Calgary-based energy giant Suncor has announced that Steve Williams will retire as the company’s CEO at its annual general meeting on May 2.
Suncor has also announced that Mark Little, chief operating officer, has been appointed president effective immediately and will assume the role of CEO when Williams retires.
“Steve has demonstrated exceptionally strong leadership as president and chief executive officer at Suncor,” said Mike Wilson, chair of Suncor’s board of directors, in a statement.
“Steve has been with Suncor for 16 years and has a long list of contributions, including leading the company in achieving greater reliability, profitability and environmental and safety improvement through operational excellence and ensuring the long-term resilience of the company.
Steve Williams
“He’s overseen Suncor’s profitable growth both through strategic acquisitions and well-executed projects such as Fort Hills, which has raised the bar for our industry in terms of successful project management and ramp up, technology deployment, and engagement with Aboriginal communities. He’s led the charge as Suncor took a leadership position in sustainability by improving Suncor’s economic, environmental and social performance and influencing the industry through the formation of technology-focused organizations, including Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance and its predecessor, the Oil Sands Leadership Initiative. He also stands out as an influential business leader in Canadian and international forums, serving as a board member of the Business Council of Canada, an advisory committee member for Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission and as a member of the official federal delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.”
In a statement Williams said: “I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of Suncor, working with a highly effective team as we developed and executed our business strategy. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished together – raising the bar on performance, profitably growing the company, and demonstrating leadership in sustainability, while consistently returning value to our shareholders. I extend my appreciation to Suncor’s employees who through the course of their daily work, reflect our dedication and commitment to shareholders and their communities. I also want to thank our executive team for their strategic insights and our board of directors for their unwavering support.
“It’s been a privilege to lead Suncor. I’m making this transition now, knowing that it’s a good time to do so. Thanks to a sound strategy grounded in operational excellence and capital discipline, a healthy balance sheet, and an ongoing focus on sustainability and technology and innovation, I’m optimistic about Suncor’s future under Mark’s leadership.”
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