Hart Energy Promotes Two Key Executives

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Oct 14, 2011, 10:26 ET

HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hart Energy Board of Directors today made two significant promotions within the Company's management team. President and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Eichler was elected Vice Chairman and CEO. At the same time, the Board elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Higgins to President and Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for all operating and staff functions.

The moves were made to position Hart Energy for continued growth, both domestically and internationally. Both promotions are effective immediately.

"The significant growth of our company has brought added complexity over the past several years," noted the Company's Chairman, George A. Wiegers. "These changes will free-up Rich for the critical role overseeing corporate development worldwide. We are hopeful this organizational change will allow Hart to continue aggressive expansion of its business to new markets."

Rich Eichler joined Hart Energy more than 25 years ago and has served as its President since 1999. He was responsible for the successful management buyout of Hart Energy Publishing from Chemical Week Associates/VSS Communication Partners in 2004. He serves on boards of numerous energy industry associations and is vice-chairman of marketing for the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Kevin Higgins joined Hart Energy as Chief Financial Officer during the 2004 buyout from Chemical Week, where he had served as CFO since 1992. He has been responsible for all aspects of Hart Energy's financial, IT and human resources operations. He graduated from Hofstra University in 1984, obtained his CPA certificate in 1986 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

For more than 30 years, Hart Energy has been the leader in covering energy news and technology for investors and energy industry executives. The Houston-based Company provides subscriber-only online information services (OilandGasInvestor.com, A-Dcenter.com, UGcenter.com, MidstreamBusiness.com), publishes industry magazines (Oil and Gas Investor, E&P, Midstream Business, FUEL), and produces high-level conferences and energy newsletters, notably the DUG™ (Developing Unconventional Gas) and DUO™ conferences, among others. Its research arm published the first Global Shale Gas Study in February and its Global Shale Oil Study will be published this fall.