Montney producer Birchcliff sees leadership transition

Montney producer Birchcliff Energy said October 4 its co-founder and CEO, Jeff Tonken, will retire December 31, 2023, to be replaced by Chris Carlsen, the company’s president and chief operating officer.

Tonken will remain as chair of Birchcliff’s board of directors.

“As one of the founders of Birchcliff, Jeff helped to create and build a resilient, dividend-paying company producing over 77,000 boe/d,” said Dennis Dawson, Birchcliff’s independent lead director. “In addition to delivering significant shareholder value throughout the company’s 19-year history, Jeff has been instrumental in creating a culture at Birchcliff that has always been focused on its people, the communities where we operate and environmental stewardship, which we fully expect will continue under Chris’ leadership.”

As part of Birchcliff’s leadership succession process, Myles Bosman, executive vice-president, exploration and David Humphreys, executive vice-president, operations, have also chosen to retire effective December 31, 2023. Both will stay on for a period of time as executive advisors to ensure an orderly transition.

Theo van der Werken, currently vice-president, engineering, will become chief operating officer effective January 1, 2024, succeeding Carlsen, while Duane Thompson, Birchcliff’s production manager, will become vice-president, operations also effective January 1, 2024.