OREANDA-NEWS. March 27, 2014. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) announced that Howard J. Thill, vice president of Corporate, Government and Investor Relations, has elected to retire effective April 1, 2014, following 12 years of service.

Coincident with Thill's retirement and effective immediately, the Investor Relations function will move under the direction and leadership of J.R. Sult, Marathon Oil executive vice president and CFO. Chris Phillips, currently director of Investor Relations, will continue in his current role and will report to Sult.

In addition, Marathon Oil's Corporate and Government Relations functions will be consolidated into a new organization called Corporate Communications, which will be under the direction of Sylvia J. Kerrigan, Marathon Oil executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. Paul Weeditz, currently general manager of Corporate Relations, will assume the new role of director, Corporate Communications, and will report to Kerrigan. This organizational change also is effective immediately.

"We want to thank Howard for his dedication and contributions toward Marathon Oil's success over the past 12 years," said Lee M. Tillman, Marathon Oil president and CEO. "Howard's leadership of the Company's communications effort has been essential in delivering our key messages to all stakeholders. He has also served as our Company's principal liaison with members of the investment community ensuring that our Company's plans and strategies were effectively conveyed to our shareholders. We wish him and his family the very best for continued good health and happiness in the years ahead."