James Cearley is General Manager of Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Exploration for Chevron North America and Exploration Co. James earned a Bachelors degree in Geology from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1978. He began his career with Chevron in 1979 in Midland, TX and has held progressively more responsible technical and management positions in a number of locations. His more recent assignments include Gulf of Mexico Shelf Exploration Manager in New Orleans, Deepwater Product & Services Manager for Chevron Exploration Technology Company in New Orleans, Geology Center Of Excellence Manager for Chevron Exploration Technology Company in La Habra, CA, and Development Geology, Earth Science Team leader for Midcontinent Business Unit in Houston.

James is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.