ConocoPhillips, CHS Make Senior Management Changes

HOUSTON – ConocoPhillips and CHS Inc., which markets and distributes the Cenex brand to retail fuel and convenience stores, have made several executive management changes recently to support the companies' business and strategic priorities.

At ConocoPhillips, Alan J. Hirshberg, formerly vice president, Worldwide Deepwater and Africa Projects, ExxonMobil, will join the company as senior vice president, Planning & Strategy. Greg C. Garland, formerly president and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, will serve as senior vice president, Exploration & Production-Americas.

Jeff W. Sheets, formerly senior vice president, Commercial and Planning & Strategy, was elected senior vice president, finance and CFO. Willie C.W. Chiang, senior vice president, Refining, Marketing & Transportation, was given responsibility for the company's commercial business activities.

Ryan M. Lance, senior vice president, Exploration and Production, International, and Larry E. Archibald, senior vice president, Exploration and Business Development, will continue in their current roles. All of the foregoing officers will report to James J. Mulva, chairman and chief executive officer.

"The new management team provides the company with strong leadership and experience in all aspects of our operations," Mulva said. "Under their leadership, the company is well positioned to accomplish our strategic objectives as we continue to help meet the world's energy needs."

John A. Carrig, the company's president and COO, announced his intention to retire at the end of February 2011. In the meantime, he will continue as president and assist with the transition of the executive team.

"John has been a member of the senior management team for many years," Mulva said. "His contributions have significantly increased the company's ability to accomplish many of its strategic goals and we will miss him."

Sigmund L. Cornelius, senior vice president, finance and CFO, Stephen R. Brand, senior vice president, technology, and Kevin O. Meyers, senior vice president, Exploration & Production-Americas, announced they will retire from the company at the end of the year.

"Throughout their careers, Sig, Stephen and Kevin have provided valuable effort and leadership for the company," Mulva said. "Their contributions are recognized by everyone who has been associated with them."

In other management news, a number of senior executives of CHS said they will retire by the end of calendar 2010. CHS President and CEO John Johnson has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31. Leon Westbrock, executive vice president and chief operating officer-energy, and Tom Larson, executive vice president-business solutions, will retire on Oct. 29. John Schmitz, executive vice president and CFO, will retire Dec. 31.

The search committee of the CHS board of directors remains on track with its comprehensive process to name a new CEO, with an announcement expected prior to the farmer-owned cooperative's annual meeting Dec. 2, 2010, the company said in a statement.

"This is a time of transition for CHS that we have anticipated with considerable preparation," Johnson said. "Our comprehensive talent development efforts have provided the company with candidates with the depth of experience and leadership skills to succeed these individuals. The company has a clear strategic direction, developed with involvement from dozens of members of the current management team, all of which will enable the company to pursue its long-term goals and continue adding value for its stakeholders.

"And, in making their personal decisions to retire, Leon, Tom and John also recognize that it is in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders to enable the new CEO to name their own leadership team."

Combined, the retiring executives represent nearly a century of service to CHS and its member cooperative owners.

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