Lamar McKay has been appointed chairman and president of BP America, Inc. and will serve as BP's chief representative in the United States.

He will succeed Bob Malone who has elected to retire after 34 years with the company.

Commenting on the change, BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward said: "Bob Malone has made an extraordinary difference during his tenure at BP America and during his long career with BP. We are a better company because of his ability to connect with the men and women who operate and maintain our facilities and his unflagging commitment to safe operations. All of us at BP appreciate what he has done and wish him well in his next endeavours."

Mr. McKay, a member of the BP p.l.c. Executive Management Team, has led the company's Special Projects Team since early 2008. In that capacity, he played a major role in establishing a new governance model for TNK-BP, BP's Russian joint venture. Prior to that assignment, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for BP America and brings deep knowledge of BP's US operations to his new position.

Mr. McKay joined Amoco Production Company as a petroleum engineer in 1980 and later served in a variety of operating and commercial roles. During his career he has led upstream production businesses in the Arkoma Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. After working on the BP-Amoco merger, he led BP's worldwide exploration and production strategy efforts followed by a posting as chief of staff for the company's global exploration and production business.

Prior to his first assignment with BP America, he served as group vice president for Russia and Kazakhstan.

Mr. McKay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering from Mississippi State University. He and his wife Nancy will be based in Houston, where BP business units are involved in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, chemicals, supply and trading, pipeline operations, shipping, and alternative energy.

Houston is home to nearly 7,000 BP employees.

Tags: BP America Inc.