LOS ANGELES, May 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced today that former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, 52, was elected by the company's stockholders to its board of directors. Mr. Abraham joins 10 other independent, outside directors, and Dr. Ray R. Irani, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, who were reelected to the board.
Mr. Abraham served as Energy Secretary from 2001 until earlier this year. As Energy Secretary, he led the initiative that resulted in the development of the nation's first comprehensive energy plan in more than a decade, launched a series of energy technology initiatives, expanded nuclear non-proliferation programs with Russia, accelerated the environmental clean up of former weapons sites and undertook new initiatives to improve the safety of nuclear energy.
Prior to his appointment to head the U.S. Department of Energy, Mr. Abraham represented Michigan in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2001. He served on the Budget, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Judiciary and Small Business Committees. He also chaired two important sub-committees: Manufacturing and Competitiveness, and Immigration. Mr. Abraham is a graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Law School.