Five Questions with Emily Moore, Sr. Financial Analyst – Treasury

May marks Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which celebrates the history of those who came to America from across the continent of Asia and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

One way we are celebrating AAPI History Month is by spotlighting employees from the AAPI community who make a difference at our company. Below we profile a conversation with one of these leaders, Emily Moore. Emily works in Treasury in Oklahoma City — when she’s not working, you can find her exercising, playing the piano or teaching her pet cockatiel to sing and whistle. Emily also loves spending time with her niece and nephew in Austin, TX.

You grew up in Taiwan. What was your experience moving to the U.S.?

Taiwan is a small, sweet potato shaped island in southeast Asia, surrounded by ocean. It’s only approximately 13,800 square miles (versus Oklahoma’s 70,000 square miles) but has a dense population of 24 million people now (versus Oklahoma’s 4 million people).

I moved to Oklahoma City for higher education around Thanksgiving in 1989. Oklahoma City has been my home for over 30 years now. One of the indelible memories I have is the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing while I was working downtown. My office building shook hard and books fell off bookshelves; it was like a horror movie. Thankfully, no one was injured at my location. Since then, I learned to not take the life, safety and freedom we have here in America for granted, and I practice gratitude and count my blessings daily.

How did you begin your career at Chesapeake?

I studied Computer Science at Oklahoma City University and Finance and Accounting at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating from college, I went to work for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms in downtown Oklahoma City for several years before moving into the oil and gas industry for most of my professional career. The company I worked for prior to Chesapeake was acquired in late 2021 and my position was transferred to Dallas. Since I enjoyed my life in Oklahoma City and consider it my hometown, I decided to stay and joined Chesapeake in July 2022.

What are your responsibilities within the Treasury department?

My official title is Senior Financial Analyst and I work on the Corporate Finance team within the Treasury department.

The Corporate Finance team performs analytical and administrative duties related to capital market activity, such as issuance of debt, equity or hybrid securities, credit facility activity, share repurchase program, commodity hedging, debt portfolio and indenture compliance monitoring. The team also monitors financial markets to help formulate recommendations for senior management and help manage relationships with credit rating agencies.

Oil and gas is traditionally not a very diverse industry. What has been your experience?

Energy is one of Oklahoma’s key industry sectors, and oil and gas production historically has been one of the major components of Oklahoma’s economy. Having been in Oklahoma and the industry for so long, I have seen increased diversity and inclusion in recent years and I celebrate this.

What does your culture mean to you and your family?

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Asian culture is work ethic. My generation of Asians believe that hard work pays off and contributes to a happy life. I have personally experienced and witnessed how sheer determination and diligence help people achieve their goals.