX's senior vice president and general counsel and as a member of the company's executive leadership team since the company spun off from Williams. Prior to WPX, Bender served for nine years as senior vice president and general counsel of Williams. A search committee of the board of directors has been established, and the executive recruiting firm of Spencer Stuart has been retained to assist in an external CEO search. Bender will serve as the interim CEO until the selection process is complete. Dennis C. Cameron will replace Bender as WPX's senior vice president and general counsel. Cameron joined the company in January 2012 after nearly 25 years in private practice and most recently served as vice president and deputy general counsel of WPX.

Minyard joins Simpson Thacher's Energy Finance team

Brian E. Minyard has joined the banking and credit practice of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP as Counsel in the Houston office. Minyard's practice focuses principally on the representation of capital providers and borrowers in structuring, negotiating and documenting structured finance transactions, with an emphasis on energy and oil and gas credit facilities. He also has experience with acquisition and specialized structured finance transactions, including volumetric production payments, and mezzanine debt financings. Minyard earned his JD from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003. He received his bachelor's degree, cum laude, in Biochemistry and Political Science from Texas A&M University in 2000.

Sunshine Oilsands' CEO, CFO resign

The board of directors of Sunshine Oilsands Ltd. has accepted the resignations of John Zahary, president and CEO, and Robert Pearce, CFO. David Owen Sealock has assumed the position of interim president and CEO. Sealock has been an executive officer of Sunshine since June 2008, most recently holding the position of executive vice president, corporate operations. He holds a bachelor degree in Business Management and is a Registered Engineering Technologist.

Hyperdynamics names Wesson CFO

Hyperdynamics Corp. has appointed David Wesson as its new vice president and CFO. Wesson, who previously served as the company's controller, assumed the new role January 1. He succeeds Paul Reinbolt who stepped down from the CFO position at the end of December. Additionally, Chris DePue, currently manager of SEC Reporting for the company, has replaced Wesson as controller and principal accounting officer, also effective January 1. Wesson joined Hyperdynamics in April 2010. He joined Swift Energy in 1988 and served 21 years in various financial positions, including controller from 2001 to 2009. He holds a BBA in accounting from Texas Tech University and is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Texas. DePue joined Hyperdynamics in May 2011. He began his accounting career with Ernst & Young in 2007, where he spent four years serving within the firm's audit practice, most recently as a senior auditor. He holds a BBA in accounting and a Master of Science degree in Accountancy from The University of Houston and is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Texas.

Halliburton changes legal leadership

Robb Voyles has suceeded Bert Cornelison as executive vice president and general counsel for Halliburton, effective January 1, 2014 , as Cornelison will retire pursuant to company policy in April 2014. Cornelison will remain with the company until his retirement to assist with the transition of his duties. Cornelison had served as Halliburton's general counsel since 2002. He began his career at Halliburton in 1994 as vice president and associate general counsel, leading the company's intellectual property, environmental and litigation practice groups. Voyles joined Halliburton in 2013 from Baker Botts LLP where he had practiced law since 1987. He was chair of the firm's litigation department and a member of its executive committee.

FieldPoint names new president

FieldPoint Petroleum Corp. has appointed Philip H. Roberson to serve as president. Prior to joining FieldPoint, Roberson was a founder of AEG Operating LLC, an independent oil and gas exploration company. Previously, he served as a director of energy investment banking with Tejas Securities Inc. Until it was acquired by Tejas Securities, Roberson was an equity analyst with Arabella Securities LLC. He received a BBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Mountainview appoints new CFO

Mountainview Energy Ltd. has appointed Brent Osmond as vice president of finance and CFO. Osmond replaces Angelique Hatch, who will provide consulting services to the company and assist with the transition. Osmond is a certified management accountant with experience in building startup and growth-oriented energy companies. He has previous oil and gas CFO experience through his positions with TerraMer Inc. and Nytis Exploration Co. Inc.