People
Southern Company appointed Chris Womack as president and CEO, replacing Thomas A. Fanning, who remains with the company as chairman of the board. Womack joined the company in 1988 as a governmental affairs representative for Alabama Power. He previously was executive vice president and president of external affairs for Southern Company and was named chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power in 2021.
Southern Company also announced that Kimberly S. (Kim) Greene has been named chair of the board of directors, CEO and president of Georgia Power, Greene, who joined Southern Company in 1991 as an engineer designing equipment for power generation stations, most recently served for five years as chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company Gas. She is replaced in that role by James Y. (Jim) Kerr II has been named chairman of the board of directors, CEO and president of Southern Company Gas. He began his Southern Company career in 2014 as the executive vice president, chief legal officer, and chief compliance officer where he led the Office of the General Counsel, which includes the company’s legal, corporate governance, audit and compliance functions.
NW Natural has promoted Joe Karney to vice president of Engineering and Utility Operations from senior director of Utility Operations. He replaces Jon Huddleston, who is retiring.
Thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufacturer Strohm announced three senior appointments in anticipation of growth after tripling its production capacity at its facility in The Netherlands. Sjoerd Verhoef was named project director, filling a vacancy created by the promotion of Hubert Brinkhuis to operations director, and Mathieu Feisthauer was named business development manager of Europe. Verhoef previously supported the aviation and aerospace industry as GKN Fokker’s chief engineer.
ICR Integrity named Gemma Neal as head of Marketing and Communications. She has more than 18 years of marketing and communications experience across energy and other sectors, most recently as head of Marketing at Vysus Group, she led the global rebranding from Lloyd’s Register Energy and worked across the business to support international business initiatives.
Aberdeen-based Paradigm Drilling Services promoted Jim Profit to chief operating officer to support a global expansion of its drilling technologies. profit has more than 20 years of oil and gas experience, specializing in technology and monitoring systems. He previously was with Ulterra, Reed Hycalog, Salunda and NOV.
AltaGas Ltd. announced the retirement of Randy Crawford as president and CEO, after leading the company for four years. AltaGas said Crawford would stay with the Calgary-based infrastructure company until a successor is named.
Ameren Illinois Company named Patrick Smith as senior vice president of Operations and Technical Services to replace the retiring David Wakeman and named Craig Gilson vice president of electric operations and distribution. Smith has been with Ameren for nearly four decades, previously serving as vice president of Economic, Community and Business Development, and vice president, Division Operations for Ameren Missouri. He joined Union Electric, now Ameren Missouri, in 1985 as a meter reader before quickly advancing to leadership positions. Smith holds a bachelor’s of science degree in industrial and organizational psychology and an Executive MBA from Washington University. Gilson’s career also spans 40 years with Ameren. He joined Central Illinois Light Company (CILCO), now Ameren Illinois, as an engineer in Power Generation. He previously was director of Division Operations, Ameren Illinois and oversaw 43 operating divisions as senior director Electric Operations and Distribution. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, an MBA from Bradley University, and is a certified Project Management Professional. Gilson chairs the Reliability and Resiliency Working Group for the Edison Electric Institute Distribution Executive Committee.
Darin Carroll has been promoted to senior vice president, Natural Gas Business, at Centerpoint Energy from senior vice president, Operations Support. Tony Gardner, formerly vice president, customer experience, has been appointed senior vice president and chief customer officer. Steve Greenley, formerly senior vice president, generation development, has been appointed senior vice president, utility operations support. Kate Porter, formerly director, continuous improvement and data analytics, has been promoted to vice president, enterprise operational excellence.
Companies
Harvest Midstream to Acquire Paradigm Midstream
Harvest Midstream agreed to buy Paradigm Midstream, LLC, from Ares Management in a move that Harvest CEO Jason Rebrook said will extend its footprint in the Eagle Ford and expand its presence into North Dakota’s Bakken.
The North Dakota and South Texas assets are comprised of four wholly owned gathering systems known as the Charlson Gathering System, Van Hook Gathering System, Mountrail Gathering System, and Eagle Ford Gathering System.
The Bakken assets transport nearly 100,000 bpd of oil and approximately 75 MMcf/d of natural gas. The South Texas Eagle Ford Gathering System assets transport approximately 14,000 bpd. These systems consist of approximately 350 miles of trunk lines and gathering lines for oil, gas, and water.
The purchase also includes Paradigm’s ownership interest in two joint ventures with Phillips 66. The joint ventures own all of the Keene and Palermo storage terminals and 99% of the Sacagawea crude lines and the Blue Buttes gas line.
Pending regulatory approvals, the sale is expected to close in the Second Quarter of 2023.
Creative Composites Buys Enduro Composites
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites manufacturer Creative Composites Group acquired Houston-based FRP manufacturer Enduro Composites. Enduro Composites will provide installation, repair and aftermarket support in the Western and Southwestern United States.
As one of the largest suppliers of FRP products in the U.S., Enduro’s manufacturing is one of the most diversified in the industry. The array of manufacturing techniques utilized by Enduro provides added efficiencies to CCG’s integrated manufacturing approach – allowing projects to move quicker and schedules to be more flexible.
Associations
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has promoted Tim Gonzalez to director of the association’s new Corporate Outreach and Advocacy Program. Drawing on his experience at organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute and the American Bureau of Shipping, Gonzalez is responsible building relationships to drive and increase the value of AMPP to asset owners and government agencies. Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston and an MBA from Texas A&M University. P&GJ