David N. Parker, president and CEO of the American Gas Association (AGA), formally announced that he will retire from AGA at the end of 2010. Parker told the board that his retirement is part of a transition process that he initiated in 2007 to ensure that AGA continues to have a strong leadership team going forward. He has headed the association, whose members primarily are local distribution companies, for 13 years. As part of that transition, Parker announced that two AGA senior staff members are taking on new responsibilities. Paula Gant, promoted to senior vice president, policy and planning, will develop and manage AGA’s policy and regulatory agenda. Laura Sheehan has been promoted to senior vice president, public affairs, where she will oversee AGA’s advocacy and government affairs. In addition, Kyle Rogers, AGA’s chief liaison to NARUC, has been promoted to vice president. The AGA board of directors will form a search committee to identify a successor.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has promoted Al Walker to president and COO. Jim Hackett, who relinquishes the president post but keeps his titles as chairman and CEO, said the promotion recognized Walker’s “contributions to Anadarko’s success and advances the company’s management development and executive leadership for the future.” Walker joined Anadarko in 2005 as CFO and played a role in identifying, negotiating and integrating Anadarko’s corporate acquisitions in 2006 and in selling assets that were the source of the company’s debt reduction that followed, the company said.

ConocoPhillips said the president of the company’s Alaska unit, J.L. (Jim) Bowles, 57, was killed in an avalanche Feb. 13 while snowmobiling on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Alan Gage, a fellow employee who was with Bowles, was reported missing and is presumed dead, the company said. Helene Harding, vice president of North Slope operations and development, will temporarily take over Bowles’ duties. CEO Jim Mulva said Bowles has led the “Alaska organization and its some 900 employees since late 2004 and presided over a number of developments that ensured our company’s place and standing in Alaska and will serve as a legacy to his leadership as we go forward.” Bowles began his career at Phillips Petroleum Co. in 1974. Gage joined ConocoPhillips in 2006.

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