Hercules Offshore Announces Executive Management Promotions

HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hercules Offshore, Inc. (Nasdaq: HERO) announced the appointment of Stephen M. Butz to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Troy L. Carson to Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, Terrell L. Carr to Senior Vice President, Worldwide Drilling Operations, Todd A. Pellegrin to Senior Vice President, Worldwide Liftboat Operations, W. Brad James to Senior Vice President, Marketing, and Richard E. McClaine to Senior Vice President, Quality, Health, Safety and Environment. 

Mr. Butz initially joined the company in February 2005 and served as the Director of Corporate Development at the time of the company's initial public offering. He was appointed Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of the company in October 2006, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in May 2010. Prior to joining Hercules Offshore, Mr. Butz served as a consultant to Noble Corporation, an international offshore drilling contractor. Mr. Butz also previously served in a variety of roles in both investment and commercial banking at institutions including Deutsche Bank, Jefferies & Company and First Interstate Bank.

Mr. Carson has served as the Company's Chief Accounting Officer since May 2010. He joined the Company as Vice President and Corporate Controller in March 2007 and was named Principal Accounting Officer in July 2008.  Prior to joining Hercules Offshore, Mr. Carson served in a variety of roles, including as the Assistant Corporate Controller at Weatherford International Ltd., an international oilfield services company.  Mr. Carson is a certified public accountant with prior experience at a global public accounting firm.

Mr. Carr has served as the Company's Vice President of Worldwide Operations since January 2007. From 2006 to January 2007, Mr. Carr served as Manager, Operations for the Asia Pacific Region of ENSCO International Incorporated and from 2001-2006, he served as a Rig Manager and Country Manager in various international locations for Ensco International Incorporated. Prior to joining ENSCO, from 1982 to 2001, Mr. Carr was employed by Reading & Bates Corporation (later R&B Falcon Corporation) in various key international operations and marketing roles.

Mr. Pellegrin has served as Vice President of Worldwide Liftboat Operations since December 2008. From June 2008 to December 2008, Mr. Pellegrin served as Vice President of International Liftboats. From July 2007 to June 2008, Mr. Pellegrin served as the Managing Director for the West Africa Region. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Pellegrin held the position of Managing Director of Hercules Offshore Nigeria from March 2006 to July 2007. Mr. Pellegrin was the Managing Director of Danos & Curole Nigeria, Ltd. from January 2004 to February 2006. From August 1998 to December 2003, he served in several capacities for Danos & Curole, including as International Business Development Representative.

Mr. James was named Vice President of Marketing in July 2007 following the Company's acquisition of TODCO, where he held the same position. Previously, he held several positions at Transocean Inc., the most recent as Marketing Manager North America. Prior to joining Transocean Inc., Mr. James held various domestic and international marketing and management positions over the course of 20 years for R&B Falcon Corporation, Cliffs Drilling Company and other privately held drilling companies.

Mr. McClaine was appointed Vice President Health, Safety and Environment of Hercules Offshore in September 2006.  Mr. McClaine's previous experience includes more than 25 years in the oil and gas industry with increasing responsibilities, culminating in his role as Vice President, Safety, Training and Environmental Affairs at GlobalSantaFe. Immediately prior to joining the Company, he worked with Syntex Management Systems.

John Rynd, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, stated, "Stephen, Troy, Terry, Todd, Brad and Rick bring substantial industry experience and a proven track record in managing our business in a dynamic and often challenging environment. They have been instrumental in developing and executing the Company's strategy and have made significant contributions to our growth and success. I am very excited to announce these promotions and look forward to their continuing contribution to the success of our company in their new positions."

Headquartered in Houston, Hercules Offshore, Inc. operates a fleet of 37 jackup rigs, 14 barge rigs and 63 liftboats. The Company offers a range of services to oil and gas producers to meet their needs during drilling, well service, platform inspection, maintenance, and decommissioning operations in several key shallow water provinces around the world. Hercules Offshore currently holds 32.1% of share capital in Discovery Offshore S.A., a pure play, ultra-high specification jackup rig company.  For more information, please visit our website at http://www.herculesoffshore.com.

SOURCE Hercules Offshore, Inc.