July 7, 2008
RigNet Elects Tom Matthews as Chairman
HOUSTON, TX - July 7, 2008 - RigNet, Inc., a leading global provider of managed communications solutions for the upstream oil and gas industry, announced today that its shareholders have elected Thomas M. Matthews as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Matthews has a long and distinguished career in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy, the electric and gas utility sector, and telecommunications, having served as CEO of four Fortune 500 companies. Since 2002, Mr. Matthews has been serving as Managing Trustee of Link Energy Trust and Chairman and CEO of Link Energy. Prior to Link, he was Chairman and CEO of Avista Corp. and Washington Water Power Corp from 1998 through 2002. Beginning in 1996 and continuing through 1998, Mr. Matthews was President and COO of NGC Corp. (predecessor to Dynegy). Previously from 1989 to 1996, Mr. Matthews was Vice President of Texaco Inc., President of Texaco Refining and Marketing, and President of Texaco Global Gas and Power. Prior to joining Texaco, Mr. Matthews spent eight years with Tenneco as President of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. He also spent 16 years with Exxon in various global executive and managerial assignments in exploration, production and development. He received a BSCE from Texas A&M University and attended advanced management programs in International Business at Columbia University and in Finance at Stanford University. He has served on the Boards of Directors of a number of organizations, including five public companies.
Sanders Morris Harris Private Equity Group partner Charles L. (Chip) Davis, director of and investor in RigNet, said, "we are absolutely delighted that Tom Matthews is joining the RigNet board as chairman. His vast experience in top leadership positions across the energy and telecommunications sectors will help RigNet expand upon its strategy and drive continued growth in shareholder value."
Addressing the communications challenges faced by oil and gas companies today in remote locations, RigNet uses the leading satellite and networking technologies to provide high-quality solutions for broadband data, voice and video communications, as well as real-time data management. RigNet installs, manages and supports communication systems without requiring its customers to invest in and manage expensive telecommunications equipment, allowing them to redirect valuable resources to their core businesses.
About RigNet Inc.
RigNet, Inc. is a leading global provider of managed communications services exclusively to the upstream oil and gas industry. The Company holds the prestigious Cisco Powered Network designation, meeting the most stringent standards for network reliability and performance, and was recently named one of America's fastest-growing private companies as ranked in Inc. Magazine's distinguished Inc. 500. RigNet has worldwide installations throughout 34 countries and 6 continents, spanning the global offshore drilling and production industry. Based in Houston, Texas, RigNet has offices in the South Central U.S., Brazil, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit http://www.rig.net/.
