announced today that Chief Financial Officer Danny Gibbons is taking early retirement, and Mike Ciskowski, currently Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, has been tapped to replace him. <br /><br />"Over the last 22 years, Danny has made many contributions to the company's successful financial transactions, and we greatly appreciate his hard work, dedication and contributions to Valero's success," said Bill Greehey, Valero's chairman of the board and chief executive officer. <br /><br />During his tenure with Valero, Danny worked his way up the ranks in the Finance Department serving in various positions, including Director of External Reporting/Disbursements and Manager of Financial Reporting, before being elected Treasurer in 1992, Vice President of Finance & Treasurer in 1997 and Chief Financial Officer in 1998. <br /><br />"While we're saddened by Danny's departure, we're fortunate to have an experienced and well-qualified executive who is well-prepared to step into the role of Chief Financial Officer. During his 18 years with the company, Mike has held many different positions in the financial planning and the business and corporate development areas of the company. <br /><br />"And most recently, he's led our Corporate Development Department, overseeing a string of very successful acquisitions, including the purchases of four refineries and two asphalt plants, as well as the acquisition of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock. He's helped Valero earn a reputation for making successful acquisitions, conducting smooth transitions and successfully closing those transactions in record time," said Greehey. <br /><br />During his tenure at Valero, Ciskowski has served in several different positions, including Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Vice President of Business Development, Investor Relations Director and Financial Planning Director. Prior to joining Valero, he worked for Williams Exploration Company and Getty Oil Company in finance and planning. <br /><br />He earned bachelor's of business administration and master's of business administration degrees in finance from Central State University in Oklahoma. <br /><br />Replacing Ciskowski is Joe Gorder, who is assuming the position of Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. Currently, Gorder serves as Vice President of Corporate Development for Valero L.P. <br /><br />Prior to joining Valero, Gorder served as Vice President of Business Development for Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, and as Director of Commercial/Industrial Sales, Assistant Treasurer and Director of Information Systems for Diamond Shamrock. <br /><br />Gorder earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a master's degree in business administration from Our Lady of the Lake University. <br /><br />"Both Mike and Joe have the experience, knowledge and leadership skills to step into these important positions. And, I'm confident that they're going to do a great job of helping to lead Valero," said Greehey. 