NOV Announces Retirement of Clay Williams and Appointment of Jose Bayardo as CEO, Effective January 1, 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

NOV (NYSE:NOV) announced that Clay Williams will retire and Jose Bayardo will become Chairman, President and CEO effective January 1, 2026. The Board said the change follows a rigorous succession plan intended to ensure leadership continuity.

Bayardo joined NOV in 2015, served as CFO, was promoted to President and COO earlier in 2025, and currently oversees global operations. Williams served at NOV for more than three decades and led as CEO for over a decade.

Positive

• CEO succession set for Jan 1, 2026
• Internal promotion of Jose Bayardo (joined 2015) supports continuity
• Bayardo oversees global operations as President and COO in 2025

Negative

• Founder-era leadership change after more than three decades may create near-term uncertainty
• CEO transition removes a leader with over a decade of CEO experience

HOUSTON, Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOV Inc. announced today that Clay Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer will retire, and Jose Bayardo, NOV’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed him and serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. This plan reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to long-term succession planning and leadership continuity.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Clay for his leadership and lasting impact on NOV,” said William Thomas, NOV’s Lead Independent Director. “With more than three decades of service to NOV and over a decade as CEO, Clay guided NOV through transformation and volatility alike – steering it through deep industry cycles while building a resilient organization. His influence endures in the culture of integrity, innovation, and excellence that will continue to shape NOV’s future.”

Mr. Thomas continued, “After a rigorous succession planning process, the Board is confident that Jose is well-prepared, and an exceptional choice, to advance NOV into its next chapter of growth. He is a proven leader with a strong track record of accomplishments and expertise in upstream oilfield operations. Jose has helped shape NOV’s strategy and culture while leading strategic initiatives that have enhanced operational efficiency and performance. Jose’s knowledge of the business and trusted leadership will ensure a seamless transition.”

“It has been a privilege to serve NOV,” said Mr. Williams. “I am deeply grateful to all NOV’s employees and the Board for their partnership and support. I am also grateful to have spent the past decade working alongside Jose. He is an outstanding leader who knows our business, our people, and our customers well. His drive and enthusiasm for our business will guide NOV into its next era of success.”

“I am honored by the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization and continue building on NOV’s strong foundation,” said Mr. Bayardo. “On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to thank Clay for his strong leadership, for fostering a culture of integrity and excellence, and for developing a deep bench of talent throughout the organization, all of which leaves NOV well positioned for the future. NOV will continue delivering the critical technologies that enable safe, efficient, and reliable energy production worldwide, while strengthening our operations to drive long-term shareholder value.”

Mr. Bayardo joined NOV in 2015 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer before being promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer earlier this year. In his current role, he oversees global operations, supporting strategic alignment and performance across the organization. Prior to joining NOV, he held executive roles at Continental Resources, Inc. and Complete Production Services, Inc. Mr. Bayardo holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University.

About NOV
NOV delivers technology-driven solutions to empower the global energy industry. For more than 150 years, NOV has pioneered innovations that enable its customers to safely and efficiently produce abundant energy while minimizing environmental impact. NOV powers the industry that powers the world.

Cautionary Statement for the Purpose of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Statements made in this press release that are forward-looking in nature are intended to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and may involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from the actual future events or results. Readers are referred to documents filed by NOV with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which identify significant risk factors which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.

Visit www.nov.com for more information.

Source: NOV Inc.

CONTACT:

Amie D’Ambrosio
Director, Investor Relations
(713) 375-3826
amie.dambrosio@nov.com

FAQ

When does NOV (NOV) appoint Jose Bayardo as CEO?

Jose Bayardo becomes Chairman, President and CEO effective January 1, 2026.

Who is retiring as CEO of NOV (NOV) and when is the retirement effective?

Clay Williams is retiring; the leadership transition is effective January 1, 2026.

What is Jose Bayardo's background at NOV before becoming CEO of NOV (NOV)?

Bayardo joined NOV in 2015, served as CFO, and was promoted to President and COO earlier in 2025.

Does NOV (NOV) describe the CEO change as planned or sudden?

The company describes the move as part of a rigorous succession planning process to ensure leadership continuity.

Will the NOV (NOV) board keep the chairman role after the CEO change?

Yes; Jose Bayardo will serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer starting January 1, 2026.