OFS Portal Names Chris Welsh CEO

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Mar 17, 2015) - The Board of OFS Portal, LLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Christian "Chris" Welsh as CEO, effective 23 March 2015. William Le Sage has been appointed Chairman Emeritus.

Chris has been a key player in oil & gas eCommerce since 1995 and succeeds William "Bill" Le Sage, who has led the firm with distinction for 14 years. Bill was OFS Portal's first CEO, expanded its community to over 200 oil & gas operators and oversaw the expansion of upstream eCommerce to a global phenomenon.

Announcing Chris's appointment, William Le Sage said: "Chris is an exceptional leader; he is a highly impressive talent known for his collaborative style and for building high performance solutions. I speak for my fellow board members, when I say how pleased we are that Chris has agreed to assume this leadership position."

Commenting on Chris's appointment, Ed Will, OFS Portal Board member and Vice President, Cameron International Corporation, who led the Board search process, said: "Chris is very talented. I am personally delighted to see him take this role. His experience allows him to rapidly assume the diverse responsibilities and I am confident he will be an outstanding leader."

Reflecting on his appointment, Chris said: "I am honored and excited to have been selected to lead this outstanding group of upstream oil and gas industry strategic suppliers. OFS Portal is at a very interesting inflection point as it is increasing its emphasis on National Oil Companies to help them facilitate and accelerate their capabilities in eCommerce.

"I am determined to continue OFS Portal's momentum based on our unique position in the market, which has resonated strongly with oil & gas operators. I see OFS Portal's leadership role in the industry increasing, with extended capabilities to solve increasingly complex problems facing our industry."

After a strong career in the UK defense industry, Chris joined Baker Hughes in 1995 with increasing responsibilities. His international experience started in 2000, where Chris was a senior member of the marketing team at the company's headquarters in Houston, defining and implementing a global B2B strategy. Within his responsibilities, he worked with OFS Portal and was Vice Chair of PIDX, the industry's eCommerce standards body. In 2006, he was a co-founder of what became ACT Global Consulting, a firm which directly helps oil and gas companies become eCommerce capable by implementing best practices.

Chris was born and educated in the UK and will reside in Houston with his wife, Sonya.

About OFS Portal, LLC

Headquartered in Houston, OFS Portal, LLC (www.ofs-portal.com) is a global member-based group of upstream oil and gas suppliers and service providers at the forefront of oilfield eCommerce. With eCommerce focused on helping buyers to digitize their supply chain, OFS Portal promotes cost-effective approaches to make eCommerce a reality for both buyers and sellers. OFS Portal works with global standards organizations to converge or develop open and royalty free eCommerce standards for use in the upstream oil and gas industry.

Electronic catalogs are provided in standard format at no cost to OFS Portal members' customers. OFS Portal operates with a non-profit objective. Success is measured by the members' ability to reduce costs, increase internal efficiencies and optimize customer service. OFS Portal members include: Baker Hughes, Cameron International, Halliburton, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Select Energy Services, Trican Well Service, GE Oil and Gas, and Weatherford International. Membership is open to any oilfield supplier with activities in the upstream oil and gas sector.