ConocoPhillips Continues Executive Moves Ahead of Spinoff

HOUSTON -- ConocoPhillips continues to put together its executive lineup as it prepares to spin off its downstream company, to be called Phillips 66, in the second quarter of 2012.

Once all approvals are in place, ConocoPhillips will operate as an independent, pure-play exploration and production company, while Phillips 66 will have businesses in refining, marketing, midstream and chemicals. As CSNews Online reported last month, Greg Garland has been designated chairman and CEO of Phillips 66, and Ryan M. Lance was tapped to head ConocoPhillips as its chairman and CEO.

In the six weeks since that announcement, Lance has been busy selecting members to join his ConocoPhillips executive team. In the latest moves, Matt Fox will become executive vice president, exploration and production; Alan J. Hirshberg will become executive vice president, technology and projects; and Don E. Wallette Jr. will become executive vice president, business development and commercial.

Fox is a former president of ConocoPhillips Canada. He has held senior positions for ConocoPhillips in its Canadian Oil Sands, United Kingdom, United States and Middle East divisions. Most recently, he was executive vice president, international, for Nexen Inc. Hirshberg is currently senior vice president, planning and strategy, for ConocoPhillips. He has also held executive positions at ExxonMobil, overseeing production operations and major development projects in the United States, Europe, Africa, and central and southeast Asia. Wallette is currently president, Asia Pacific, for ConocoPhillips. He has held senior positions for ConocoPhillips in the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Russia and Caspian divisions.

Fox will join ConocoPhillips in January and serve in an interim role, reporting to Lance, until the repositioning is complete. Hirshberg and Wallette will continue in their current positions until the transaction is finalized, according to a company release.

Phillips 66 leader Garland will join the three on the ConocoPhillips executive management team.

In addition, Lawrence M. Ziemba will become Phillips 66's executive vice president, refining, with responsibility for major projects and procurement. Ziemba is currently president, global refining, for ConocoPhillips. He has served in a number of downstream and refining executive positions for ConocoPhillips, its predecessor Phillips, Tosco and Unocal. He will continue in his current role until the repositioning is complete.

The soon-to-be two companies are in a building phase right now, as three leading executives announced their plans to retire once the restructuring is complete. They are ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Jim Mulva; E.L. (Gene) Batchelder, senior vice president and chief administrative officer; and W.C.W. Chiang, senior vice president, refining, marketing, transportation and commercial.

 

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