Sempra Energy forms North American Infrastructure Group

In the statement, Carlos Ruiz Sacristán has also been named Chairman and CEO of the group. Ruiz has served as Chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy's Mexican operating subsidiary, Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova), since 2012.

Ruiz and the new Sempra North American Infrastructure group will report to Joseph A. Householder, the President and COO of Sempra Energy. The group will encompass Sempra Energy's Mexican operations contained within IEnova, Sempra LNG & Midstream's existing operations, including Cameron LNG and all other LNG development and marketing activities.

As part of his new role, Sempra Energy claims that Ruiz will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board of directors of IEnova.

Jeffrey W. Martin, CEO of Sempra Energy, said: “Carlos Ruiz has overseen exceptional growth at IEnova, including its successful initial public offering in Mexico in 2013.

“This new streamlined organisational structure will better align our non-utility operations to serve our global customers, and develop and execute projects even more effectively.”

Ruiz added: “I'm honoured and excited to serve in this new role at Sempra Energy and to continue my close involvement with IEnova.

“We've built a strong and deep leadership team at IEnova and I will be devoting my full attention to growing Sempra Energy's North American infrastructure business.”

Ruiz previously served as a member of Sempra Energy's board of directors from 2007 to 2012, when he became chairman and CEO of IEnova. In addition to this, he served as Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation during the administration of Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León from 1994 to 2000. Prior to that, he served in a number of positions at the Central Bank (Banco de Mexico) from 1974 to 1988, the Ministry of Finance from 1988 to 1992, and Petróleos Mexicanos in 1994. At present, he is a member of the board of directors of Southern Copper Corp, Banco Ve por Más, S.A de C.V., Grupo Creatica, S.A. de C.V., member of the Technical Committee of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museum and a member of the Technical Committee Trust of Museo Nacional de Energía y Tecnología.

Ruiz has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Anahuac University in Mexico City, as well as a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University in Chicago. In the statement, Sempra Energy claims that Tania Ortiz Mena will succeed Ruiz as CEO of IEnova, effective 1 September. Ortiz will report to Ruiz and will be nominated to serve on IEnova's board of directors. Ortiz has served as IEnova's chief development officer since 2014 and has held various leadership positions with IEnova since originally joining the company in 2000, including vice president for business development and external affairs, vice president of external affairs and director for government and regulatory affairs. Previously, Ortiz worked for PMI, Pemex's international trading subsidiary.

According to the statement, Ortiz is a board member of Oncor Electric Delivery Co. and the Mexican Natural Gas Association, as well as vice president of the board for the World Energy Council – Mexico Chapter, member of the Energy Regulatory Commission Advisory Board and member of the Mexican Council for International Relations.

Octávio M. Simões, meanwhile, who currently serves as President of Sempra LNG & Midstream, has been promoted to President and CEO of that company, reporting to Ruiz. Simões and his team will be responsible for maximising the value of the company’s LNG opportunities. In addition to this, he will also continue in his role as Chairman of Cameron LNG, LLC., a joint venture (JV) which Sempra owns a 50% stake in. He has served as President of Sempra LNG & Midstream since 2012. Before that, he served as vice president of commercial development for Sempra LNG, where he was responsible for marketing the capacity of LNG receipt terminals, developing LNG facilities, securing LNG supply, securing shipping and acquiring equity positions in liquefaction plants. Previously, Simões served as vice president of asset management and vice president of planning and analysis for Sempra Generation, and in senior positions with Earth Tech and NEERI.

Justin C. Bird, who currently serves as vice president of gas infrastructure and special counsel for Sempra Energy, has been named chief development officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group. In his new role reporting to Ruiz, Bird will be responsible for activities related to project development for all current and future LNG and midstream projects.

In the statement, Amy Chiu, vice president of asset management for Sempra LNG & Midstream, has been appointed chief asset management officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group. Chiu will reportedly be responsible for overseeing Cameron LNG joint-venture management, Energía Costa Azul joint-venture management and LNG operations.

Kathryn J. Collier, meanwhile, vice president and treasurer for Sempra Energy, has been named chief financial officer and chief administrative officer for the Sempra North American Infrastructure group. In this new role, she will be responsible for overseeing accounting, economic and financial modelling, as well as human resources, information technology and procurement for the new operating group.

All of the organisational changes described in this statement are effective 25 August, unless noted otherwise.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/13082018/sempra-energy-forms-north-american-infrastructure-group/