SAN RAMON, Calif., June 5 -- John Bethancourt, currently ChevronTexaco (NYSE: CVX) vice president of Human Resources, has been named executive vice president in charge of technology and services, effective July 1, the company announced today. Bethancourt replaces Darry Callahan, currently executive vice president of power, chemicals and technology, who will be retiring on June 30.

In his new role, Bethancourt will continue to be the reporting officer for Health, Environment and Safety, and will become the reporting officer for project resources, additives and coal operations. Don Paul, vice president and chief technology officer, will report to Bethancourt on matters involving information technology, upstream and downstream technology, and technology ventures.

"This position covers a wide range of responsibilities, from ensuring the health and safety of our employees and protecting the environment, to overseeing the development of new and innovative technologies," said Dave O'Reilly, ChevronTexaco chairman and chief executive officer. "John's demonstrated leadership skills and knowledge of the industry make him the right person at the right time to meet the challenges of this position."

In 1974, Bethancourt joined Getty Oil Company as a field engineer in Kilgore, Texas, and subsequently held a series of engineering and management positions with increasing responsibility. He joined Texaco when it merged with Getty Oil in 1984, and was appointed area manager of South Texas in Texaco U.S.A.'s producing operation. In 1989, he was appointed assistant division manager of the Midland Producing Division in Midland, Texas.

In 1991, Bethancourt was named assistant to management in the office of the president and chief executive officer in Texaco's headquarters in White Plains, N.Y. He joined the Middle East/Far East Division in 1993 as managing director of business development and then was named regional director of China operations. In 1996, Bethancourt was appointed to the position of vice president of business development for Texaco's international downstream businesses.

Bethancourt relocated to Houston, Texas, in 1998 after being named vice president of corporate development. He was responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities and handling Texaco's exploration and production transaction activities including acquisitions and mergers, trades and divestitures.

In 2000, Bethancourt was named vice president of Texaco Inc. and president of Texaco's worldwide production operations. He assumed his current position upon the formation of ChevronTexaco Corp. in Oct. 2001.

He is a native of Dallas and received a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering in 1974 from Texas A&M University. Bethancourt is a member of the board of directors of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc., and the petroleum advisory board at Texas A&M University.

SOURCE ChevronTexaco Corp.