Patrick French, oil and gas legend, dies
Patrick William French, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and an advocate for America’s energy industry, died at his family’s home in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday evening, August 18, 2012. As president of the Foundation for Energy Education and executive vice president of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, French led a major public education effort to inform consumers about the key economic role of America’s oil and gas industry. French formed his own company, The Association Development Group, in 1991. A Washington, DC‐based consultancy, the firm worked with top trade associations, including the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). It was through his firm’s IPAA connection that he met Alex Mills, who would later become Texas Alliance President and recruit French to join his leadership team in Texas. French began his career in public advocacy as a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. From there, he joined the US Chamber of Commerce, raising corporate membership funds and serving in the organization’s offices in Chicago, Dallas, and San Jose. During the Vietnam War, French served as a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and received a Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Following his war service, he joined the 101st Airborne and 82nd Airborne Divisions. He earned his degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland. He also served on the board of directors of the Global Energy Management Institute at the University of Houston and on the board of directors of the National Corrosion Institute at Rice University. Born in Paris, France in 1947, he was the son of American diplomat Harry George French.
Mazeski assumes financial duties at Credo Petroleum
Alford B. Neely has retired as CFO of Denver, CO-based Credo Petroleum Corp. Brian Mazeski, the company’s controller, has been promoted to chief accounting officer. He will also serve as the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Neely joined Credo in 2006, and was promoted to CFO in 2008. Mazeski is a certified public accountant. Before joining Credo Petroleum, Mazeski worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1996 to 2001.
Brooks replaces McKenzie as ZaZa Energy CEO
ZaZa Energy Corp. has appointed executive director and president Todd A. Brooks as CEO, replacing Craig M. McKenzie. Brooks is one of three founders of ZaZa Energy LLC, the predecessor of ZaZa Energy Corp., and has served as an executive and director of ZaZa Energy since its combination with Toreador Resources Corp. in February 2012. McKenzie has also resigned from the ZaZa board of directors in order to pursue other opportunities. Prior to ZaZa LLC, from 2006 until 2009, Brooks made energy-focused investments across multiple geographic regions. He graduated from Vanderbilt University and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law.
ONEOK, ONEOK Partners make management changes
ONEOK Inc. and ONEOK Partners LP have made a series of senior management changes. Charles M. Kelley, senior vice president, ONEOK’s energy services business, now will lead that business, replacing Patrick J. McDonie who retired and accepted a position with another company. David E. Roth, senior vice president, administrative services, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners, will retire on Sept. 30, 2012, after 33 years with the company. Dandridge L. Harrison has been named senior VP, administrative services and corporate relations, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners. He assumes Roth’s responsibilities for HR, information technology and corporate services, while continuing to lead the IR, communications, government relations and community investments functions. David R. Scharf becomes VP, strategic planning, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners. He was president, ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing business. Michael A. Fitzgibbons has been promoted to vice president, commercial, ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing business. Fitzgibbons previously was director, natural gas supply acquisition, Rocky Mountain region, natural gas gathering and processing.
TETRA Technologies names Serrano CFO
TETRA Technologies Inc. has appointed Elijio V. Serrano to the positions of senior vice president and CFO. Serrano served as CFO of UniversalPegasus International from October 2009 through July 2012. From February 2006 through February 2009, Serrano served as CFO and executive vice president of Paradigm BV. He succeeds Joseph M. Abell, III, who resigned from the positions of senior vice president and CFO, effective July 31, 2012.
Beall replaces retiring Davis as EES CFO
Express Energy Services LLC (EES) has named John R. Beall CFO. Beall replaces Jim Davis, who is retiring from EES. Davis, who was retired at the time, joined Express in 2009 to assist the company through a challenging financial period. Beall most recently was CFO for ENGlobal Corp. and has over 26 years in senior financial and treasury management roles with both private and public energy services companies. He graduated from Baylor University with a BBA and Southern Methodist University with an MBA in Finance.
Catherine Rector named Miller Energy Resources CAO
Miller Energy Resources has hired Catherine Rector as its new vice president and chief accounting officer. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has 20 years of experience in accounting. Rector previously served as Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting Consolidations for Sitel Worldwide Corp. Prior to her work at Sitel, Rector worked as a senior manager in the audit practice at Rodefer Moss & Co. PLLC, as Controller at CapStar Bank, and also had her own private CPA practice for several years. She holds a BBA from Middle Tennessee State University.
Tethys names Hammond CEO
Tethys Petroleum Ltd. has appointed Julian Hammond as CEO and president. In addition, the Rt. Hon Peter Lilley has been appointed as non executive chairman. Due to health reasons, Dr. David Robson is unable to continue in his roles of executive chairman, president and CEO. The board extends best wishes to Dr. Robson and expresses gratitude for his role in building the company. Hammond has been deputy CEO since February 2011 when he assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operating activities of the company. In addition, Hammond was appointed to the board of directors with effect from January 2012. Hammond has worked for the company since 2006.
Bartol fills new role at Rowan Companies
Offshore contract drilling services provider Rowan Companies plc has appointed J. Kevin Bartol to serve as the company’s executive vice president, finance and corporate development. Bartol will lead the company’s finance, investor relations and corporate development departments. William H. Wells will continue to serve as senior vice president, CFO, and treasurer, reporting to Bartol. Bartol joined the company in 2007 and previously served as senior vice president, corporate development.
FMC Technologies makes executive appointments
FMC Technologies Inc. has appointed Robert L. Potter as president. He assumes the role from John T. Gremp who remains chairman and CEO. Potter previously served as executive vice president of Energy Systems with responsibility for the Subsea Technologies, Surface Technologies and Energy Infrastructure business segments, in addition to several support functions. He has been with the company since 1973. Douglas J. Pferdehirt has joined the company as executive vice president and COO, assuming responsibility for the company’s three operating business segments. Before joining FMC, Pferdehirt worked for Schlumberger for 26 years in a number of positions, including executive vice president of corporate development and communication, and president of the Schlumberger Reservoir Production Group.
Dyck resigns president, COO roles at Ivanhoe Energy
David Dyck has resigned his position as president and COO of Ivanhoe Energy, effective July 31, 2012. Carlos A. Cabrera, executive chairman and Robert Friedland, founder and executive co-chairman will lead the company with input and support from other members of the company’s leadership team. Dyck served as president and COO since May 2010.
Kurt Dettinger joins Steptoe & Johnson
G. Kurt Dettinger has joined the Charleston, WV office of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. Dettinger will focus his practice in the areas of energy law, energy and financing transactions and government relations. Dettinger previously served as general counsel to West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin where he chaired the West Virginia Marcellus to Manufacturing Task Force and was involved in shaping energy initiatives undertaken and supported by Governor Tomblin. He testified before the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the production of shale gas in West Virginia. In August 2011, Dettinger presented to industry executives on West Virginia’s approach to developing local and national markets for Marcellus ethane at the NGL and Shale Gas Infrastructure Summit in Pennsylvania. Before his work with the Governor, Dettinger focused his practice in the areas of coal, natural gas and financing transactions, complex business disputes and representation of investment banks. He served as lead counsel to international and regional investment banking firms. Dettinger earned his bachelor’s degree from Marshall University and received his JD from the West Virginia University College of Law.
