VAALCO Energy Inc. appointed Steven J. Pully to its board of directors, the company said Aug. 3. The appointment became effective July 31.

Pully will stand for re-election at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.

Pully has more than 25 years’ experience in capital markets, finance, investing and legal matters. He also has served on 12 boards, including EPL Oil & Gas Inc., where he was the lead independent director at the time of that company's sale. Pully is currently on the board of Calgary, Alberta-based Bellatrix Exploration.

Pully was general counsel and partner at investment firm Carlson Capital LP where he worked from 2008 to 2014.

Previously, Pully was an investment banker, and was a managing director in Bank of America’s energy and power investment banking division and a senior managing director in Bear Sterns & Co.’s natural resources investment banking department. He began his career as an attorney at Baker Botts LLP in Houston.

"I believe VAALCO has a very attractive portfolio of assets with good future potential along with a management team with a proven track record of successfully exploiting and developing international energy assets. I am excited to join the board of directors. In particular, I look forward to leveraging my experiences to assist VAALCO in navigating through the current difficult market, growing the company, and building shareholder value," Pully said.

Pully has a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from The University of Texas. He is also a chartered financial analyst, a certified public accountant and a member of the State Bar of Texas.

VAALCO Energy Inc. is based in Houston and operates in Africa.