NOIA Elects McEvoy, Chairman Welch Vice Chair

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) Board of Directors has elected Kevin McEvoy as Chairman and Dave Welch as Vice Chairman for the upcoming 2016-2017 term. McEvoy and Welch assumed their positions at the NOIA Annual Meeting today in Washington, D.C.
 
Since 2011, McEvoy has served as Chief Executive Officer of Oceaneering International, Inc., global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on deepwater applications.  He also serves on the company’s board of directors, and was the NOIA Vice Chairman for the 2015-2016 term.
 
“I am honored for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of NOIA. With low commodity prices and a tough regulatory environment, this is a critical time for the offshore energy industry,” said McEvoy.  “While we face significant challenges, I am confident we can overcome them. I look forward to working alongside NOIA members to fight for consistent, transparent, and productive federal policies that allow for the continued development of all energy sources in all areas of the OCS.”
 
Welch becomes the first producer to serve as Vice Chairman in NOIA’s history. In 2004, Welch joined Stone Energy Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company. He is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Stone Energy.  Welch has also previously served on NOIA’s board of directors.
 
Welch said, “It is a great privilege to continue serving NOIA in this new capacity. I look forward to working with Kevin, Randall, and the NOIA membership in continuing NOIA’s mission to promote the safe development of offshore energy for the continued growth and security of the United States.”
 
NOIA President Randall Luthi said, “NOIA works to secure a fair and reliable regulatory environment offshore and to increase access to the energy resources of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf.  Our industry already provides much needed jobs, is the source of vital revenue streams for federal, state and local governments, and produces domestic energy for our nation.  Despite the current low commodity prices and restrictive regulatory environment, we know U.S. energy holds great potential for the future. As we wrap up the current administration, and look towards the next, NOIA leadership is in fine hands with Kevin and Dave.  Their combined experience, knowledge of the industry and ability to advocate before key policymakers, will leverage our reach and impact as an association. We look forward to the coming year.”
 
Luthi concluded, “This last year brought some of the lowest commodity prices in a generation, but also the future opportunity to export oil and natural gas throughout the world.  We were most fortunate to have Cindy Taylor, President and CEO of Oil States International as our Chairman to lead us through the tumultuous times. Under her watch, NOIA continued to press  for more offshore access and against the growing threat of regulatory burdens that may stifle the availability of safe, affordable, and reliable oil and natural gas. Taylor will remain active on the NOIA board of directors.
 
“This year the faces change, but the quality doesn’t.  It is tribute to our industry that these leaders are willing to contribute their valuable time to serve NOIA and its members.”
 
McEvoy has been with Oceaneering for 37 years, serving as CEO since May 2011. During his tenure at Oceaneering, he has held a variety of progressively more responsible domestic and international positions in marketing, administration, and operations, including President, COO, Executive VP, Senior VP and VP. He started his offshore career as an officer in the U.S. Navy working in the areas of diving, salvage, and submarine rescue. He has undergraduate degrees in Biology and Geology from Brown University and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
 
Prior to joining Stone Energy Corporation, David held executive positions with Amoco and later BP, including Director of Strategic Planning, President of the Amoco Gulf Group, Senior VP of BP North America and President of BP Alaska Canada Gas. He also spent 5 years with the US Geological Survey and one year as an adjunct professor at Tulane University in the graduate school. Welch studied petroleum engineering at LSU and Colorado School of Mines, economics and chemical engineering at Tulane, and business at Harvard.