VLO Valero Energy Corporation

By Ben Lefebvre

Valero Energy Corp. (VLO), one of the largest U.S. refining companies, on Tuesday named executive vice president and chief operating officer Joe Gorder to replace chief executive Bill Klesse as the company's president.

Mr. Klesse will remain CEO. Mr. Gorder will assume the president's position on Jan. 1 while keeping the COO position. Valero operates 16 refineries in the U.S. and abroad with a combined processing capacity of about 3 million barrels a day.

"As President and COO, Gorder will continue to be responsible for Valero's refining operations, as well as commercial operations in marketing, supply and transportation," the company said in announcing the move.

Mr. Klesse became Valero CEO in 2006 after serving as the company's COO for three years.

Write to Ben Lefebvre at ben.lefebvre@dowjones.com