Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. announces that Mr. Stephen C. Haynes has been elected as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer by the Board of Directors effective May 19, 2008. Previously, Mr. Haynes served as Chief Financial Officer for Cygnus Oil and Gas Corporation. Before joining Cygnus, Mr. Haynes was the Corporate Controller with Carrizo Oil and Gas. Over a 10 year period, he served in a series of increasingly responsible positions with British Gas, culminating in his appointments as Vice President-Finance of Atlantic LNG, a joint venture of British Gas and several industry partners in Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr. Haynes is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Sam Houston State University. He also attended the Executive Development Program at Harvard University.
Harvest also appointed Ms. Johnnye S. Yearwood as Controller. Since December 1993, Ms. Yearwood has served in several capacities at Harvest, most recently as Assistant Controller. Ms. Yearwood received a Bachelors of Science degree with emphasis in accounting from California State College in Bakersfield, California in 1982. Ms. Yearwood is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Haynes will replace Mr. Steven W. Tholen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who will retire effective May 31, 2008. Ms. Yearwood will replace Mr. Kurt A. Nelson, Vice President and Controller, who will also retire effective May 31, 2008. Mr. Haynes and Mr. Tholen will work together to insure an orderly transition of roles and responsibilities.
Harvest President and Chief Executive Officer, James A. Edmiston, said, "Both Steve and Kurt have made significant contributions to Harvest over the past several years. A solid foundation has been laid for Harvest under their leadership. Steve Haynes and Johnnye Yearwood will bring the skills and the experience to build on that foundation as we move into the future."
Harvest Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Steven W. Tholen, said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my seven years at Harvest. They have been both challenging and rewarding. Although it is difficult to leave the Harvest team, my wife and I are looking forward to a very active retirement."