Vertex Energy, Inc. Announces Appointment of Christopher Stratton as Chief Financial Officer

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Energy, Inc. (OTCBB:VTNR), a leader in the aggregation, recycling and processing of distressed hydrocarbon streams in the United States, today announces the appointment of Christopher Stratton as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Stratton’s employment will be effective starting August 24, 2009.

“Mr. Stratton brings an outstanding track record of success to his new role at Vertex Energy and I look forward to having him as a key member of our executive team”

Mr. Stratton’s expertise includes 18 years of energy and commodity experience. He has a background in public company compliance issues relating to Sarbanes-Oxley and financial reporting and control. Mr. Stratton is a leader in developing energy related middle and back-office risk processes, including risk management and derivative accounting systems. This experience includes industry and consulting experience with global financial institutions, investment banks, utilities, producers and end users. Mr. Stratton was instrumental in designing and implementing key financial, regulatory and management systems and processes for CITI’s initial foray into energy trading. While in consulting, Mr. Stratton served as project leader on multiple engagements that focused on the assessment and design of risk management frameworks for large and mid-market energy companies. Assessments focused on market, credit, and operational risks embedded within natural and traded positions including asset management, fuels procurement, wholesale trading and marketing.

“Mr. Stratton brings an outstanding track record of success to his new role at Vertex Energy and I look forward to having him as a key member of our executive team,” said Benjamin P. Cowart, Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Energy, Inc. Mr. Cowart continued, “Mr. Stratton brings a unique financial and business perspective to the Company that I’m confident will be invaluable as we pursue the growth of our business. Mr. Stratton will be an integral part in not only our financial reporting and control functions, but also our risk management and fundraising initiatives.”

“I’m excited to join Vertex Energy’s talented leadership team following the recent merger with World Waste Technologies,” said Mr. Stratton. Mr. Stratton continued, “The tremendous level of optimism, energy, talent and what I believe is an exciting plan for growth at Vertex Energy were significant reasons influencing my decision to take on this new role. I’m looking forward to assisting in the development of new opportunities and the execution of our existing business plan that will benefit our customers, shareholders and employees.”

Mr. Stratton is a Certified Public Accountant with experience as a Senior Manager at Pricewaterhousecoopers, LLC. He received his BBA from Baylor University in 1991 and his MBA degree from Rice University in 1998. Mr. Stratton serves on the Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management Partner’s Executive Board.

ABOUT VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

Vertex Energy, Inc. (OTCBB:VTNR) is a leader in the aggregation, recycling and processing of distressed hydrocarbon streams thereby reducing the United States’ reliance on foreign crude oil. Vertex Energy’s focus, as a participant in the alternative energy and environmentally friendly investment sectors, is on creating increased value in the products it manages and produces through a variety of strategies and technologies that facilitate the re-refining of used oil and off specification chemicals into higher value commodity products. By creating higher value products from distressed hydrocarbon streams, the Company is positioned to generate both financial and environmental benefits. Vertex Energy, Inc. is based in Houston, Texas with offices in Georgia and California.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Vertex Energy’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Vertex Energy, its divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Vertex Energy files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Vertex Energy’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Vertex Energy cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Vertex Energy undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and also takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Vertex Energy.