SAINT JOHN — Irving Oil has announced the appointment of European energy executive Alfred Stern as its next president and chief executive. The New Brunswick company says Stern will join Irving on Oct. 1 and assume the top job effective Nov. 1, following the retirement of Jeff Matthews. Stern most recently served as chairman and chief executive of Austrian oil and gas group OMV AG. In a statement, Stern says he is honoured to join Irving Oil team at such an “important time in its history.” He says he plans to build on the company’s strong foundation by investing in safety, reliability and security of supply to support Irving Oil’s long-term, sustainable growth. Irving Oil, a privately owned energy company based in Saint John, N.B., operates the largest oil refinery in Canada, with capacity of more than 320,000 barrels per day. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2026.
