Chevron Announces Executive Leadership Transition as Amit R. Ghai Appointed Controller, Succeeding Alana K. Knowles Upon Her Retirement
Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) has announced a major leadership transition as Amit R. Ghai will assume the role of Controller of Chevron, effective March 1, 2026. Ghai will succeed Alana K. Knowles, who is set to retire in April 2026 following an impressive 38-year career with the company. The appointment marks a key step in Chevron’s ongoing succession planning and underscores its commitment to fostering strong financial leadership as the company navigates the evolving global energy landscape.
In his new role, Ghai will oversee Chevron’s accounting policy, corporate and external financial reporting, internal controls, global business services, and digital finance teams. He will report directly to Eimear Bonner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chevron. This strategic appointment positions Ghai at the forefront of Chevron’s financial management and digital transformation efforts as the company continues to balance operational excellence, capital discipline, and energy transition initiatives.
“Amit’s broad financial background, effective leadership as assistant controller, and ability to work across business and finance teams make him well-prepared for this senior management role,” said Bonner. “His deep understanding of our business, combined with his passion for innovation and team development, will continue to strengthen Chevron’s financial foundation as we move into the future.”
A Career Built on Global Experience and Financial Excellence
Amit R. Ghai brings three decades of industry and financial experience to the role. He began his career in 1996 and joined Chevron in 2004 through the company’s Finance MBA program, which develops future leaders for global finance and business operations. Over the past 20 years, Ghai has held a diverse range of leadership roles across multiple geographies and business units, building a reputation for financial rigor, strategic insight, and cross-functional collaboration.
Most recently, Ghai has served as Chevron’s Assistant Controller, where he has led financial strategy, strengthened internal controls, and ensured the integrity of company-wide financial reporting. His work has played a key role in maintaining Chevron’s reputation for transparency, reliability, and regulatory compliance. He also serves as secretary of the Board Audit Committee, contributing to Chevron’s governance and risk management framework.
Throughout his career, Ghai has built a strong track record of leadership across various functions. His past roles include general accounting manager in Angola, finance manager for California upstream operations, general manager of corporate treasury in Singapore, general manager of finance for supply and trading in Houston, and controller for downstream and chemicals in California. These experiences have given him a comprehensive understanding of Chevron’s global operations and the financial complexities of the energy value chain—from exploration and production to refining, trading, and distribution.
Ghai’s educational background further supports his technical and strategic capabilities. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Michigan, an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology in India. His unique combination of engineering and finance expertise allows him to bridge technical and economic disciplines—an increasingly valuable skill set in a sector undergoing rapid technological and environmental transformation.
Honoring a Distinguished Career: Alana K. Knowles’ Legacy
Ghai’s appointment follows the planned retirement of Alana K. Knowles, who has served Chevron with distinction for nearly four decades. Since joining the company in 1988, Knowles has been a cornerstone of Chevron’s finance organization, playing a central role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, governance, and digital modernization.
Knowles began her career in Chevron’s North America upstream division, where she supported accounting and finance operations. Over the years, she held positions of increasing responsibility across finance, accounting, treasury, and investor relations, ultimately becoming a key member of Chevron’s senior financial leadership team. Prior to serving as Controller, she was Vice President of Finance for Downstream, Chemicals, and Midstream, leading financial strategy and performance across Chevron’s integrated global operations.
In these roles, Knowles demonstrated an exceptional ability to balance financial discipline with strategic innovation. She championed the development of finance professionals throughout the organization and played a pivotal role in advancing digital finance initiatives, helping Chevron enhance efficiency, transparency, and decision-making across its global finance network. As a leader, Knowles was known for her collaborative spirit, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to Chevron’s core values of integrity, partnership, and high performance.
Mike Wirth, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Chevron, paid tribute to Knowles’ remarkable career and leadership impact. “Over the course of her 38-year career at Chevron, Alana has made countless contributions that have made our company stronger. Her dynamic leadership, financial expertise, and unwavering commitment have made an enduring impact on our company, our culture, and our success,” Wirth said. “She has set a high standard of excellence and leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape Chevron’s finance organization for years to come.”
Continuing Chevron’s Legacy of Financial Leadership
The transition from Knowles to Ghai represents a seamless continuation of Chevron’s tradition of developing world-class financial talent from within. It also reflects the company’s broader commitment to leadership continuity, diversity, and adaptability in a fast-changing global energy environment. As Chevron pursues its dual objectives of delivering superior shareholder returns and advancing a lower-carbon future, financial stewardship remains a cornerstone of its strategy.
Under Ghai’s leadership, Chevron’s finance organization is expected to continue driving digital transformation, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and strengthening governance systems that support transparency and accountability. With his extensive experience across upstream, downstream, and trading operations, Ghai is well-positioned to align Chevron’s financial frameworks with its strategic goals of growth, efficiency, and sustainability.
Chevron’s leadership transition highlights the importance of internal talent development in sustaining long-term corporate success. Both Knowles and Ghai exemplify Chevron’s culture of excellence—where deep operational knowledge, global perspective, and ethical leadership converge to support one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies.
As Chevron prepares for this transition in early 2026, the company’s financial leadership remains focused on maintaining stability, supporting operational execution, and advancing innovation to meet the world’s evolving energy needs. Ghai’s appointment marks not just a change in leadership, but also a reaffirmation of Chevron’s enduring commitment to strong governance, disciplined financial management, and a forward-looking vision for the future of energy.
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