Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited, has announced the appointment of Jim Swartz as the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit, effective April 1, 2024.
The announcement was made through a statement issued by Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited, on Wednesday.
Jim Swartz, formerly the Vice President, Capital Projects based in Houston, USA, brings a wealth of experience in the upstream business and a proven ability to build effective partnerships with stakeholders.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Geology, Swartz also holds a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Oklahoma. His journey with Chevron started in 1990 as a Geologist in Louisiana, and over the years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in Angola and the United States.
Swartz takes over from Richard (Rick) Kennedy, who has chosen to retire after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the company.
Rick’s tenure as Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit was marked by thoughtful and collaborative leadership, leading to improved business outcomes.
During his time, Rick made substantial contributions to the Nigerian oil and gas industry as the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). In this role, he played a crucial part in industry engagements on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and other initiatives.
Additionally, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Rick demonstrated commitment to peace-building and the socio-economic development of the region.