HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (“Cobalt”) (NYSE:CIE) today announced that Samuel H. Gillespie, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will retire from the Company effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Gillespie was an original co-founder of Cobalt in late 2005. Cobalt’s Board of Directors named Jeffrey A. Starzec, currently Cobalt’s Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, to succeed Mr. Gillespie as Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
Joseph H. Bryant, Cobalt Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “It has been my great pleasure to work with Sam as we built Cobalt from an idea in 2005 to the vibrant public company that it is today. Sam’s outstanding leadership, vision, integrity and industry knowledge will be greatly missed, and I wish Sam all the best in his retirement. I look forward to working with Jeff Starzec in his new role and am confident that Jeff’s transition will be a seamless one, given his close working relationship with Sam and myself over the past few years.”
Mr. Starzec has held the position of Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since joining Cobalt in June 2009. Prior to joining Cobalt, Mr. Starzec practiced corporate and securities law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Baker Botts LLP. Mr. Starzec holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Duke University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
About Cobalt
Cobalt is an independent oil exploration and production company focusing on the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Angola and Gabon. Cobalt was formed in 2005 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address Cobalt’s expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “will” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties, individuals should refer to Cobalt’s SEC filings. Cobalt undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.