David Lawler, a Denver native and CEO of BPX Energy, is adding the job of BP America’s chairman and president to his portfolio.

Lawler will become BP’s chief representative in the U.S. July 1, the company announced Thursday. He will succeed Susan Dio, who is retiring after 36 years with the company.

BPX Energy is responsible for the U.S. onshore operations of the London-based multinational company. With 13,000 employees and $30 billion in investments since 2016, BP said its economic footprint is larger in the U.S. than anywhere else. Those businesses accounted for a third of the company’s global revenue.

Lawler, who earned a petroleum engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines, has served as CEO of Denver-based BPX Energy since 2014. He led the $10.5 billion acquisition in 2018 of BHP Billiton’s U.S. shale oil and gas resources.

BPX Energy opened its headquarters in Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood in 2018. The 52-year-old Lawler is taking the helm of BP America as the company is aiming to get to net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

“Beyond a track record of delivering strong safety, environmental and commercial results, Dave brings an authentic and inspiring leadership style,” BP CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement. “His curiosity and willingness to do things differently will be essential as we reinvent BP and reimagine energy for people and our planet.”

Company officials credit Lawler’s team with delivering more than $240 million in “acquisition synergies” in the first year after taking over BHP’s U.S. assets and with developing infrastructure to lower emissions from the company’s operations in the Permian Basin.

Lawler said he’s honored to help BP America “deliver the energy the world needs” while working to become a net-zero emissions company.

Lawler, who has an MBA from Tulane University, joined BP from SandRidge Energy, a U.S.-based oil and gas independent, where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer.

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