EnerVest Announces Executive Promotions; Ken Mariani Named President

HOUSTON, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- EnerVest, Ltd., today announced that Ken Mariani has been named President of the Company. John B. Walker, founder of EnerVest, will retain the position of Chief Executive Officer and also will continue as Executive Chairman of EV Energy Partners, L.P. (EVEP). In this capacity, Walker will focus his daily efforts on acquisitions, institutional fundraising, EVEP and strategic planning.

In addition, the Company announced that Stephen McDaniel has been named President and CEO of EnerVest Operating Company, and Jud Walker has been named Executive Vice President and COO of EnerVest Operating Company.

As President of EnerVest, Ltd., Mariani will have day-to-day management responsibility of the Company. Initially, Ken will be more involved with the Company's acquisitions efforts and continue to provide focus on EnerVest Operating Company and Planning and Analysis.

"Ken's leadership skills have enhanced our operations and provided strong direction for our employees," Walker said. "We are blessed to have a strong management team, and I look forward to working closely with Ken in his new role."

Mariani joined the EnerVest family in 2000 and most recently served the Company as Executive Vice President of EnerVest, Ltd., and President and CEO of EnerVest Operating Company. Prior to that he was Senior Vice President and General Manager – Eastern Division – for 11 years. From 1991 to 2000 he served as Vice President of Operations for Energy Corporation of America (ECA), and was responsible for Engineering, Land, Geology and Production operations. Prior to his role at ECA, he held various engineering positions at Conoco, Inc., in the Midland, TX, and Rocky Mountain Divisions.

Mariani holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating cum laude with a Petroleum option. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas (Permian Basin) and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

He is an active member of various Independent Oil and Gas Associations, and recently served on the Board of Directors in the Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia associations. He is past Chairman of the Appalachian Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

Prior to being named to his new position, McDaniel served as Executive Vice President and COO of EnerVest Operating Company. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager – Western Division, and also ran the acquisition and divestiture group for EnerVest where he was responsible for more than $1 billion in acquisitions and more than $400 million in divestitures.

Before joining EnerVest in 2000, McDaniel worked for Santos USA Corp., Coastal Oil & Gas Corporation and OXY USA Inc. in reservoir and operations engineering positions of increasing responsibility.

He earned a Petroleum Engineering degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

McDaniel is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Houston Producers Forum.

Prior to being named Executive Vice President and COO of EnerVest Operating Company, Jud Walker served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Company's San Juan/Permian asset team. He joined the company as Vice President of Geosciences and Director of New Ventures. 

Prior to joining EnerVest in 2009, he was employed with Chesapeake Energy. He was the lead geoscientist for multiple plays within both the Delaware and Val Verde Basins during his seven-year tenure at the company.

He is a founding member of the Next Generation Giving Circle, associated with the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology, cum laude, from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in Geological Sciences, summa cum laude, from The University of Texas at Austin.

Mark Houser, President and CEO of EVEP, and Jim Vanderhider, President and CEO of EnerVest Institutional G.P., will continue in their primary management roles at our master limited partnership and our institutional business, respectively.

Houston-based EnerVest, founded in 1992, acquires, develops and operates more than 23,000 oil and gas wells in 15 states on behalf of its institutional investors. EnerVest also is the general partner of the general partner of EV Energy Partners, L.P., traded as EVEP on NASDAQ. More information about the company is available at www.enervest.net.

EnerVest, Ltd.
Ron Whitmire
713-659-3500

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SOURCE EnerVest, Ltd.