Chevron announced Friday that it will be moving its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston.
By the end of 2024, CEO Mike Wirth and Vice Chairman Mark Nelson will also move to Houston to “enable better collaboration and engagement with executives, employees, and business partners,” the company said. All corporate functions should follow suit over the next five years, except for those supporting the company’s California operations.
Chevron currently has around 2,000 employees in San Ramon and approximately 7,000 in the Houston area.
The company also announced the upcoming retirements of three company leaders. Chevron’s executive vice president of oil, products and gas, Nigel Hearne, will retire this fall after 35 years with the company, Rhonda Morris, vice president and chief human resources officer, and Colin Parfitt, vice president of midstream, will also retire in the coming months.
Hearn took over as VP of oil, products and gas in October 2022, according to his bio on the company’s website. He first joined the company when he was hired by Texaco in 1989 as a power engineer. He took a number of roles both in the U.S. and internationally in the intervening years and through the 2001 merger of Chevron and Texaco.
Some of Hearne’s more recent roles include president of Chevron Eurasia-Pacific Exploration and Production Company and managing director of Chevron Australia heading the Australasia business unit from 2016 to 2018.
Hearn will be replaced by Mark Nelson, Chevron’s vice chairman, on Oct. 1.
“Nigel’s contributions across the business and around the world have made Chevron a stronger company,” said Mike Wirth, Chevron’s chairman and chief executive officer. “He’s been an inspiring leader and mentor to many, and his accomplishments position our company for even more success in the future.”
Nelson, Hearne’s successor, has been vice chairman of Chevron since February 2023. He previously served as executive vice president of downstream and chemicals and vice president of corporate strategic planning, among other roles.
Morris has been with Chevron for 31 years, and vice president and chief human resources officer since 2016. She has been deeply involved in developing the oil company’s leadership succession, learning and talent, diversity and inclusion, workforce planning and total rewards programs.
“Rhonda has been a tireless advocate for our people, helping ensure our employees work in an inclusive environment where they can learn, develop and have rewarding careers,” said Wirth.
Wirth will be succeeded by Michelle Green, vice president, human resources, oil, products and gas, on Jan. 1, 2025. Green has held a number of HR positions with Chevron since 1998, according to her LinkedIn bio.
Finally, Parfitt will retire after 29 years of service to the company and five years in his current role, where he’s responsible for the company’s shipping, pipeline, power and energy management and supply and trading operating units.
“Colin has made an important impact on Chevron’s commercial capabilities,” said Wirth. “Under his leadership, our Midstream organization has created value by connecting and better integrating value chains around the world.”
Andy Walz, currently president of America’s products, will be promoted to president of downstream, midstream and chemicals, effective Oct. 1, 2024. He will be responsible for directing the company’s worldwide manufacturing, marketing, lubricants, chemicals and additives businesses along with Chevron’s shipping, pipeline, power and trading units.
