NextDecade Appoints Energy Finance Veteran John Zuklic as Chief Financial Officer
NextDecade Corporation, a developer and future operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure, has announced the appointment of John Zuklic as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 6, 2026. The leadership transition marks an important milestone for the company as it advances from the development phase of its flagship LNG projects toward becoming a long-term operating company with significant growth ambitions.
Zuklic succeeds Mike Mott, who has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer during a pivotal period for the company. Following the transition, Mott will return to his previous position as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Transformation, where he will continue supporting strategic initiatives designed to enhance organizational performance and operational readiness.
The appointment brings to NextDecade a seasoned executive with more than three decades of experience in the energy sector. Throughout his career, Zuklic has built a reputation as a finance leader capable of guiding large, capital-intensive organizations through periods of expansion, transformation, and financial restructuring. His expertise spans a broad range of disciplines, including corporate finance, treasury management, capital allocation, financial strategy, stakeholder relations, governance, risk management, and organizational development.
As NextDecade progresses with the construction and future operation of LNG infrastructure assets, the company’s leadership believes that Zuklic’s extensive background will be instrumental in supporting long-term value creation and ensuring disciplined financial management.
Extensive Experience in Energy Finance
Before joining NextDecade, Zuklic served as Chief Financial Officer of Citgo Petroleum Corporation, one of the largest refining and marketing companies in North America. He assumed the role in 2020 and led the company’s finance organization through a period characterized by changing market conditions, operational challenges, and strategic financial initiatives.
During his tenure at CITGO, Zuklic played a key role in shaping and executing the company’s financial strategy. His responsibilities included overseeing treasury operations, capital planning, financial forecasting, risk management, and corporate governance. He was also instrumental in recapitalizing the company and implementing initiatives designed to improve financial transparency, strengthen forecasting capabilities, and enhance decision-making processes across the organization.
His leadership contributed to the development of finance functions that supported both short-term operational objectives and long-term strategic goals. By focusing on governance, forecasting accuracy, and organizational alignment, Zuklic helped position CITGO to navigate a dynamic energy landscape while maintaining financial resilience.
A Career Built Across Major Energy Companies
Prior to his leadership role at CITGO, Zuklic spent a significant portion of his professional career with Phillips 66 and its predecessor company, ConocoPhillips. During his years with these organizations, he held a variety of increasingly senior positions that provided him with broad exposure to virtually every aspect of corporate finance and enterprise transformation.
His experience included responsibilities in treasury operations, risk management, corporate finance, strategic planning, and transformation initiatives. These assignments allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of how large-scale energy companies manage capital-intensive operations while balancing growth opportunities and shareholder expectations.
One of the defining moments in his career came after Phillips 66 was separated from ConocoPhillips as an independent company. Following the spinoff, Zuklic was appointed Vice President and Treasurer of Phillips 66, a role in which he oversaw the company’s global treasury activities.
In that capacity, he managed substantial investment portfolios, directed insurance and risk-management programs, and executed large-scale financing transactions designed to support business growth and operational stability. His work involved maintaining access to capital markets, optimizing liquidity, and ensuring the company’s financial flexibility during periods of market volatility.
Beyond treasury leadership, Zuklic also served as Vice President of ERP Transformation at Phillips 66. In that role, he oversaw the implementation of a next-generation enterprise resource planning system, a major initiative aimed at modernizing business processes and improving operational efficiency across the organization.
The project required extensive coordination among business units, technology teams, and executive leadership. It also demonstrated Zuklic’s ability to lead large-scale organizational transformation efforts that extend beyond traditional finance functions.
Supporting NextDecade’s Evolution
The timing of Zuklic’s appointment reflects NextDecade’s changing position within the LNG industry. Over the past several years, the company has focused heavily on developing LNG export infrastructure, securing commercial agreements, attracting investment, and advancing construction activities.
As those projects move closer to operational status, the company is entering a new phase that will require a different set of financial and operational capabilities. Managing operating assets, optimizing cash flows, overseeing long-term capital structures, and supporting future expansion projects will become increasingly important priorities.
The company believes Zuklic’s experience leading finance organizations within major energy companies makes him uniquely qualified to help guide this transition. His background in capital allocation, enterprise transformation, treasury management, and governance aligns closely with the challenges and opportunities associated with operating large-scale LNG infrastructure.
In announcing the appointment, NextDecade Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Schatzman emphasized the significance of adding an executive with Zuklic’s depth of experience.
According to Schatzman, Zuklic has demonstrated a strong ability to lead organizations through periods of growth and transformation while maintaining a disciplined focus on financial performance and operational excellence. He noted that NextDecade’s strategic priorities are evolving as the company prepares to become an LNG operating company, creating the need for experienced leadership capable of supporting long-term growth.
Schatzman expressed confidence that Zuklic’s expertise would strengthen the company’s leadership team and contribute to the successful execution of its business objectives.
Positioning for Long-Term Growth
The LNG industry continues to play a significant role in global energy markets, driven by growing demand for reliable energy supplies, energy security considerations, and the ongoing transition toward lower-emission fuel sources in many regions.
As one of the companies seeking to expand U.S. LNG export capacity, NextDecade is focused on building a business that can generate long-term value through both operational excellence and future development opportunities.
Financial leadership will remain a critical component of that strategy. Large-scale LNG projects require substantial capital investment, complex financing structures, rigorous risk management practices, and effective engagement with investors and other stakeholders.
By bringing in a finance executive with extensive experience across multiple segments of the energy industry, NextDecade aims to strengthen its ability to manage these challenges while positioning itself for sustainable growth.
With John Zuklic set to assume the Chief Financial Officer role in July 2026, the company enters its next chapter with a leadership team focused on transforming NextDecade from a project developer into a fully operational LNG enterprise. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to building the financial and organizational capabilities needed to support future expansion while delivering value to shareholders, customers, and stakeholders across the energy sector.
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