Energy Players

Samson Resources Corp. has appointed Randy L. Limbacher as its new CEO and president, effective April 18, 2013. Limbacher will also join the company's board of directors concurrent with his joining the company. Limbacher most recently was with Rosetta Resources Inc. where he served as chairman, CEO, and president from November 2007 to until February 26, 2013. Limbacher has 32 years of experience in the exploration and production business, both domestically and internationally. Limbacher will relocate to Tulsa. Prior to joining Rosetta, Limbacher served as president, exploration and production – Americas for ConocoPhillips. He joined ConocoPhillips as part of its April 2006 acquisition of Burlington Resources Inc., where he spent over 20 years. Limbacher serves on the board of directors of CARBO Ceramics Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University.

Dixon to serve as acting CEO at Chesapeake Energy

Steven C. Dixon, Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s COO, has been selected by the Oklahoma City-based oil and natural gas producer to serve as acting CEO, replacing former CEO and co-founder Aubrey McClendon. In a statement released by the company March 29, Chesapeake's directors named Dixon acting CEO and established a three-person Office of the Chairman while they continue the search for a permanent CEO with the assistance of Heidrick & Stuggles. The new office includes Dixon, chairman Archie Dunham and CFO Domenic Dell'Osso, according to the statement. Dixon has served as executive vice president and COO since 2006 and has held various senior operational positions since joining Chesapeake in 1991. Dell'Osso has served as executive vice president and CFO since 2010 after serving in various financial roles since 2008. Citing "philosophical differences," Chesapeake Energy Corp. co-founder and CEO Aubrey McClendon agreed to retire from the company on April 1, 2013.

Jackson Kelly expands Denver office energy and mining team

Jackson Kelly PLLC is expanding its legal services capabilities to support the oil and gas, mining and natural resource industries in its Denver office with the addition of Robert D. Comer, Michael T. Jewell, Susan V. Anderson and Steven M. Nagy. Comer has led permitting efforts on numerous natural resource projects and has counseled industry and government executives on a wide array of issues involving mining, oil, gas, energy transmission, public land access, NEPA, permitting, endangered species, wetlands, water rights, superfund, toxics, environmental discharge permit compliance and enforcement and other environmental and land use matters and litigation. Jewell has a full range of upstream oil, gas and mineral experience that covers the negotiation and drafting of leases, surface use agreements, joint operating agreements and title documents for oil and gas operators. Jewell currently serves as vice chair of the Colorado Bar Association Natural Resources and Energy Law Section. Anderson applies her background in litigation to natural resources development project work, which includes the examination and drafting of mineral title opinions, contract review, negotiation of surface use agreements and advising on environmental matters such as endangered species, clean water and clean air. During her time at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, she worked on a variety of enforcement matters related to environmental cleanup, statutory interpretation and permitting. Anderson completed an LLM in natural resources and environmental law and policy that focused on oil and gas, land use, federal wildlife, renewable energy and natural resources law. Nagy previously served as Colorado Assistant Attorney General, where he provided legal counsel to the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety on mine permitting and reclamation matters.

Woodall named CEO, president of Bill Barrett

Bill Barrett Corp. has named R. Scot Woodall as CEO and president of the company. Woodall also was named to the Denver, CO-based company's board of directors. He had served as CEO on an interim basis since January 2013. R. Scot Woodall has more than 28 years of experience in the oil and natural gas industry including serving as COO at Bill Barrett Corp. since July 2010 and previously executive vice president and senior vice president of operations beginning April 2007. Prior to joining Bill Barrett, Woodall was at Forest Oil Corp. for seven years, last serving as senior vice president of the Western Region. Woodall has a bachelor's Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Patterson to succeed Huseman as president, CEO of Basic Energy Services

Ken Huseman, president and CEO of Basic Energy Services Inc. has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2013. The board of directors intends to appoint Roe Patterson, currently senior vice president and COO of Basic Energy Services, to succeed Huseman as president and CEO, on or about January 1, 2014. Huseman is expected to remain a member of the board of directors and it is anticipated that Patterson will be appointed to the board of directors on or about the effective date of his appointment as president and CEO. Patterson has 18 years of related industry experience. He has been Basic's senior vice president and COO since March 2011 and senior vice president of Rig and Truck operations since September 2008. He joined the company in February 2006. Prior to joining Basic, he was president of his own manufacturing and oilfield service company, TMP Companies Inc., from 2000 to 2006. Patterson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University.

SandRidge promotes Lawler to COO

Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy Inc. has appointed David C. Lawler as COO. Since the announcement on March 13 of the company's settlement with TPG-Axon, the board and its committees have been actively engaged in a strategic review of the company, its operations and its governance practices. As part of the review, Stephen C. Beasley, Edward W. Moneypenny, Alan J. Weber and Dan A. Westbrook were appointed to the board on March 14, 2013. Simultaneously, the board appointed Beasley as chair of the compensation committee, Moneypenny to the audit committee and the newly formed strategy and planning committee, Weber as chair of the nominating and governance committee, and Westbrook to the nominating and governance committee and as chair of the strategy and planning committee.

Lucas Energy names oil and gas finance executive Dale as CFO

Lucas Energy Inc. has appointed William J. Dale as CFO, treasurer, and secretary of the company. Dale replaces Anthony C. Schnur in those posts, which Schnur has held on an interim basis since being named CEO of Lucas Energy in December 2012. Dale brings over 17 years of oil and gas industry financial experience across corporate finance, treasury, strategic planning, and financial reporting, planning and analysis functions both at large global corporations as well as small, entrepreneurial oil and gas companies. Most recently he served as a financial consultant for several private equity and independent E&P companies, having previously served as Director of Finance, Planning & Analysis for Global Industries Ltd., an oil and gas service company. Dale earned dual bachelor degrees in accounting and finance and has an MBA from the University of Houston. He is also a Texas Certified Public Accountant.

