LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ray R. Irani, announced today that Dr. Lawrence P. Meriage will retire later this year upon completion of 27 years of service. Commenting on Dr. Meriage's planned retirement, Dr. Irani said, "Occidental has been fortunate to have an executive with Larry's expertise in communications and public affairs on our management team. His contributions to our success over the years are greatly appreciated."
Dr. Irani also announced that Occidental Petroleum Corporation's Board of Directors today elected Richard S. Kline as Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, effective immediately.
Kline joins Occidental from Fleishman-Hillard Communications where he served as Regional President and Senior Partner. He previously served as President of Shandwick USA, and Chief Operating Officer of Golin/Harris Communications, responsible for the public relations programs of several major corporations. Earlier in his career, he served as chief communications officer for Union Federal Savings and Loan Association and as a communications officer for Great Western Savings and Loan Association. Kline has a bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, National Investor Relations Institute, and the Public Relations Society of America.