Centennial Resource Development Inc., Denver, has appointed Sean R. Smith, currently vice-president and chief operating officer, to succeed Mark G. Papa as chief executive officer, effective June 1. Papa, who has served as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer since 2016, will retire effective May 31. Smith is expected to be appointed to the board.
Smith has over 24 years of technical experience in the oil and gas industry. He joined Centennial in 2014.
Matt R. Garrison has been appointed to serve as vice-president and chief operating officer, also effective June 1. Garrison currently serves as the company’s vice -president of geosciences.
The company will separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer. Current director Steven J. Shapiro will succeed Papa as non-executive chairman of the board. Shapiro has more than 40 years of financial and operational experience within the energy industry. Previously, he held various leadership positions at Burlington Resources Inc., including chief financial officer and a member of its board of directors.
