Oklahoma City-Based SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE: SD) has announced changes in leadership within its executive management team:

  • David C. Lawler, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has resigned to take the position of chief executive officer at a Houston-based energy company. Lawler will remain engaged in his current role through September 3rd to ensure a smooth transition.
  • Craig A. Johnson, senior vice president of Development for Oklahoma, has been promoted to executive vice president of Operations.
  • The company has initiated a search for a new chief operating officer.

Johnson joined the company in July 2007 as vice president of Operations and has served as a senior vice president in operational roles since June 2011. Prior to joining SandRidge, he was operations manager for the Eastern Division of Samson Resources, having also served in various engineering and asset management positions in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent and Southeastern regions.

James D. Bennett, president and chief executive officer, commented, "Craig Johnson exemplifies the SandRidge culture of innovation, execution and investing in the success of our employees. Because of this, we have full confidence our operations teams will continue to successfully execute our capital programs, while improving our techniques and increasing our efficiencies. Craig will help guide our teams in these key areas and I look forward to working closely with him as he takes on additional responsibilities."