Preng & Associates Assists Jadestone Energy with CEO Search
June 3, 2025 – Houston-based Preng & Associates has helped to recruit Mitchell Little as the new CEO of Jadestone Energy in Singapore. “We are very pleased that Mitch is joining Jadestone as CEO,” said Adel Chaouch, executive chairman of Jadestone. “He brings significant upstream operational and management experience from over three decades in the oil and gas industry with Marathon. His in-depth operational and technical knowledge across many jurisdictions, particularly in mature asset management, will be of particular benefit to Jadestone, as we seek to maximize the value of our existing operated positions in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia and pursue further growth in these core areas. On behalf of everyone at Jadestone, we welcome Mitch to the business, and I look forward to working with him to execute our strategic aim to be the leading upstream independent in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Mr. Little has over 30 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, the majority of which was with Marathon Oil Company from 1987 to 2020 in various technical, supervisory and senior management positions.
Prior to leaving Marathon, Mr. Little was executive vice president of operations, where he held full responsibility for all of Marathon’s operations and development activities across U.S. unconventional and international operations, including health and safety and global supply chain functions. He was also a member of Marathon’s executive committee. His technical assignments included roles in operations, reservoir management and drilling throughout the U.S., offshore Norway, West Africa, North Africa, and Indonesia. Mr. Little also brings to Jadestone relevant industry expertise in his current role as board director of Helix Energy Solutions, a NYSE-listed international offshore energy services company that specializes in maximizing the output of existing oil and gas fields.
In his new role, Mr. Little will be responsible for the delivery of Jadestone’s existing strategy, with the Group aiming to become the leading upstream independent in the Asia-Pacific region through both organic and inorganic growth.
“Jadestone has a very attractive platform of operated upstream positions in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Mr. Little. “This dynamic region will be at the forefront of global energy demand growth for the foreseeable future, and I’m confident that Jadestone is well positioned to contribute meaningfully to meeting the region’s oil and gas demand growth in a safe and responsible manner. I’m excited to relocate to the region and honored to be joining the company at this stage of its development, as we work together to deliver on Jadestone’s compelling strategy.”
Jadestone Energy is an independent upstream company focused on the Asia-Pacific region. It has a balanced and increasingly diversified portfolio of production and development assets in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, all stable jurisdictions with a positive upstream investment climate. The company is pursuing a strategy to grow and diversify the company’s production base both organically, through developments such as Nam Du/U Minh in Vietnam and the Puteri Cluster offshore Malaysia, as well as through acquisitions that fit within Jadestone’s financial framework and play to the company’s strengths in managing maturing oil assets.
Related: Preng & Associates Recruits CEO for Kimmeridge Texas Gas
Preng & Associates, founded in 1980, is the only retainer-based, international executive search firm specializing solely in the energy industry. The firm’s experience spans the entire energy value chain – from the well head to the wall socket. Its subsector verticals have specific expertise in oil and gas (upstream, midstream, and downstream), oilfield equipment and services, power and utilities, renewables, engineering and construction, and industrials. Preng & Associates has conducted more than 4,000 engagements for over 900 companies and placed individuals for board, executive management, and professional positions in 92 countries.
Key Energy Services Search
Preng & Associates recently assisted in the recruitment of Robert J. Mackenzie as senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of Key Energy Services. Mr. Mackenzie brings a proven track record of strategic financial planning, operational excellence, and leadership across both corporate finance and capital markets. Most recently serving as director of financial planning and analysis at RPC Inc., he was instrumental in transforming the company’s forecasting models, leading cross-functional planning initiatives, and supporting M&A activity, including the successful due diligence and integration of the Spinnaker Cementing acquisition. His ability to align financial strategies with business goals has made a lasting impact on organizational performance.
Headquartered in Houston, TX, Key Energy Services provides a wide array of leading edge energy production solutions and services. Through its highly trained and experienced crews, technical expertise, state-of-the-art data analytics, and fit for purpose equipment, they enable America’s E&P companies, from small independents to majors, get the most out of the life of their wells.
Related: Preng & Associates Fills Senior Positions for Ring Energy
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
