ZaZa Energy Appoints Todd A. Brooks Chief Executive Officer

ZaZa Energy Corporation (“the Company” or “ZaZa”) (NASDAQ: ZAZA) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Executive Director and President Todd A. Brooks as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Craig M. McKenzie, effective immediately. Mr. Brooks is one of three founders of ZaZa Energy LLC, the predecessor of ZaZa Energy Corporation, and has served as an executive and director of ZaZa Energy since its combination with Toreador Resources Corporation in February 2012. Mr. McKenzie has also resigned from the ZaZa board of directors, effective immediately, in order to pursue other opportunities.

“On behalf of our Board, I would like to thank Craig for his leadership and dedication to Toreador and ZaZa,” said Herbert C. Williamson, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Craig was responsible for identifying the Paris Basin oil shale and had the foresight and acumen to execute a transformative merger with ZaZa Energy LLC. Everyone at ZaZa wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Mr. Brooks said: “It is an enormous privilege to take on this role at ZaZa. As I recently expressed following the close of the Hess transaction, this is an exciting time for the Company and our stockholders. I plan to work diligently with the Board and the management team to execute on our strategic initiatives and realize the full potential of this Company.”

Added Mr. Brooks, “ZaZa has an enviable portfolio of assets in the Eagle Ford and Woodbine/Eaglebine plays in Texas, which serve as a tremendous platform for future growth. Our first priority is to continue the work with our financial advisor, Jefferies and Company, to identify an appropriate joint venture partner as we extract value from our existing assets and continue to position the company to deliver long-term value for stockholders.”

Prior to ZaZa LLC, from 2006 until 2009, Mr. Brooks made energy-focused investments across multiple geographic regions. From 2004 until 2006, Mr. Brooks worked as a land man for Houston based OGM Land Company, where he delivered title work and negotiated oil & gas leases on behalf of OGM’s clients. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Brooks worked as a production analyst for L.J. Melody & Co., a boutique investment bank headquartered in Houston. Mr. Brooks graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1997 with a degree in Economics and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 2000.

1 2 Next › Last »