Print Far East Energy Corporation reported that Jennifer D. Whitley has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer to succeed Bruce N. Huff. On May 7, 2013,
Mr. Huff notified the Company that he was resigning as the Company's Chief Financial Officer for medical reasons.
"It is with sadness that we announce Bruce Huff's resignation and retirement," said Michael R. McElwrath, CEO and President of Far East Energy. Continuing, McElwrath said, "As the Company's longest-tenured CFO, Bruce has made many tremendous contributions to Far East Energy. He joined the Company in May of 2004, and while serving as CFO saw the company successfully acquire its lynchpin Shouyang concession from ConocoPhillips, was a key contributor to many successful fundraises that funded the early exploration and initial development of our high permeability discovery in Shouyang, and tirelessly fulfilled a very demanding role as our CFO.
"Bruce was also responsible for bringing Jennifer Whitley to the Company. His value to the Company and its shareholders cannot be over-estimated. I am pleased that Jennifer has been able to take on the mantle of CFO during this busy period for the company; her previous experience as Finance Director of a UK listed oil & gas company and CFO of a US mid-stream international energy company provide a strong background for this role. Given events of the past year in which Jennifer played an integral role, the transition will be seamless."
McElwrath continued, "We wish Bruce and his family great happiness in his retirement. The Board of Directors and the entire staff – from corporate headquarters to the Beijing staff as well as our field personnel, join in thanking Bruce for the key role he played in the history of Far East."
Ms. Whitley has served as the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company since February 2013 and Director of Finance of the Company since January 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Whitley served as the Chief Financial Officer of Zero Emission Energy Plants Ltd, a mid-stream international energy company focused in Louisiana and China, from 2008 to 2010. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Whitley served as the Finance Director of Global Energy Development PLC where she was responsible for all of the financial, accounting, and administrative matters for the UK listed company's international oil exploration and production operations. Previously, Ms. Whitley worked at Harken Energy Corporation and on the audit staff of Ernst & Young LLP.
Mrs. Whitley is a Certified Public Accountant and serves on the board of Zero Emission Energy Plants, as well as the board of the Houston Chapter of Financial Executives International. She also serves as Chairman of the Youth Development Center and on the Advisory Board of MentorConnect. She is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs and has previously served on the Business Advisory Council of Pepperdine University. In 2006, Mrs. Whitley received the Change the World Award from her university in honor of her not-for-profit work with children in Houston's under-served neighborhoods.