Pengrowth Energy Corp. (NYSE: PGH) said Feb. 20 it has appointed Peter Sametz as president, CEO and as a member of the board of directors effective March 15th, 2018.

Peter replaces Derek Evans who will be retiring as an officer and director of the company on March 14th, 2018. Derek will continue in a transitional advisory role reporting to the board chair until June 30th, 2018 to provide support during the leadership transition.

Pengrowth’s chairman of the board of directors Kel Johnston said Sametz’s “strategic knowledge of the current and emerging technologies available to enhance value on this world class asset at manageable capital levels provides tremendous opportunity” to the company.

“We wish Derek well in all his future endeavors’ and thank him for his leadership and his outstanding personal contribution in the transformation of Pengrowth from a legacy conventional producer with limited opportunities to a top quartile SAGD producer with over 30,000 [barrels per day] of future development opportunities,” Johnston added.

Sametz has over 35 years of experience in a variety of technical and leadership roles including in heavy oil, bitumen, SAGD, steam/power and the engineering, procurement and construction sectors.

Sametz, who holds a bachelor of engineering degree from Carleton University, has held various roles at numerous public and private companies and industry associations.