clifford foss

Hi Everyone:

During TXN's transition point (Eagle Ford sale), I thought it might be valuable to know more about Clifford Foss, TXN's CEO since Nov11. TXN's announcements speak highly of his experience as senior VP at Petrohawk, but that's about all. So, I did some hunting through newspaper and publication databases.

Foss joined Petrohawk in 2006, when it acquired KCS Energy (for $1.8 billion), where Foss had been a senior VP. I found one earnings call in 2005 where Foss gave details about KCS's progress, but no other mention of Foss in the news in his roles at KCS. I also found a 1996 article (O&G Investor, Nov96) saying that Foss spent 22 years at Cockrell Oil & Gas (now part of Chevron through Union Oil?), then moved to Barrett Resources in 1996, where he served as Barrett's Gulf Coast general manager and VP. These bits of info do confirm Foss's extensive oil and gas experience in Louisiana and Texas.

One curious discovery: in early 2008, Foss formed Force 5 Energy, a private Houston company, with former KCS Energy managers (e.g. VanNatta, Hamilton, Travillo). Force 5 apparently received a $100-million equity commitment from EnCap Investments and others at that time. But I can't find any info about Force 5's discoveries, and nothing at all about the company after February 2011. However, Force 5 Energy is currently listed in the Yellow Pages.

I had assumed from TXN announcements that Foss was Senior VP at Petrohawk through to BHP's acquisition in 2011. Instead, did Foss leave soon after the KCS acquisition in 2006 to form Force 5? Is he currently head of Force 5 as well as TXN?

In short, Foss seems to have extensive experience, has worked at very successful companies (KCS), and tends to be low key. But there are also some missing pieces that would be nice to fill in. Anyone have these details (e.g. Force 5 Energy, Foss's employment/role at Petrohawk)?