Chevron has named new leaders for supply and trading, production and strategy. | Shutterstock
Chevron Corp. announced a series of senior leadership changes that will take effect throughout 2026.
The transitions affect several areas that influence U.S. fuel supply and wholesale markets, including supply and trading, domestic shale production and corporate strategy, as Chevron continues integrating Hess, which it acquired in July 2025, into its operations.
Houston-based Chevron supplies fuel to thousands of branded locations in the U.S., including its company-owned convenience stores under the ExtraMile brand.
Supply and trading leadership transitions
Patricia Leigh, president of supply and trading, will retire in July after 35 years of service. Leigh assumed her current role in 2024, leading Chevron’s supply, logistics and trading strategy.
“Patti’s deep expertise in many aspects of our business enabled her to shape supply and trading with strategic and commercial insight,” Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth said in a statement. “She has had a significant positive impact on the organization and its people.”
Molly Laegeler, currently chief strategy officer, will succeed Leigh effective March 1. Laegeler joined Chevron in 2005 and previously oversaw operations of several assets. In her new role, she will lead the company’s supply and trading organization, focusing on profitability and enterprise value delivery.
Chevron’s supply and trading organization oversees crude sourcing, product trading and logistics, functions that directly affect wholesale fuel markets and rack pricing across the United States, according to the company.
Fuel supply production leadership changes
Bruce Niemeyer, president of shale and tight, Chevron’s leadership role overseeing oil and gas production from shale and other dense rock formations, will retire in October after 26 years with the company. Since joining Chevron in 2000, he has led upstream businesses across North America, the global strategy and sustainability organization and exploration and production for the Americas. Niemeyer will serve as senior executive adviser through October.
“Bruce has led with vision, character and a deep appreciation for the people at the heart of the work,” Wirth said. “He leaves a legacy of strong leadership and proven results.”
Chevron produces significant volumes of crude from the Permian Basin, where the company has one of its largest U.S. upstream footprints and is targeting about 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day of output from the region. U.S. crude production is heavily concentrated in the Permian Basin. In 2024, the region produced more crude oil than any other U.S. region, accounting for about 48% of total U.S. output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Gerbert Schoonman, currently senior executive adviser for Hess integration, will succeed Niemeyer effective April 1. Schoonman joined Chevron in July following the merger of Chevron and Hess. He brings more than 35 years of international oil and gas experience with Hess and Shell, with expertise in asset management, production operations and operational efficiency across Asia, Europe and the United States.
Corporate strategy and business development moves
Kevin Lyon, currently Hess integration leader, will succeed Laegeler as chief strategy officer effective March 1. Lyon joined Chevron in 1988 and has led upstream operations and large-scale projects across the United States, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. As chief strategy officer, he will guide enterprise strategy, portfolio optimization and sustainability efforts.
Frank Mount, president of corporate business development, will retire in November after 33 years with the company. Mount has led Chevron’s global business development activities since 2023.
“Throughout his career, Frank has contributed significantly to the success of Chevron,” Wirth said. “I’m grateful for his years of service and dedication.”
Jake Spiering, currently director of investor relations, will succeed Mount as president of corporate business development effective Aug. 1. Spiering joined Chevron in 2008 and has held finance leadership roles across a broad portfolio of global assets.
The appointments come as Chevron continues integrating Hess following its acquisition, expanding its U.S. and international upstream portfolio.
Investor relations hire
Jeanine Wai will become director of investor relations effective April 1. Wai previously held engineering and finance roles at Chevron and rejoined the company in January. She brings operating and capital markets experience from prior positions at TotalEnergies, Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Citi and Bechtel.
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