Chevron Appoints Kevin McLachlan to Lead Global Exploration as Liz Schwarze Retires After 36-Year Career
Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) has announced a major leadership transition within its global exploration division. Effective November 1, Kevin McLachlan will assume the role of Vice President of Exploration, taking charge of the company’s worldwide exploration activities. McLachlan will be based in Houston, Texas, and will succeed Liz Schwarze, who will retire in February 2026 after an illustrious 36-year career with the company.
A Strategic Appointment to Strengthen Global Exploration
Chevron described McLachlan’s appointment as a strategic move to reinforce its leadership team and sustain its competitive edge in global exploration. Clay Neff, President of Chevron Upstream, praised McLachlan’s deep industry experience and leadership track record.
“Kevin will be an important addition to the Exploration organization,” said Neff. “He joins us as an experienced energy executive with extensive expertise and a strong record of leading exploration organizations toward industry-leading performance and value creation.”
The appointment reflects Chevron’s continued emphasis on disciplined capital allocation, technical innovation, and operational excellence. As exploration remains a cornerstone of Chevron’s long-term strategy, McLachlan is expected to drive efficiency, optimize portfolio performance, and integrate new technologies across Chevron’s global operations.
McLachlan’s Extensive Experience in Energy and Technology
McLachlan brings decades of international experience spanning the full energy value chain — from exploration and production to emerging decarbonization technologies. His background includes senior leadership and executive roles at TotalEnergies SE, Murphy Oil Corporation, Nexen Inc., and ExxonMobil Corporation.
Throughout his career, McLachlan has led exploration and development projects across North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. His expertise includes deepwater oil and gas exploration, unconventional resources, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) — all critical areas for Chevron’s future strategy.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics (Honors Program) from the University of Calgary, where he developed a strong technical foundation in geoscience and energy systems that would shape his decades-long career in global energy.
McLachlan is widely regarded as a results-driven leader with a focus on integrating innovation and efficiency into complex exploration programs. His approach combines data-driven decision-making with collaboration across multidisciplinary teams — qualities Chevron has identified as essential in today’s evolving energy landscape.
Honoring Liz Schwarze’s Legacy
McLachlan’s appointment comes as Liz Schwarze prepares to conclude her distinguished tenure at Chevron. Schwarze has been a pivotal figure within Chevron’s Upstream business, known for her strategic insight, technical expertise, and collaborative leadership style.
Over her 36 years with Chevron, Schwarze has held a variety of roles that spanned multiple geographies and functions — including exploration, asset management, and organizational leadership. Her work has been instrumental in advancing Chevron’s portfolio, improving business performance, and developing talent across the company’s global footprint.
“Liz’s career has touched multiple aspects of Chevron’s portfolio, and I’m grateful for the contributions she has made over the course of her career,” Neff said. “Her thoughtful and collaborative leadership has consistently improved business outcomes in every organization and location where she has worked.”
Schwarze’s career highlights include spearheading new exploration strategies, guiding high-performing technical teams, and strengthening Chevron’s culture of innovation and inclusion. Her retirement marks the end of an era defined by consistent achievement, mentorship, and integrity.
Chevron’s Broader Vision: Balancing Energy Growth and Transition
Chevron remains one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with operations spanning oil, natural gas, refining, petrochemicals, and advanced technologies. The company continues to focus on providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy, recognizing that energy access is fundamental to human progress and economic growth.
Under its current strategy, Chevron is simultaneously expanding its traditional oil and gas operations while accelerating efforts in lower-carbon solutions. The company’s portfolio includes projects and partnerships in:
- Renewable fuels – Expanding biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel initiatives to support decarbonization of transportation.
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) – Scaling CCS projects to reduce emissions from industrial and upstream operations.
- Hydrogen – Advancing production and distribution networks for both blue and green hydrogen.
- Offsets and carbon markets – Developing verified carbon offset projects that complement Chevron’s emission reduction goals.
- Power for data centers and industrial applications – Leveraging expertise in energy generation to meet growing digital infrastructure demand.
This integrated approach reflects Chevron’s understanding that the energy transition requires balance — investing in cleaner solutions while maintaining the reliability and scale of conventional energy resources that power global economies.
