Suncor Energy announces senior executive appointments and organizational changes

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 19, 2011) - Suncor Energy Inc. today announced changes to the company's senior executive team and organizational structure. The changes are designed to fully support the company's recently announced strategic growth plan, as well as to streamline certain areas of Suncor's operations. All changes will be effective January 31, 2011.

"The new structure is designed to ensure the successful implementation and long term sustainability of Suncor's growth strategy and our focus on measured and responsible development of both our oil sands and conventional oil and gas assets," said Rick George, president and chief executive officer.

Under the plan, Kirk Bailey will assume the new position of executive vice president, Oil Sands Ventures. In this position, Bailey will direct his experience in leading Suncor's oil sands operations to ensuring the successful approval, development, commissioning and start up of oil sands growth projects planned under Suncor's strategic partnership with Total E&P Canada. He will also represent Suncor's interest in non-operated oil sands assets, including the Syncrude joint venture. Bailey is currently executive vice president, Oil Sands, a position he has held since 2007. He has also held leadership positions in Suncor's downstream operations and in strategic planning.

Mark Little, currently senior vice president, International and Offshore, will take on the position of executive vice president, Oil Sands. In this role, Little will be charged with continuing to lead improvements in competitiveness, safety and sustainability at Suncor's oil sands mining, extraction and upgrading operations. Little's past experience includes roles in strategic planning and in development and growth of major oil sands projects.

Also as part of the announced organizational changes, Suncor's International and Offshore and Natural Gas business divisions will merge into a single conventional production-focused organization, including both onshore and offshore operations. Francois Langlois, currently vice president, Operations in the International and Offshore division, will assume leadership of the combined assets in the new role of senior vice president, Exploration and Production. Langlois has been with the company for 29 years and has held leadership roles in conventional and unconventional natural gas development, and international and offshore exploration and production.

"The new Ventures leadership role in our oil sands business will provide separate and clear mandates to help ensure an appropriate focus on the performance of our existing operations, as well as strong and direct oversight of our oil sands growth strategy," said Steve Williams, chief operating officer. "In our conventional assets, with the combination of International and Offshore and Natural Gas into a single business, we expect to better leverage expertise in exploration, engineering and geosciences, building bench strength and new opportunities within the Suncor team."

Neil Camarta, executive vice president, Natural Gas will assist Francois Langlois in the transition to the new Exploration and Production business before retiring from Suncor effective Jan 31, 2011. 

"We want to thank Neil Camarta for his tremendous contributions to our business," said George. "The breadth and depth of industry experience he has shared has been instrumental in setting our path forward over this transformational time for Suncor. His insight, wise counsel and humour have influenced many of our next generation of leaders."

Suncor Energy Inc. is Canada's premier integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development and upgrading, conventional and offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining, and product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand. While working to responsibly develop petroleum resources, Suncor is also developing a growing renewable energy portfolio. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.