Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY) announced today that
William R. Klesse, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Valero Energy Corporation, and Gene L. Batchelder, former Senior Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer at ConocoPhillips Company,
have been elected to its Board of Directors.
“The election of Bill and Gene reflects the Board’s intent to bring on
new directors with experience in the energy industry,” said Ambassador
Edward P. Djerejian, Chairman of the Board. “We’re delighted they are
joining us, and we look forward to working closely with them.”
Mr. Klesse, 67, began his 40-plus year career in the energy industry at
Diamond Shamrock Corporation. Following the merger of Ultramar
Corporation and Diamond Shamrock, the company was acquired by Valero.
Mr. Klesse became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
in 2003, CEO in 2006 and Chairman of the Board in 2007. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton
and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from West Texas A&M University.
Mr. Batchelder, 66, joined Phillips Petroleum in 1972. He was named
President of Phillips Driscopipe, Inc., in 1990 and Finance Manager of
GPM Gas Co. in 1994. He was Conoco’s Senior Vice President, Services and
Chief Information Officer from 2002 to 2009, when he was promoted to
Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. He retired from
Conoco in 2012. Mr. Batchelder holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting
from Oklahoma State University and is a certified public accountant.
About Oxy
Occidental
Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration
and production company with operations in the United States, Middle
East/North Africa and Latin America regions. Oxy is one of the largest
U.S. oil and gas companies, based on equity market capitalization. Oxy's
wholly owned subsidiary, OxyChem, manufactures and markets chlor-alkali
products and vinyls. Oxy is committed to safeguarding the environment,
protecting the safety and health of employees and neighboring
communities and upholding high standards of social responsibility in all
of the company's worldwide operations.
Copyright Business Wire 2013