Former Chesapeake Energy President and CEO Doug Lawler, who departed the Oklahoma City company in 2021 after leading the firm for 8 years has moved across town to become Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Continental Resources Inc.
Continental made the announcement on Tuesday indicating current President and COO Jack Stark plans to retire by late Spring of this year. In retirement, he will move to a part-time consulting role as a senior advice to Continental’s CEO Bill Berry who will become the President and CO.
Stark had been with Continental since 1992. Continental focused on Stark’s announced retirement as the emphasis of the announcement, indicating later in the press release of Lawler’s addition to the company.
Bill Berry, CEO, stated, “Continental would not be the company it is today without Jack Stark. Jack has not only been instrumental in discovering and building the Company’s world class assets; he has built a world class team and put the Company in a position for even greater success in the future. He has been an invaluable leader in the Company and advisor to me and will be deeply missed.”
Harold Hamm, Continental’s founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, added, “Jack has been the best geologist I have had the pleasure of working with in my 55 years in this business. In addition, combined with his skill and leadership in this field, he has created a lasting legacy in the exploration team that he assembled and grew here at Continental. I am grateful for the many years we had during his career.
Lawler’s hiring will be effective Feb. 1, 2022. He spent more than three decades in the oil and gas industry and started his career in 1988 with Kerr-McGee.
“I am excited to have Doug join the team. Doug gives us a tremendous opportunity to expand our leadership team,” said Berry.
“He is an accomplished leader in the industry, and his enthusiasm and ‘can-do’ approach to building a company through exploration and industry leading operations will serve the Company well. I am confident his extensive operational experience and leadership abilities will fit Continental’s culture perfectly.”
” I look forward to working with Doug as he assumes this leadership role in the Company,” said Stark.
Doug Lawler stated, “I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the Continental team. Continental has a 55-year track record of industry leadership, innovation, and success, and I am immensely grateful to be a part of the Company’s bright future. I look forward to collaborating with Jack Stark, whose expertise in exploration and outstanding contributions are well known throughout the energy industry.”
Source: Continental release