Energy Transfer co-CEO Mackie McCrea will retire by Dec. 31, 2026 [1], leaving Thomas Long as the company's sole chief executive officer [1].
This leadership transition marks a shift from a dual-CEO structure to a single point of command for one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the U.S. The move provides the company with a streamlined executive hierarchy as it navigates the complexities of the energy sector.
McCrea said he intends to leave the company to pursue personal objectives and spend more time with his family [2]. The retirement is scheduled to take place on or before Dec. 31, 2026 [1].
Thomas Long, who will assume full control of the chief executive role, has served as co-CEO since 2021 [3]. Long's tenure in the joint leadership role has prepared him to take the helm as the sole executive leader in Dallas [3].
Energy Transfer operates a vast network of pipelines and energy assets. The transition of power to Long follows several years of shared responsibility between the two executives. The company has not announced any changes to its broader operational strategy accompanying this executive shift.
Because McCrea is retiring for personal reasons, the transition is framed as a planned succession rather than a sudden departure. The company's corporate headquarters in Dallas will remain the center of operations as Long transitions into the sole CEO role [3].
“Mackie McCrea will retire by December 31, 2026”
The transition from a co-CEO model to a sole leadership structure typically signals a company's desire for faster decision-making and a clearer line of accountability. By appointing Thomas Long, who has been in the role since 2021, the company ensures continuity in its strategic direction while eliminating the potential for friction inherent in dual-leadership arrangements.
