Gaurdie E. Banister Jr.

Gaurdie Banister is a seasoned executive who as CEO of Aera Energy LLC, led one of the most successful and largest oil and gas ventures in the US. He is an experienced director with global leadership, strategic and operational expertise that is applicable to multiple markets. He has a strong governance background and has served as chair of different committees of public company boards.

Today, Gaurdie is the chairman of the compensation and leadership development committee at Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) and recently finished a 5 year term as lead director. He serves on the board of Dow, Inc (NYSE: DOW) and he recently became the lead director of Russell Reynolds Associates. He has served on the boards of Marathon Oil and the Bristow Group.

Gaurdie is also the founder and CEO of Different Points of View, a private firm that provides advisory services in the areas of leadership and safety. He also mentors and serves as an advisor to start ups in the energy and technology space. 

Gaurdie was president and CEO of Aera Energy LLC (a $5 bln oil and gas exploration and production company jointly owned by Shell Oil Company and ExxonMobil) from 27 to 215. Aera is one of the largest California and U.S. oil producers with production of over 13. barrels per day, operating over 14, wells and is a recognized leader for its innovative approach to lean manufacturing in an oil field setting.

Prior to Aera Energy, he served in executive level positions at Shell Oil as technical vice president Upstream Asia Pacific from 25 to 27 and Upstream Americas from 23 to 25 overseeing drilling and development activities.  From 21 to 23 he was vice president Business Development and Technology and from 1998 to 21 he served as president USA and executive vice president Shell Services EP Gas and Power. Gaurdie joined Shell in 198 as an offshore facilities engineer.

Gaurdie serves on the board of trustees of American University in Washington, DC, the foundation board of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and on the board of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation based in Bethesda, MD. 

Gaurdie holds a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and in 27 was presented an honorary doctorate degree. Banister also received an honorary doctorate degree in 22 from Fort Valley State University in Georgia.