Gretchen Watkins, president of Shell USA, Houston, is leaving on July 31, after seven years with the energy giant. Shell’s EVP Gulf of America Colette Hirstius will succeed Watkins effective Aug. 1. Hirstius will retain her position overseeing the company’s operations in the Gulf of America, as she steps into her new role.
“Colette’s appointment supports Shell’s strategic priorities outlined at CMD25 [Capital Markets Day], simplifying our organizational structure to enhance focus and reinforcing our commitment to delivering value from advantaged positions and integrated businesses in key markets such as the United States,” a Shell spokesperson told CSP Daily News.
Shell’s CEO Wael Sawan thanked Watkins for her service as president of Shell USA, and said that her leadership has been “key to driving performance, discipline and simplification in our US-based businesses.”
On Friday, Shell plc declared a $3.5 billion buyback program in reporting its first-quarter earnings, making this the 14th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion of buybacks.
“Our strong performance and resilient balance sheet give us the confidence to commence another $3.5 billion of buybacks for the next three months, consistent with the strategic direction we set out at our Capital Markets Day in March," Sawan said.
Sawan’s comments on Friday were followed by a Bloomberg report this weekend that the oil giant is looking to purchase its convenience store and fuel company rival bp, Chicago.
- Shell is No. 38 on CSP’s 2025 Top 40 Update to the 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count. Watch for the full 2025 Top 202 ranking in the June issue of CSP magazine and in CSP Daily News.
Shell now serves about 8 million customers per day with a brand presence at approximately 12,000 fueling stations across the United States. Globally, Shell serves around 32 million customers per day at its mobility sites, who visit for quality fuels, electric-vehicle (EV) charging and convenience and non-fuel products and services.
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