People | People-Retirement

Shake-Up in Apache Ranks; Executive to Retire

Share Print Bookmark    |    Friday,June 19,2015

Apache Corporation has reported that after a 21-year career with the company, Rodney J. Eichler, executive vice president and executive advisor to the chief executive officer, will retire at the end of June.

This follows the January 2015 announcement of the retirement of Apache CEO G. Steven Farris.

John J. Christmann, IV, chief executive officer and president, said: "Throughout his career at Apache, Rod has demonstrated integrity and an enduring commitment to our company and our core values. He has played a significant role in growing Apache's successful international businesses. In particular, he was instrumental in building Apache's position in Egypt's Western Desert. Rod has our highest respect for his dedication to Apache, and I know I speak for all my colleagues in wishing him well in retirement," he added.

Eichler's many contributions to Apache include helping to build and shape the company's position and significant growth in Egypt as the country manager; overseeing major global development projects internationally as the chief operating officer – International, and most recently, leading the company's global LNG business and facilitating the recent successful sale of those businesses in April 2015 as the chief executive officer of Kitimat LNG (Upstream).

Tom Maher region vice president and general manager – Apache Egypt, adds: "Those of us who were privileged to work under Rod's leadership in Egypt owe him a debt of gratitude, and we will miss him greatly. He was not only an effective leader who built a world-class business, but a deeply caring person who built and fostered lasting relationships with his Egyptian employees, government partners and the local community."

Eichler joined the company in 1993 as regional exploration and development manager for the Rocky Mountain region in Denver and was promoted in 1996 to regional vice president for the Western Region in Houston. He moved to Egypt in 1997 as the vice president of Exploration and Production and became the regional vice president in 1999. He served in Egypt for 12 years before returning to Houston as the co-chief operating officer and president – International. In 2011, he was promoted to president and chief operating officer where he served for two years before taking on the role of chief executive officer - Kitimat LNG (Upstream) until the company's LNG interests were sold in April 2015.

During his service at Apache, Eichler served as the chairman and as a director of Springboard – Educating the Future, a nonprofit corporation that funded construction of 200 schools for girls in Egypt's rural villages. Eichler also served on the boards of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, the Australian American Chamber of Commerce, U.S.-Egypt Business Council, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Prior to joining the company, Eichler served in the capacity of vice president – Exploration for Axem Resources, LLC in Denver, Colo., and held geologist and management roles for Tenneco Oil Company. Eichler received his bachelor's and master's degrees in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, a certified professional geologist, and a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas.