Energy XXI Gulf Coast Inc. (NASDAQ: EXXI) appointed Douglas E. Brooks as CEO and president, the Houston-based company said April 18.

Brooks has more than 34 years of experience in the energy industry, most recently as CEO for Yates Petroleum Corp. which merged with EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) in October. He previously served as CEO of Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd. from 2012 until 2014, and as a senior vice president at Forest Oil Corp. in 2012.

In addition, he spent 24 years with Marathon Oil Co. in roles of increasing responsibility, lastly as the director of upstream mergers and acquisitions and business development for the Americas. He has also built two private equity-sponsored firms focused on unconventional resource projects in the western U.S., the company release said.

Brooks was also named to Energy XXI's board, increasing the board's size to seven directors from six. His appointment is effective April 17.

Michael S. Reddin, Energy XXI's board chairman, said Brooks' skills are "highly complementary" with the company's COO, Scott Heck, who has a background in offshore, engineering and operations.

"We look forward to having the powerful combination of Doug and Scott at the top of Energy XXI as we develop and execute strategies to maximize stockholder value," Reddin said in a statement.

Brooks currently serves on the board of birectors of Chaparral Energy Inc. and has served as a board member for Aurora Oil & Gas, Magdalena Energy Co., Yates Petroleum and the Houston Producers' Forum. Additionally, he is currently an advisor for Hart Energy's A&D Watch. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming - Casper and a Masters of Business Administration, Finance from Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas.