People in the industry

Perry A. Fischer, 64, a former editor of World Oil (2002-2009), passed away as the result of an automobile accident in Manvel, Texas, on May 24, 2016, which also claimed the life of his wife, Janeeta K. Fischer, 65. Fischer was born in Moline, Ill., on March 13, 1952, and earned a BS degree in physics, with a minor in geology, from the University of Florida at Gainesville. His industry experience included four years as a wireline field engineer with Schlumberger Offshore Services in Lafayette, La., and three years in offshore production with Production Management Corp., also in Lafayette. He subsequently joined World Oil in May 1998 as engineering editor, and became editor in June 2002. In recent years, and prior to becoming semi-retired, Fischer had worked on several industry assignments and tended to some private investments. Fischer and his wife had a love for travel, and in the last year had begun touring the continental U.S.

Susan Howes has joined Subsurface Consultants & Associates as V.P. of engineering. Previously, Howes held positions as a reservoir management consultant at Chevron, and a learning and organizational development manager at Anadarko Petroleum Corp. She is also chair of the SPE Soft Skills Committee, and previously served as SPE regional director for Gulf Coast North America.

Sanchez Energy Corp. has appointed Robert V. Nelson to its board of directors, effective Aug. 2. Nelson most recently served as V.P. of corporate operational development at C&J Energy Services. Prior to joining C&J, he held various positions with Nabors and its subsidiaries. Nelson brings extensive knowledge of E&P, particularly relating to operations in the Eagle Ford shale, which is a core area for Sanchez Energy.

Oasis Petroleum has elected John E. Hagale to the board of directors. Additionally, he was appointed as a member of the company’s audit committee, as well as its nominating and governance committee. Since July, Hagale has worked as the company’s director. He previously held positions as executive V.P. and CFO at Rosetta Resources, until the company’s merger with Noble Energy in 2015. Hagale serves on the board of directors for Cobalt International Energy, as well.

Fraser Louden has been appointed as CEO of EV. Most recently, he served as managing director at ALS Oil & Gas. Louden held a number of positions throughout his 17 years with Schlumberger, as well. Overall, he brings more than 28 years of industry experience to his new position. In addition to Louden’s appointment, the company has also recruited Rob Potter as global marketing manager, and Tobben Tymons as sales and marketing manager for Eastern Hemisphere operations. For Western Hemisphere operations, the company has appointed Jeff Whitaker as sales and marketing manager.

AISUS Offshore has appointed Andrew Mitchell as business development manager to support the company’s plans for growth on the UKCS. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Mitchell will expand the company’s range of inspection solutions, while also developing and maintaining relationships with existing and potential clients.

Fugro GeoServices has appointed Ross Stevens as managing director. A chartered civil engineer, Stevens has more than a decade of project management and civil contracting experience. He joined Fugro in 2007, and has since gained extensive knowledge in managing global marine site investigations. In 2012, he was appointed deputy managing director of Fugro Engineers BV in the Netherlands, before returning to Fugro Seacore as director in 2015.

Formerly of Hess Corp., Dave Blackburn has been appointed to senior V.P. of engineering and operations at Petrofac. Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, he will manage the business unit’s engineering and operations services throughout Europe. Prior to joining Hess, Blackburn held various positions during his 25-year career with Shell EP Europe.

The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) has selected a president-elect for 2016–2017. Nancy House, an SEG member for nearly 40 years, will assume the position following the 2017 annual meeting in September. She will be the second woman to serve as president since SEG’s founding in 1930. House has served the society in various volunteer and leadership roles, including involvement in the international affairs committee, membership committee, as well as her service as general chair of the 2010 annual meeting, 2011-2012 secretary-treasurer, 2012-2013 chair of the women’s network committee, and 2012-2014 chair of the finance committee.

Hoover Container Solutions’ chairman and CEO, Donald Young, has been elected to the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) advisory board for a three-year term. As a member of the advisory board, Young will offer insight to the PESA board of directors and staff, as well as promote PESA participation within his company.

The American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) has inducted members of the 2016-2017 executive commit-tee at its 62nd annual meeting, which was held in Orlando, Fla., in June. The committee is made up of seven industry executives and petroleum land experts from across the U.S. New executive committee officers include Pamela D. Feist, president; David W. Miller, first V.P.; Jeff Niemeyer, second V.P.; Trinidad Hernandez, third V.P.; Jim Bourbeau, treasurer; Russell Shaw, secretary; and Marc R. Strahn, immediate past president.

H. Paulett Eberhart and Kimberly S. Greene have been elected to Valero Energy Corp.’s board of directors. Eberhart is chair and CEO of HMS Ventures. Greene is the executive V.P. and COO at Southern Company.

After serving as CEO of VAALCO Energy since 2013, Steve Guidry is retiring from the company and board of directors, effective Sept. 1. Prior to joining VAALCO, Guidry had a 33-year career serving in a number of senior executive roles at Marathon Oil Corp. The company’s COO, Cary Bounds, will assume the position of interim CEO, while the board seeks out a new CEO.

Geeta Thakorlal has been named president of INTECSEA. She is the offshore engineering consultancy’s first female president, and brings more than 25 years of industry experience to her new role. Previously, Thakorlal served as global head of the company’s Offshore Select business, as well as senior V.P. for INTECSEA Australia/New Zealand.