Railroad Commissioners Appoint New Executive Director for Agency

Veteran Oil and Gas Executive Kimberly Corley to Lead Commission Operations

AUSTIN – Chairman David Porter and Commissioners Christi Craddick and Ryan Sitton today voted unanimously to appoint Kimberly Corley executive director of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Corley brings to the Commission more than 30 years of technical, policy and strategic expertise in oil and gas and pipeline operations. 

Chairman Porter said, “After conducting a nationwide search, I am excited that we have found such an exceptional candidate to direct the operations of this important agency. Ms. Corley’s technical expertise, executive experience and industry knowledge will be incredibly valuable assets to the Commission, and I am confident that she will be an excellent leader. I look forward to working with her over the next year, as we continue to safely, efficiently and economically regulate the industries that serve as the backbone of the Texas economy.” 

Commissioner Craddick said, “Kim has spent her entire career focused on safe, responsible development of our energy resources, and we’re pleased she will continue that critical work for the people of Texas. Her breadth and depth of experience will provide a fresh perspective to the agency that will help ensure the Railroad Commission remains the global leader in energy regulation.” 

Commissioner Sitton said, “Kim Corley is going to be an outstanding Railroad Commission Executive Director.  Even though commodity prices are down, future opportunities in Texas oil and gas development are going to continue to be a vital part of our economy.  Kim’s experience in large scale capital development is a perfect fit.  Her industry and management experience are going to be a tremendous asset to the commission and to the people of the state of Texas.”   

Corley retired from the Shell Oil Company earlier this year, where she held several executive leadership positions, most recently as Business Development Manager for Gas Monetization and General Manager of Construction Risk Mitigation and Workforce Development for Shell Upstream Americas. Previously, she served in various executive leadership roles within Shell Oil. Before joining Shell Oil, Corley held various executive and leadership positions with oil and gas and pipeline companies, including Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, El Paso Corporation and Tenneco Energy. 

“Having spent my entire professional career in the energy industry, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to use my experience and expertise in service to the people of Texas,” said Corley. “Texas is a world leader in energy production, and the Railroad Commission is widely recognized as a global leader in energy regulation. I look forward to working with the Commissioners and the nearly 800 men and women of the Commission to ensure we are protecting public safety and our natural resources by maintaining a fair and stable regulatory environment in which the industry operates, safely, responsibly and successfully.” 

Corley earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and Masters of Liberal Studies with concentration in Environmental Science and Policy from Rice University. She has also served on several professional boards, including Chair of the North American Carbon Capture and Storage Association, National Center for Construction Education & Research, Texas Oil and Gas Association and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership. 

As executive director, Corley will earn an annual salary of $180,000. She will join the Commission early in 2016.