The Houston Exploration Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of William G. Hargett as president and CEO. He succeeds James G. Floyd who is retiring after holding those positions for 15 years. Houston Exploration said that Hargett’s extensive technical expertise within the energy industry, most recently as president, North America at Santa Fe Snyder Corp., make him more than qualified for the job. The company also announced that Randall Fleming, senior vice president, exploration and production, has elected to retire from Houston Exploration. As one of the original members of Houston Exploration, Fleming brought his exploration knowledge to the company’s drilling programs in the Gulf of Mexico as well as its onshore programs. Additionally, the company reported that Thomas W. Powers has been promoted to the new position of senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Houston Exploration will host analyst meetings on Wednesday, April 18 to introduce Hargett and Houston Exploration’s management team.

El Paso Corp.’s board elected Basil Woller senior vice president and general auditor and elected Judy Vandagriff senior vice president, tax. Woller joined El Paso in 1979 and has held various tax accounting and audit positions within El Paso Natural Gas before becoming director of corporate audit. In 1997, he became vice president and general auditor for El Paso Corp. Vandagriff became vice president of tax for El Paso in 1996 after the merger with Tenneco Energy. She joined Tenneco in 1990, serving as tax director. Prior to 1990, she was responsible for corporate and regulated tax matters at Arthur Andersen & Co. in Houston.

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