Expand Energy names Daniel Brown president, CEO

Expand Energy Corp. has appointed Daniel E. Brown president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 26, as the company positions itself to capitalize on growing demand for natural gas from LNG exports, power generation and industrial development.

Daniel E. Brown

Brown will also join Expand Energy’s board of directors. Michael A. Wichterich, who has served as interim president and CEO since February, will return to his role as non-executive chairman.

Brown joins Expand Energy from Chord Energy, where he served as president, CEO and a member of the board of directors. During his tenure, Chord completed a strategic portfolio transformation aimed at strengthening the company’s operations and creating shareholder value.

Before joining Chord, Brown spent nearly 20 years with Anadarko Petroleum, holding leadership positions in international and deepwater development, as well as U.S. onshore operations. His experience spans upstream and midstream activities.

“Danny is the right leader at the right time to help Expand Energy deliver on its vast potential,” Wichterich said. “The Board looks forward to him leading the next phase of Expand Energy’s journey, building on the strong foundation created by the talented people across our organization.”

The appointment follows a board-led search that considered internal and external candidates.

Natural gas demand drives growth opportunities

Headquartered in Spring, Texas, Expand Energy is North America’s largest natural gas producer and marketer, with operations and commercial activities serving customers across the United States and Canada.

Brown said the company’s production assets and commercial platform provide opportunities to serve expanding natural gas markets.

“LNG exports, growing power demand and new industrial investment are creating a greater need for reliable energy, and Expand Energy is uniquely positioned with the resources and capabilities to meet that need,” Brown said.

He added that his priority will be translating the company’s operating scale and commercial capabilities into sustained financial and operational performance.

The leadership transition comes as increasing LNG export capacity and rising electricity consumption are expected to support demand for U.S. natural gas, creating opportunities for producers and the midstream infrastructure needed to transport gas to domestic and international markets.

The appointment also follows Expand Energy’s September acquisition of Twin Eagle, a natural gas marketing and logistics business. The transaction expanded Expand Energy’s commercial capabilities and strengthened its position as an integrated natural gas supplier, connecting upstream production with domestic and LNG-related markets.

Expand Energy was formed in 2024 through the combination of Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy. The company subsequently relocated its headquarters from Oklahoma City to the Houston area in 2026