NPK International Inc. announced the appointment of James Barton as Executive Vice President, Commercial Growth & Operations, effective September 22, 2026. Mr. Barton succeeds Lori Briggs, who will depart from her role as Executive Vice President, Business Operations effective September 14, 2026.
Mr. Barton brings more than two decades of leadership experience in strategic sales, account management, service operations, manufacturing, and growth execution. His most recent role was President of Clear Water Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidal Vision, where he led growth initiatives and operational improvements that strengthened revenue, margins, and EBITDA performance.
Previously, Mr. Barton held senior leadership roles with ZECO, Mayco Wellchem, and Baker Hughes. He holds an MBA in Corporate Entrepreneurship from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Communication and Marketing from Louisiana State University.
In a statement regarding the appointment, Matthew Lanigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of NPK International, stated, “JJ’s track record of driving operational performance, integrating businesses, building scalable processes, and leading teams through periods of growth and transformation aligns well with NPK’s strategic priorities.”
Mr. Lanigan also expressed gratitude to Lori Briggs for her contributions over the past eight years, noting she has provided outstanding leadership during her tenure at the company.
