Smith International Inc., Houston, (NYSE: SII) has named John Yearwood chief executive, president and chief operating officer, Jan. 1. Doug Rock, who holds these positions now, will remain chairman. Yearwood is Smith’s executive vice president and president of completion and production. He was with Schlumberger Ltd. for 26 years.

“As a result of our recent merger with W-H Energy Services, we at Smith have broadened our product offerings to become a full-service supplier to the worldwide oil and gas exploration and production industry,” Yearwood says. “With new capabilities in directional drilling, logging while drilling, wireline and coiled tubing, along with our traditional strengths in drillbits, drilling fluids, downhole tools, environmental systems, completions and production fluids and distribution services, Smith’s future will most certainly be a story of controlled, yet rapid, expansion.”

Rock says, “John Yearwood is perfectly suited for this job from the standpoint of both character and knowledge. His background is tailored to Smith. John is the right person at the right time to lead the Smith family.”

Smith International supplies products and services to the E&P industry and has 25,000 full-time employees who operate in more than 80 countries. JAS