Chevron, one of the world’s leading oil companies, has announced the appointment of Mr. Jim Swartz as the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and the Mid-Africa Business Unit, effective April 1, 2024.

CNL operates the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

In a statement released by Chevron’s General Manager for Policy, Government, and Public Affairs Unit, Esimaje Brikinn, it was revealed that Jim Swartz previously served as the Vice President of Capital Projects based in Houston, USA. Swartz brings a wealth of experience in the upstream oil and gas business and a proven track record of building effective partnerships with stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Oklahoma.

Swartz’s career with Chevron began in 1990 as a Geologist in Louisiana, and he has since held positions of increasing responsibility in Angola and the United States. He will be taking over from Richard (Rick) Kennedy, who has chosen to retire after nearly 40 years of service to the company.

Chevron expressed its appreciation for Rick Kennedy’s leadership during his tenure as Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit. Kennedy’s collaborative approach led to improved business outcomes, and he played a significant role in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He served as Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where he led industry engagements on critical matters like the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and other industry initiatives. Additionally, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Kennedy was committed to peace-building and the socio-economic development of the region.

This leadership transition at Chevron signifies the company’s commitment to its operations in Nigeria and the broader Mid-Africa region.