Chevron Oronite announces senior leadership changes

Chevron Oronite announced the appointment of Desmond (Des) King, as president effective September 1, following the retirement of Ron Kiskis on August 31 after serving for 13 years as the company’s president.
King comes to Oronite with both operational and commercial expertise as the current president of Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV) and the former managing director and CEO of Caltex Australia, Ltd. He has a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and served as president of the organization in 2010-2011.
During Kiskis’ tenure as president, the company demonstrated steady improvement in safe and reliable operations and achieved strong overall performance that has the company poised for growth, both in terms of developing new additive technology and further expanding its global supply chain. “Ron’s commitment to operational excellence has been a trademark of his leadership and we are extremely grateful for his many contributions that have helped solidify Oronite as a leader in the additives industry,” said Mike Wirth, Chevron’s executive vice president for Downstream & Chemicals.
Chevron Oronite also announced the appointment of Jirong Xiao as vice president of sales and marketing and Barbara Smith as vice president of products and technology effective June 1, when Colin Parfitt, who is the current vice president of sales and marketing, becomes the president of supply and trading in Chevron’s recently realigned Gas and Midstream organization.
Xiao has been the vice president of products and technology for Oronite since 2006. He joined Chevron Research and Technology Company as a research engineer in 1990, and in 1997 became an area business manager in technology marketing. He held other positions of increasing responsibility within the downstream group including assignments in Chevron’s Global Marketing organization. Xiao graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the East China Institute of Chemical Technology in Shanghai, and has a PhD in chemical engineering from MIT.
Smith has been the senior business manager for refinery strategy at Chevron’s Richmond, Calif., U.S.A., refinery since 2010 after having spent time as technical manager at the same facility. Smith began her career with Chevron as a research engineer in catalyst and process development in 1989, which led to technical and leadership roles focusing on new technologies. In 2000, Smith became strategic planning manager for the downstream technology company and an advisor to senior leadership regarding the management of governance processes and other significant business issues. Smith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Canterbury. She has a master’s degree in technology and policy, as well as a PhD in chemical engineering from MIT.
Chevron Oronite Company LLC is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation. It is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of fuel and lubricant additives, providing solutions to customers globally.