More Top Executives Leaving Chesapeake Energy

More top executives are leaving one of the city's – and state's – top employers. Chesapeake Energy announced on Monday that, as part of a reorganization of the oil and gas company's executive level leadership, four vice presidents are moving on "to pursue other opportunities."

The four employees are: Steve Dixon, Chief Operating Officer and executive vice president of operations and geosciences; Jeff Fisher, executive vice president of production; Steve Miller, senior vice president of drilling; and Martha Burger, senior vice president of human and corporate resources. The moves are effective immediately.

In a letter to employees, Chesapeake's new CEO, Doug Lawler, wrote, "This restructuring will position Chesapeake to be more competitive and focused, and it will further our strategies of financial discipline and profitable and efficient growth from captured resources."

The changes come two months after Lawler formally took the reins of Chesapeake, and four months since co-founder, and former CEO, Aubrey McClendon left the company. McClendon has since started a new oil and gas venture – American Energy Partners – headquartered less than a mile down the road from Chesapeake.

Lawler, in his email, thanked the four long-time employees for their years of service and dedication, and praised them for helping make Chesapeake the company that it is.

Full letter from Chesapeake's new CEO, Doug Lawler:

As part of Chesapeake's transformation to a top performing E&P company, I am reorganizing our executive level leadership structure. This restructuring will position Chesapeake to be more competitive and focused, and it will further our strategies of financial discipline and profitable and efficient growth from captured resources.

Accordingly, Steve Dixon, Jeff Fisher, Steve Miller and Martha Burger are leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. On behalf of the entire company, I want to express our gratitude to Steve, Jeff, Steve and Martha for their many years of service and dedication. Each of these executive leaders has contributed greatly to Chesapeake, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavors.

I have great confidence in the Operations, Drilling, and HR teams. I will continue to be directly engaged in each of these important areas, and I have appointed interim management responsibility as we move forward with our operational strategy shift.

Thank you for your continued focus and dedication. With your help, we will transform Chesapeake together.