Clay Neff

President, Upstream Chevron

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Clay Neff has run Chevron’s exploration and production business worldwide as President, Upstream since July 2025. A petroleum engineer with Chevron since 1985, he spent much of his career in international upstream operations, leading the company’s businesses in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America and then its whole international exploration and production portfolio. Chevron ranked No. 21 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• President, Upstream of Chevron since July 2025.
• President, Chevron International Exploration and Production, 2022 to 2025.
• President, Chevron Middle East, Africa, South America E&P, 2019 to 2022.
• President, Chevron Africa and Latin America E&P, 2017 to 2019.
• Joined Chevron in 1985.

Professional Journey

Neff earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering at Louisiana State University and joined Chevron in 1985. He held leadership roles including Managing Director of the Nigeria/Mid-Africa business unit and general manager positions in Southern Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and the San Joaquin Valley.

He led Chevron’s Africa and Latin America exploration and production business from 2017, its Middle East, Africa and South America business from 2019 and its international exploration and production from 2022, and became President, Upstream in July 2025. He serves on the boards of the Corporate Council on Africa and the US-Saudi Business Council.

Education

Louisiana State University

Bachelor’s degree, Petroleum Engineering