Patrick Pouyanne has been elected CEO and president of Total SA following the death of chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie (see Daily GPI, Oct. 21). Pouyanne was president of the refining and chemicals unit. Former chairman and CEO Thierry Desmarest, who since his retirement has been honorary chairman, will assume the chairmanship until the end of 2015. Pouyanne joined Total in 1997 after working for several years for the French government. “The exceptional human and professional qualities that Christophe de Margerie exhibited during his time at Total were largely responsible for the success of the group,” the board stated.