Maxxam Signals Further Expansion in Oil and Gas Field With Announcement of New SVP

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 12, 2011) - A proven strategic leader with success in business operations, business development, entrepreneurial start-ups, corporate restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions will be joining Maxxam Analytics International Corporation as the Senior Vice President of the Petroleum Division.

The appointment of Fred Hutchings was announced today by Maxxam CEO Jon Hantho who said the new hire and the creation of a new position signals a new era for the company.

"We have been growing very quickly across our Petroleum business over the past several years," Hantho said. "There are tremendous opportunities in this field and Fred's appointment will help us take advantage of those opportunities, focusing on growth strategies, including acquisitions, to help us realize the full potential of the business."

Hutchings has worked in a series of executive roles in the petroleum field for more than 25 years most recently on strategic acquisitions and integration strategies. Throughout his career he has played an active role in various Petroleum associations and is now Past-Chair of Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC). He brings a wealth of experience to the new position as well as an impressive reputation.

"I look forward to this exciting new opportunity as part of Maxxam," Hutchings said. "Going forward Maxxam plans to expand its services to meet the growing needs of our petroleum customers and those in the oil sands market and related fields in particular. I'm confident that I can help the company do just that as part of an aggressive growth plan."

Hutchings will take on the newly-created role of SVP of the Petroleum Division and will be based in Calgary. He will report directly to the CEO.

Maxxam has long been considered a leader in Petroleum analytical services and solutions and Hantho said the addition of Hutchings to the Maxxam team will add to the already impressive bench strength of the company in this area.

Founded over 40 years ago, Maxxam is the market leader in analytical services and solutions to the energy, environmental, food and DNA industries. Maxxam's 2,000 dedicated employees proudly lead the industry in depth of technical and scientific expertise and serve customers through the only national network of laboratories. In processing over 3,000,000 samples and generating in excess of 30,000,000 results annually, Maxxam skillfully combines efficiency and customer service with rigorous science and uncompromising quality management.

Maxxam is committed to success with responsibility – to its stakeholders, to its communities, and to the environment. www.maxxam.ca.

Maxxam is majority owned by OMERS Private Equity.