Transocean Appoints Jeremy D. Thigpen President & CEO
The CFO of Houston-based National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) is stepping down to become CEO of Transocean Ltd. (RIG), one of NOV’s largest customers.
Effective April 22, Jeremy Thigpen will become CEO of Switzerland-based Transocean, which has its main U.S. office in Houston. Thigpen succeeds Ian Strachan, who had been serving as interim CEO since Steven Newman stepped down in February.
Strachan, who is also the company's Chairman of the Board of Directors, will retire from the Board at the end of his term at the 2015 Annual General Meeting following approximately 16 years of service.
Prior to joining Transocean, Thigpen spent his career in various roles at NOV and has served since 2012 as NOV's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, he was President of NOV's Downhole and Pumping Solutions business from 2007 until 2012, and from 2003 to 2007 served as President of NOV's Downhole Tools group.
Thigpen joined National-Oilwell, Inc. in 1997 and, before being named President of Downhole Tools, served in various management and business development capacities, including Director of Business Development and Special Assistant to the Chairman. Thigpen earned a Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University and completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.
"Jeremy is an exceptionally talented and proven executive who brings to Transocean considerable experience and a unique perspective on the industry," said Strachan. "As evidenced by the unanimous support of the Board, Jeremy is the right person at the right time for Transocean. He has a strong record of value creation and fully embraces our business philosophy, including our commitment to safety and operational excellence; respect for our employees, customers and suppliers; honesty and integrity; and financial discipline. We are extremely fortunate to have Jeremy join us in the Chief Executive role."
