Chevron Vice Chair to Succeed Watson as CEO

Chevron announced September 28 that its board elected Michael Wirth to succeed John Watson as CEO and chairman, effective February 1, 2018.

Wirth became vice chairman of the board of directors in February 2017. He is also executive vice president of midstream and development, a position he has held since 2016. Previously, he was executive vice president of downstream & chemicals for nearly a decade. Prior to that he served as president of Global Supply and Trading and president of Marketing for Chevron's Asia/Middle East/Africa business, based in Singapore. He also served on the board of directors for Caltex Australia Limited and GS Caltex in South Korea.

Watson will retire after 37 years at Chevron "of distinguished service, including eight years as chairman and CEO." He said of his successor, who has worked for Chevron for 35 years: "Mike is a proven leader who is ideally suited to lead Chevron into the next chapter of our history."

Mark Nelson will become vice president of Midstream, Strategy & Policy, effective February 1, 2018, and hence responsible for the company's supply and trading, shipping, pipeline and power operating units. He will also oversee corporate strategy, as well as policy, government and public affairs.

Michael Wirth is to become Chevron CEO from February 2018 (Photo credit: Chevron)

Mark Smedley