Delek names former sell-sider to lead IR team

Diversified downstream energy firm Delek US Holdings has appointed a former sell-side analyst as its new senior vice president of investor relations and market intelligence.

In his new role, Blake Fernandez focuses on ‘articulating Delek’s investment story and managing its strategic relationships with key stakeholders among institutional investors and research analysts,’ according to a statement announcing his appointment. 

Fernandez has two decades of financial experience and in his former role as a sell-side analyst – spending almost 13 years at Howard Weil – he focused largely on the oil industry, mainly covering integrated oils, independent refiners and oil macro.

‘Blake brings a wealth of sell-side equity expertise, deep knowledge of the oil industry and extensive relationships within the financial community,’ says Uzi Yemin, chairman, president and CEO of Delek, in the company statement. ‘He will help Delek educate current and potential investors about our remarkable and continuing growth.’

Fernandez – who has an MBA with a focus in finance from the University of New Orleans – now works ‘closely’ with Assi Ginzburg, who was appointed chief financial officer at the Tennessee-headquartered firm in March this year, and other ‘key members’ of the senior leadership team. 

Keith Johnson, vice president of investor relations, ‘will play a continuing role in the newly expanded department,’ states the company.