Boart Longyear has announced the expected appointment of experienced mining and energy services industry leader, Richard O’Brien, as President and CEO of the company, effective April 1 2013. Most recently serving as President and CEO of NYSE-listed Newmont Mining Corp, one of the world’s largest gold producers, O’Brien brings 25 years of operational and financial experience in the natural resources, energy and power sectors to his new role. The appointment followed a comprehensive international search in which a range of strong internal and external candidates were considered.
O’Brien has served as Newmont’s CEO for six years as well as its CFO prior to becoming CEO. Newmont Mining operates mines in North and South America, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Africa. Prior to Newmont Mining, O’Brien‘s executive roles included Executive Vice President and CFO of U.S. energy services company AGL Resources, and Chief Operating Officer and CFO at PacifiCorp, a western US utilities company. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in economics from the University of Chicago and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from Lewis and Clark Law School.
O’Brien said, “I am honoured to be joining the Boart Longyear team and look forward to building upon the company’s remarkable heritage and innovative spirit to deliver increased value to Boart Longyear’s customers and shareholders.”
The company also announced Barbara Jeremiah has been elected Chair of the Board effective March 1 2013. Ms Jeremiah, who has been a company director since October 2011, assumes the Chair role from David McLemore, who will remain on the Board.
Commenting on O’Brien’s appointment, Ms Jeremiah said that he “is exceptionally well suited to lead Boart Longyear. His experience leading Newmont for the last several years gives him unique insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the mining industry at large and Boart Longyear specifically. Richard’s strategic focus, financial expertise and appreciation for the complexities of operating globally will benefit the company. These attributes will be important in strengthening Boart Longyear’s position as the leading drilling services, drilling equipment and performance tooling provider for the global mining industry.”