SAN ANTONIO --Valero Energy Corp. announced today that Bill Klesse has chosen to step down as chairman of the board effective Dec. 30, 2014. Joe Gorder, chief executive officer and president, has been elected by the board to the role of chairman to succeed Klesse effective December 31.
As reportd in a 21st Century Smole/CSP Daily News Flash, Klesse served as president from January 2008 to December 2012. He became CEO at the end of 2005 and was named chairman in 2007. He stepped down as CEO on May 1, 2014, succeeded by Gorder, president and chief operating officer since 2012.
"I would like to thank our employees, Valero's stockholders, our customers and suppliers, and our communities where we live and work for the support they have given Valero and me," Klesse said. "I ask that these same stakeholders continue to give Joe the same support they have given me. Our succession plan has been in place for some time and has progressed as planned with the complete involvement and support of our board of directors."
Klesse has spent his entire 45-year career with Valero and its predecessor companies. Klesse also served as Valero’s executive vice president and COO from 2003 through 2005 and as executive vice president of refining and commercial operations upon Valero's acquisition of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. (UDS) in 2001, among other roles.
"Bill has done a great job of leading Valero, and he has positioned the company very well to continue to succeed," Gorder said. "Our board and our employees are truly grateful for Bill's leadership and service to Valero, and we wish him continued health and happiness as he begins the next chapter of his life."
In addition to his current position, Gorder previously held positions at Valero including executive vice president, chief commercial officer and president of Valero Europe; executive vice president of marketing and supply; and senior vice president for corporate development and strategic planning. He has been with Valero and its predecessors for 27 years.
San Antonio-based Valero is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products and power. Its assets include 15 refineries, 11 ethanol plants and more. Through subsidiaries, Valero owns the general partner of Valero Energy Partners LP, a midstream master limited partnership (MLP). Approximately 7,400 gas stations carry the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock and Beacon brands in the United States and the Caribbean; Ultramar in Canada; and Texaco in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
It also operated the 1,900-unit Corner Store convenience store network until spinning it off as CST Brands Inc. in May 2013.
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