AUSTIN – Commissioner Christi Craddick today voted to appoint Kimberly Corley executive director of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Corley brings to the Commission more than 30 years of technical, policy and strategic expertise in oil and gas and pipeline operations.

Commissioner Craddick said, “Kim has spent her entire career focused on safe, responsible development of our energy resources, and we’re pleased she will continue that critical work for the people of Texas. Her breadth and depth of experience will provide a fresh perspective to the agency that will help ensure the Railroad Commission remains the global leader in energy regulation.”

Corley retired from the Shell Oil Company earlier this year, where she held several executive leadership positions, most recently as Business Development Manager for Gas Monetization and General Manager of Construction Risk Mitigation and Workforce Development for Shell Upstream Americas. Previously, she served in various executive leadership roles within Shell Oil. Before joining Shell Oil, Corley held various executive and leadership positions with oil and gas and pipeline companies, including Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, El Paso Corporation and Tenneco Energy.

“Having spent my entire professional career in the energy industry, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to use my experience and expertise in service to the people of Texas,” said Corley. “Texas is a world leader in energy production, and the Railroad Commission is widely recognized as a global leader in energy regulation. I look forward to working with the Commissioners and the nearly 800 men and women of the Commission to ensure we are protecting public safety and our natural resources by maintaining a fair and stable regulatory environment in which the industry operates, safely, responsibly and successfully.”

Corley earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and Masters of Liberal Studies with concentration in Environmental Science and Policy from Rice University. She has also served on several professional boards, including Chair of the North American Carbon Capture and Storage Association, National Center for Construction Education & Research, Texas Oil and Gas Association and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership.

As executive director, Corley will earn an annual salary of $180,000. She will join the Commission early in 2016.