Vess Oil Corp. (NYSE: VOC) appointed Ronnie Nutt its chief operating officer Jan. 8, the company said.

"Ronnie's competent leadership has been critical to the management of our existing asset base and expansion of our Woodbine position in Texas. Congratulations to Ronnie on his well-deserved advancement," CEO Barry Hill said.

Nutt had been the company's senior vice president of operations, engineering and business development since Oct. 2012, Vess said.

"I appreciate the company's confidence in me," Nutt said, adding, "I look forward to the challenges and opportunities in the future."

Vess Oil Corp., based in Wichita, Kansas, is an independent oil and gas acquisition, exploration and development company. It operates in Kansas, Texas, Montana and Oklahoma.