Hornbrook to retire as Aztec CFO

Larry Hornbrook, CFO of Aztec Oil & Gas Inc., has retired. Hornbrook had previously informed Aztec that upon turning 65, in March of this year, he wished to retire, reduce his workload, and spend his available time on his private CPA practice. Hornbrook will be replaced by John Smith, CPA, a senior partner of Schmuck, Smith, Tees & Company PC.

Dresser-Rand names Jan Kees van Gaalen executive VP, CFO

Jan Kees van Gaalen was named executive vice president and CFO of Dresser-Rand, effective May 1, 2013. Mr. van Gaalen succeeds Mark Baldwin, whose impending retirement was previously announced. Mr. van Gaalen joins Dresser-Rand from Baker Hughes Inc., where he served as vice president and treasurer. Before joining Baker Hughes, he was the CFO and vice president finance for PT Inco Tbk based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. van Gaalen received his bachelor's degree in economics from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands and his MBA from the HEC Management School in France.

Slagel joins Steptoe & Johnson

Gary E. Slagel has joined Steptoe & Johnson PLLC's office in Canonsburg, PA as government affairs specialist to the firm. Slagel joins Steptoe & Johnson after a 35 year career with CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas. During his career at CONSOL, he served as senior advisor of environmental affairs, director of environmental regulatory affairs and as the director of government affairs. His career focused on the coal and natural gas industry and the complex issues surrounding shale gas exploration and development. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton. He was appointed by former Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey to the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board on which he still serves and was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Thomas W. Corbett in 2011 to the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. Slagel is also the Chairman and Executive Committee and member of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, and a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association.

Energy group rejoins Hogan Lovells

Kevin J. Lipson, Stefan M. Krantz, John R. Lilyestrom, and Christopher A. Schindler have rejoined Hogan Lovells after just over a year at another law firm. The team of partners will rejoin Hogan Lovells' Energy practice, representing interstate natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, local distribution companies, investor-owned electric utilities, alternative energy project developments, shale oil and natural gas developers, storage companies, financial institutions, energy marketing and trading platforms, and liquefied natural gas project participants. Lipson focuses his practice on energy-related enforcement and compliance issues that arise before FERC and the CFTC. He earned his JD from Washington University in St. Louis and his bachelor's degree from George Washington University. Krantz has earned a reputation for his work on complex regulatory litigation and served as counsel to many large energy projects developed in the last decade. He earned his JD from American University and his bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Cornell University. Lilyestrom's practice focuses on electric utility regulation and the resulting competitive and commercial consequences of such regulation. He earned his JD from the University of Maryland and his bachelor's degree from Harvard University. Schindler has extensive experience assisting clients with commercial matters related to the development of energy infrastructure. He earned his JD, with honors, from George Washington University, his master's degree from George Washington University, and his bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Durbin named ANGA president and CEO

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) has named Martin J. Durbin as president and CEO, effective May 1, 2013. Durbin joins ANGA after serving as executive vice president at the American Petroleum Institute (API), where he led advocacy efforts on behalf of the oil and gas industry. Durbin fills the vacancy left by Regina Hopper following her resignation after serving three and a half years as president and CEO of the organization. Her resignation became effective February 28, 2013. As API's executive vice president, Durbin is responsible for integrating the group's government affairs, communications, policy, and legal initiatives. Prior to serving at API, he was vice president of federal relations for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), where he directed federal legislative efforts, lobbying, coalition building, and ACC's political programs.

Parcell joins Ernst & Young LLP's National Tax practice

John Parcell, former Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel with the Department of Treasury, has joined Ernst & Young LLP's National Tax practice. Based out of Washington, DC, Parcell will have responsibility for advising clients on energy tax policy matters and assisting in technical analysis on a range of tax matters focused in energy. Most recently, Parcell was the Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel at the Department of Treasury where he was responsible for excise and energy tax issues. He has represented the Department of Treasury in the development of legislation in these areas since he began in 1987. Prior to working at the Department of Treasury, Parcell served as Branch Chief at the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Parcell received a JD and Master of Laws (Taxation) from Georgetown University.

Randy Pharo joins DGS

Milam ‘Randy' Pharo has joined Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP as Of Counsel in the firm's natural resources department. His practice will focus primarily on the areas of oil and gas, public lands, and corporate law. Pharo was previously senior vice president and general counsel at SM Energy Company and vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Magellan Petroleum Corp. Pharo has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, with an emphasis in the Rocky Mountain Region as well as Texas, Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent. Previously, he practiced as an attorney specializing in oil and gas matters. He received his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and JD from Southern Methodist University.

Energy regulatory attorney Andrea Chambers joins Ballard Spahr

Andrea J. Chambers, who advises energy industry clients nationwide on policy, regulatory, and compliance matters and represents them before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has joined Ballard Spahr's Washington, DC, office as a partner in the energy and project finance group. Chambers has more than 20 years of experience in the natural gas and electric industries. She provides regulatory counsel to clients in the electric, gas, and alternative energy sectors and strategic advice to private equity investors in energy assets. Chambers also has substantial experience as a litigator. She has represented major energy clients successfully in all stages of FERC litigation and in appellate courts nationwide, and negotiates settlements between regulated entities and consumers.