Apco Names James Bender Chairman, Bryan Guderian CEO - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Apco Oil and Gas International Inc. (APAGF) announced Thursday that its board has appointed James Bender as chairman and board member, and Bryan Guderian as chief executive officer, both effective December 31.

Bender and Guderian succeeds Ralph Hill, who will step down as Chairman, board member and Chief Executive Officer effective December 31. The move coincides with Hill's departure from WPX Energy (WPX), where he also served as the CEO. WPX owns a 69 percent controlling ownership interest in Apco.

Bender, who served as the general counsel for both WPX and Williams (WMB), will serve as the interim CEO at WPX effective December 31 as well.

Guderian, who has more than 30 years of experience in oil and gas, has been on Apco's board since 2002 and currently serves as the senior vice president of operations for WPX, where he has responsibility for the company's international interests. Guderian will remain on the Apco board.

The company added that Michael Kyle will continue to serve as Apco's president and chief operating officer, along with the remainder of the existing management team.