Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) appointed Roger B. Plank to its board of directors. James Kent Wells will be appointed to the board effective Aug. 1, the company added July 28. Newfield’s board will then have 10 directors, nine of whom are independent.

Plank is the former president and chief corporate officer of Apache Corp. (APA). Wells is the former CEO of Fidelity Exploration & Production Co., Newfield said.

Plank is a partner with private investment company Indian Creek Holdings. He has about 35 years’ experience in industry, and retired as president and chief corporate officer of Apache in 2014 after 32 years with the company, Newfield said.

He handled strategic planning, finance and accounting, business development, oil and gas marketing, investor relations, public and governmental affairs, corporate governance, tax and internal audit.

Over the years Plank was president and principal financial officer, executive vice president and CFO. He began his career at Apache in 1981.

Plank holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and a master’s of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. He is on the board of Parker Drilling Co., and is presiding director. Plank also is part of Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Newfield said.

Wells has more than 35 years’ experience in the industry, serving 32 years with Amoco and BP Plc (BP). He retired earlier this year from Fidelity Exploration & Production Co., where he had been CEO and vice chairman of parent company MDU Resources. Wells joined Fidelity and MDU in 2011.

While at Amoco/BP, he had been senior vice president-E&P North America Gas, for BP America. He also had been general manager- Abu Dhabi Co., for onshore oil operations. He also had been vice president- Gulf of Mexico Shelf for BP America and vice president- Rockies. Wells began his career as a petroleum engineer with Amoco Canada Pet. Co. in 1979.

Wells holds a bachelor’s degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He formerly served on the boards of Fidelity and MDU.

Lee K. Boothby, Newfield’s chairman, president and CEO, said both men’s experience in North America will benefit Newfield’s focus on its growing domestic resource plays.

Newfield Exploration Co. is based in The Woodlands, Texas.