NextDecade said in a statement on Wednesday that Mike Mott, who is currently the company’s interim CFO, will return to his previous role as senior vice president of enterprise transformation.
According to the Rio Grande LNG terminal developer, Zuklic brings “significant” expertise after more than 30 years in the energy industry, including senior finance roles in capital-intensive businesses.
His experience includes financial strategy, capital structuring, treasury, corporate finance, stakeholder engagement, building and transforming organizations, and strengthening governance and risk oversight.
Zuklic joins NextDecade from Citgo Petroleum Corporation (CITGO), where he held the position of CFO since 2020.
Before his tenure at CITGO, Zuklic spent much of his career at Phillips 66 and its predecessor, ConocoPhillips.
“John is an experienced strategic and operational leader, with a strong track record of guiding large energy infrastructure companies through growth and transformation,” said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade chairman and chief executive officer.
“I look forward to partnering with John as we transform NextDecade from an LNG development company into an LNG operating company with incredible organic growth opportunities,” he said.
NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG just secured a three-year extension from FERC to complete construction and place into service five trains at its LNG export plant in Texas.
In July 2023, NextDecade took the final investment decision on the first three Rio Grande LNG trains.
In September and October last year, NextDecade made the final investment decisions on the fourth and fifth trains at its Rio Grande LNG facility.
This brings the total expected LNG production capacity under construction at Rio Grande LNG to approximately 30 mtpa.
NextDecade expects the facility to receive first gas by the end of this year and start shipping LNG produced at the first train in the first half of 2027.
In addition, NextDecade is seeking approval from FERC to build and operate the sixth Rio Grande liquefaction train and an additional marine berth.
