Shell taps Roxanne Decyk for executive VP of Global Government Relations role

DecykRoyal Dutch Shell has named Roxanne Decyk to the newly-created position of executive vice president of global government relations, based in Washington, DC. Decyk will report to future chief executive Peter Voser and will serve as the company’s chief diplomat. Decyk joined Shell in 1999. She most recently served as corporate affairs and sustainable development director. Prior to joining Shell, Decyk held executive positions with Amoco Oil Corp. and Navistar.

Mayer Brown hires Fleckman, expands Houston office

FleckmanLaw firm Mayer Brown has hired Dan A. Fleckman as a corporate and securities practice partner in its Houston office. Previously, he was executive vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary of Regency Energy Partners. He has more than 30 years’ experience practicing law and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.

GMX Resources names Michael Rohleder president

Oklahoma City-based GMX Resources Inc. has named Michael J. Rohleder president. The company also named Timothy L. Benton as vice-president, geosciences, and Harry C. Stahel Jr. as vice-president, finance. Rohleder has been executive vice-president for 15 months and has more than 20 years of executive management experience. Benton has been responsible for engineering and geological characterization work of the company’s assets since 2005. Stahel joins GMX after more than 18 years in the energy industry including finance and treasury roles at Aquila Inc. He spent the last five years at OG&E/Enogex.

Burleson Cooke adds Howell; expands securities capabilities

HowellEnergy law firm Burleson Cooke has expanded its corporate and securities law practice, adding Mark Howell to the group. In his previous role with Andrews Kurth, he concentrated primarily on oil and gas clients.

Ellis to succeed Mike Linnas LINN Energy CEO

Starting January 2010, Mark E. Ellis will take over the role as CEO of LINN Energy LLC. He currently holds the position of president and COO. Michael C. Linn, currently chairman and CEO, will become executive chairman of the board of directors and remain an officer of the company. Ellis has more than 30 years of experience in the natural gas and oil industry. He joined LINN Energy in December 2006 as executive vice president and COO and was promoted to president and COO a year later.

Continental Resources tapsMuncrief senior VP, ops

MuncriefContinental Resources Inc. has appointed Richard E. Muncrief to serve as senior vice president of operations for the Oklahoma-based oil and gas exploration and production company. Muncrief has 29 years of upstream and midstream energy experience, most recently as a senior executive with Quest Midstream Partners LP. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

McIntosh, Dowling join Weaver and Tidwell’s new Austin office

DowlingAccounting firm Weaver and Tidwell LLP has opened an Austin office. Gary McIntosh has been named Austin executive partner and Timothy Dowling will join the firm as a senior manager. Prior to joining Weaver and Tidwell, McIntosh was a partner with Brown, Graham & Co. PC. He holds more than 39 years’ experience in the accounting profession. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Dowling brings 27 years of experience to the firm, having previously worked with BDO Seidman as a tax manager, Reynolds & Dowling PC as a shareholder and Brown, Graham & Co. PC as a manager. Dowling earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming.

Macquarie Capital hires three to investment banking

Macquarie Capital, the investment banking division of the Macquarie Group, has made three senior investment banking hires in its Global Resources Group. Doug Reynolds is a Houston-based industry veteran with 25 years of experience in the energy sector. He joined from Banc of America Securities. Ken Brandes joined the group in New York as a senior vice president. Prior to joining Macquarie, Ken spent 10 years at Citigroup. He will focus on the midstream energy sector. Steve Conner also joined the New York office where he will serve as as a managing director. Connor previously spent 10 years at Morgan Stanley. He will focus on the US oilfield services sector.

Fortis appoints new CEO

De SmetBart De Smet has been appointed to lead Fortis as CEO. He takes over from Karel De Boeck. De Boeck has served as CEO since December 2008. He will leave the group and resign from the board. Fortis intends to appoint De Smet as director of Fortis SA/NV and Fortis NV. Additionally, Peer van Harten will transfer his management of the insurance operations. Harten had elected to resign in March, but stayed on during a transition period at the request of the board. De Smet will temporarily remain CEO of Fortis Insurance Belgium, the latter being renamed AG Insurance. Two internal task forces will deal with legacy issues. One will cover financial aspects, and the other will cover legal aspects.

Reimbold to head up A&D services for Rodman Energy

ReimboldJason P. Reimbold has joined the Houston office of The Rodman Energy Group as vice president, A&D Services. Reimbold comes to Rodman from PLS Inc. where he served as director of capital markets. Reimbold will focus on assisting existing and potential clients to augment capital through sales of non-core assets and will work with existing Rodman Energy investment bankers to source financing opportunities.

Larry Heidt to lead Nabors Well Services

Nabors Industries Ltd. has promoted Larry P. Heidt to chairman and CEO of Nabors Well Services Ltd. He has been with Nabors over 17 years. Since 2004, Heidt has served as special assistant to the chairman.

Turner joins Hess as senior vice president

Hess Corp. has appointed Michael Turner as senior vice-president, global production, with responsibility for Europe and Asia. Turner joins Hess after spending 28 years with Royal Dutch Shell PLC. Turner succeeds George Sandison, who will become senior vice-president, global exploration and production services.

Jack Lentz named chairmaninternational oil, gas for Lazard

Jack Lentez has joined Lazard Ltd. as chairman, international oil and gas. He previously served as the head of Lehman Brothers’ worldwide energy practice. He is the non-executive chairman of Rowan Cos. and is a director of CARBO Ceramics. Lazard is a financial advisory and asset management firm with operations across all energy sectors.

Compton Petroleum notes two VP changes

Calgary-based Compton Petroleum Corp.’s vice president, engineering and exploitation, Gary Follensbee, has resigned. Shannon Ouellette has joined Compton in a new position as vice president, operations & development. Ouellette brings 17 years’ experience in the petroleum industry. Previously, she was vice president, operations at TAQA North Ltd. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Calgary.

Ridgewood names Lang president, COO

Ridgewood, NJ-based Ridgewood Energy Corp. has named Kenneth Lang to the newly-created position of president and COO of its Houston office. Prior to joining the energy private equity firm, Lang served 24 years at BP, most recently as senior vice president its Gulf of Mexico business. He holds a degree from the University of Houston.

Otto Energy elects new CEO

Otto Energy Ltd. has appointed Paul Moore CEO. Moore has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry with 27 years in operating oil and gas companies, including 17 years in executive management roles. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. He succeeds Alex Parks, who previously served as the company CEO.

Noble Energy bids farewell to CFO

Noble Energy Inc.’s senior vice president and CFO, Chris Tong, has decided to leave the company effective August 1. Tong plans to retire in order to spend more time with his family in addition to pursuing personal interests. Tong joined Noble Energy in 2005. The company is searching for a successor.

Jennings named VP, treasurer at Cameron

Cameron Corp. has named H. Keith Jennings as vice president and treasurer. Jennings previously served as corporate treasurer for Alghanim Industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Columbia University.

Dejour Enterprises makes management changes

Dejour Enterprises has named Stephen R. Mut special assistant to the CEO/COO. He will provide expertise for key financing and asset strategies targeting the company’s Piceance Basin projects. This assignment is to be completed prior to the next annual general meeting scheduled for Q409. Previously Mut served as CEO of a unit of Shell Exploration and Production Co. He is expected to join the board following the meeting. Charles Dove has resigned from the board. He remains president, Dejour Alberta.