American Petroleum Institute honors retired Occidental CEO with distinguished achievement medal

The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently honored the three-decade career of Stephen Chazen, who retired earlier this year from his position as chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum, with its 2016 Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement.

Chazen's early career included a tenure at Merrill Lynch, where he served as managing director in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions before he joined Occidental Petroleum. Beginning his time with the company in 1994 as executive vice president-corporate development, he quickly moved through the company’s ranks, serving as chief financial officer and executive vice president-corporate development from 1999 to 2004 and chief financial officer and senior executive vice president from 2004 to 2007. In 2007, he earned a promotion to president while continuing to serve as chief financial officer and served as chief operating officer from 2010 to 2011.

Chazen’s time at Occidental Petroleum saw the company’s reputation build into that of an innovative, socially responsible business and saw the company transform into a major oil and gas company in part due to the acquisition and divestiture strategy recommended by Chazen.

"Steve Chazen is an exceptional leader in the U.S. oil and natural gas industry," API President and CEO Jack Gerard said. "His passion, integrity and advocacy have been a positive force in helping shape America’s 21st century energy renaissance.”