Pantheon Resources PLC (AIM:PANR, OTCQX:PTHRF) has confirmed that Max Easley has taken up his position as chief executive officer earlier than expected, effective 21 February.
David Hobbs will now be Pantheon's non-executive chair, rather than the executive chair.
Easley was originally due to start as CEO next week, on February 28.
The management change was announced last week, as was a $35 million convertible bond fundraising. Jay Cheatham is expected to continue with the company as a non-executive director for a handover period.
Focussed on its high-potential assets in Alaska, Pantheon is expected to shift from an exploration to a development and production company.
Easley brings to the company his experience gained in executive roles at BP Alaska, Apache Corporation and Petronas Canada as part of his 30 years of oil and natural gas industry experience.
His appointment is also seen as part of Pantheon’s preparations for a listing in the United States.
Hobbs, last week, highlighted that Easley's decades of experience, especially on Alaska's North Slope and successful Permian and Montney developments, would be of great benefit to the company.
"This deep industry expertise, coupled with his strategic judgment and performance track record make him the ideal candidate to execute upon Pantheon's strategy," Hobbs added.