Loss of John W. Nichols, Devon’s chairman emeritus

Devon Energy’s co-founder, John W. Nichols, passed away on August 3, 2008. His contributions to Devon and the industry were profound. At age 93, as chairman emeritus, he never lost his passion for business. Despite deteriorating health, he maintained a presence in the company’s Oklahoma City office. He was born in Ardmore, Okla. in 1914, graduated from high school in 1932, and went to work on Wall Street before returning to earn an accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, but it was the oil and gas industry that became his passion. In 1950, he registered the nation’s first public oil and gas drilling fund with the SEC. The fund raised $1.4 million from some of the nation’s most wealthy investors. He and his partners used the money to create Blackwood & Nichols Co. and discover the Northeast Blanco Unit in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, a field that is still producing 58 years later, with Devon as operator. In 1971 he and his son created Devon Energy Corp. with four employees and no oil and gas assets. He was one of the 50 founders of the Oklahoma City Petroleum Club and a founding member of the Economics Club, where he also served as president. He will be missed, but as his son J. Larry Nichols stated, “Devon has come a long way…and yet, Devon is still exactly where we started. And so, the legacy of John W. Nichols lives on.”

Energy regulatory lawyer Hollaway joins Gibson Dunn

Bill Hollaway has joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s Washington, DC office as partner. Previously with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Hollaway focuses his practice on energy transactions and energy regulatory issues. Prior to that, he was a counsel in the energy group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Hollaway received his JD from Georgetown University. He also holds a PhD and a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Wellpoint Systems names two new VPs

WellPoint Systems Inc. has appointed Karen (Carrie) Manion to the position of senior vice president, sales and services, and Michael Weiss to the position of senior vice president, software and technology. Manion brings more than 20 years of experience in software sales, channel business development, and sales management. Most recently, she was vice president sales for Bolo Systems Inc., which was acquired by Wellpoint Systems in August, 2007. Manion has a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Most recently Weiss was vice president, R&D for Wellpoint Systems Inc. Weiss has more than 24 years of experience in managing the design, development, deployment and marketing of commercial high tech software products. He holds degrees from the University of New York.

Boots & Coots names new CFO

Houston-based Boots & Coots International Well Control Inc. has hired Cary Baetz as its CFO. Before joining Boots & Coots, Baetz served as vice president of finance, treasurer, and assistant secretary for Chaparral Steel since its spin off from Texas Industries in 2005. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and his MBA from the University of Arkansas. Boots & Coots International Well Control Inc. provides a suite of integrated pressure control services to onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration companies around the world.

Foster Wheeler chairman, CEO to step down in 2009

Raymond J. Milchovich has notified Foster Wheeler Ltd. of his intent to retire in 2009 as chairman and CEO after his successor is elected and a successful transition has been completed.

St. Mary hires CFO

St. Mary Land & Exploration Co. has hired Wade Pursell as executive vice president and CFO. Pursell has over 20 years of experience in financial and accounting positions. He most recently was employed at Helix Energy Solutions where he served as CFO. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Meier resigns CFOpost at Flotek Industries

Lisa G. Meier has resigned as senior vice president and CFO of Houston-based Flotek Industries Inc. to pursue other interests. Andrew Jowett, Flotek’s chief accounting officer, will serve as interim CFO until a replacement is named. Jowett joined Flotek in 2006, having previously served as finance director of process instruments for Thermo Fisher Scientific. Flotek is a global developer and distributor of specialty chemicals, and downhole drilling and production equipment.

Anadarko CEO receives award at Rice University

Chairman, president, and CEO of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. James T. Hackett, an adjunct professor in management at Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, received a 2008 MBA for Executives Teaching Excellence award. Hackett, who teaches an elective course on mergers and acquisitions, was nominated as the top candidate along with Associate Professor of Management Karen Nelson by class of 2008 students in the MBA for Executives program. Hackett received a bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois and an MBA from Harvard University.

Key Energy promotes Frye to senior VP, general counsel

Key Energy Services Inc. has promoted Kimberly R. Frye to senior vice president and general counsel. Frye joined the company in October 2002 and has served as its associate general counsel. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and her JD from the University of Houston in 1997.

Pacific Energy names Tywoniuk senior VP, CFO

Long Beach, Calif.-based Pacific Energy Resources Ltd. has appointed Gerry Tywoniuk to the position of senior vice president of finance and CFO. Jerett Creed, the company’s previous CFO steps into the newly created position of director of investor relations. Tywoniuk comes to Pacific Energy with 15 years of financial leadership experience. He served as CFO of two public companies and VP corporate controller of a third. Tywoniuk earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta, Canada. The company is engaged in the acquisition and development of oil and gas properties, primarily in the US.

Deming to step downas Murphy president, CEO, in December

Murphy Oil Corp.’s president and CEO, Claiborne P. Deming, will retire effective December 31, 2008, and will be succeeded by David M. Wood who currently serves as Murphy’s executive vice president, worldwide exploration and production operations. Deming will continue as a director, and will succeed William Nolan as chairman of the board’s executive committee. Nolan will remain chairman of the board of directors. Wood joined the company in 1994 and has held several positions.

Clough appoints Boylenew group COO

Bill Boyle has been appointed as group COO for Clough Ltd. Boyle has 25 years of international contracting experience, mainly in the oil and gas industry sector. He has held executive positions with several organizations including Total, Technip, Wood Group, and Subsea 7. Clough is an Australian-based engineering, construction, and asset support contractor providing full project life cycle solutions to its clients for capital projects, marine construction, fabrication, asset support and mining.

Sensornet expands international network with new appointments

Sensornet, the global provider of advanced monitoring solutions, has made two senior appointments and a promotion as it continues to expand its international network. John Perrin joins as vice president for North and South America, while Doug Walker has taken up a similar position with the company’s Asia-Pacific region. Richard Kluth has been promoted to COO, having previously served as operations director. Perrin has more than 10 years’ industry experience. Walker has more than 20 years’ sector experience and has held senior management positions in Abu Dhabi, Norway, Gulf of Mexico, and Vietnam.

Paradigm appoints Ward as regional VP, China

Paradigm, a provider of enterprise software solutions to the global oil and natural gas E&P industry, has appointed Richard H. Ward regional vice president, China. Ward joins Paradigm with over 35 years of global business development experience in the energy industry. He has held various executive positions with BGP Ltd., serving as a marketing consultant at its headquarters in Zhuozhou, China, and as vice president of business development in Houston. Ward’s tenure as a leadership executive includes positions with Landmark Graphics, YPF SA, Veritas Geophysical, and Western Geophysical. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio.