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Rick Webber Replaces Dave Bennett as Austral Pacific CEO
3 February 2006 - Austral Pacific Energy appoints Rick Webber to takeover as CEO following resignation of Dave Bennett.
Austral Pacific Energy Ltd has appointed New Zealander Rick Webber as its new president and chief executive officer following the recent resignation of Dave Bennett as CEO.
The Wellington-based company's chairman David Newman, announcing the appointment of Mr. Webber, said he will take up the role from 7 February 2006.
Dr Bennett, who resigned as of 30 December 2005, has been a prominent figure in New Zealand petroleum exploration for many years. He will continue to serve as a director until the company's annual general meeting planned for May 2006. Austral Pacific had earlier announced a succession plan for the company’s top executive was underway.
Mr Webber has some thirty years of experience in the international oil and gas industry, having worked in the Middle East, the Far East, the United Kingdom, Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
He has held a variety of technical and executive roles in previous positions with Schlumberger, BP and Fletcher Challenge Energy. Mr Webber holds an M.Sc. in physics from the University of Auckland and has studied at the Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.
Mr Webber’s appointment follows an extensive international search conducted by a Houston-based firm of global energy search specialists. “We are delighted to have a person of his skills and experience to lead Austral Pacific”, Mr Newman said.
Austral Pacific also announced the appointment of two new directors to the board. They are Dr Douglas Ellenor, a Vancouver oil industry consultant with 35 years international experience in the industry; and Dr Peter Hill, of London, UK, who has 33 years experience in the oil industry including four years in New Zealand while working for BP. Mr. Garth Johnson has resigned from the board.
