Shona Energy Company, Inc. Announces Appointments of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

CALGARY, Jan. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Shona Energy Company, Inc. (SHO-TSX.V) ("Shona" or "the Company"), announced today that Mr. Mike Wilkes has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer of Shona, and Mr. David Gian has been appointed to the position of Treasurer of Shona. Mr. Wilkes' and Mr. Gian's appointments are effective January 1, 2012 and are subject to review by the TSX Venture Exchange.

"Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Gian are valuable additions to our senior management team. Mr. Wilkes' experience with the exploration and production component of the oil and gas business is an asset for Shona, with Mr. Gian's financial background and international sales experience also providing important insight," said James L. Payne, CEO of Shona Energy. "These additions complete an accomplished and experienced management team to help guide Shona as we execute on our growth strategy."

Mike Wilkes served as Shona's Controller since December 2008. In 2003 and 2004, Mr. Wilkes held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Controller for Nuevo Energy Company in Houston, Texas. Mr. Wilkes held the position of Controller of Santa Fe Energy Company in Houston, Texas from 1985 to 2000.

David Gian graduated from Baylor University in 2003 with a BBA in International Business and Economics. During an eight-year tenure at Oil States Industries, Inc., Mr. Gian served as District Sales Manager for the North Sea, Commonwealth of Independent States, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean markets. Mr. Gian recently returned to Houston to function as Oil States Industries' Business Development Manager. Mr. Gian has an MBA from the Acton School of Business in Austin, Texas.

Mr. Wilkes will be replacing Interim CFO Mr. Randy Castleberry as Shona's CFO. Mr Castleberry will continue to serve Shona as a consultant on strategic matters.  Mr. Gian will be replacing Ms. Shetal Mentlewski as the Company's Treasurer. Ms. Mentlewski will continue her role as VP of Administration and Legal.

About Shona

Shona is an international oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company focusing on South America, specifically Colombia and Peru. The Company's assets currently include interests in the Company-operated Esperanza block located in Colombia's Lower Magdalena Basin, the non-operated Serrania, Los Picachos and Macaya Blocks in Colombia's Caguan Basin, and the non-operated Block 102 in Peru's Maranon Basin. The common shares of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the stock symbol "SHO". More information on the Company is available at www.shonaenergy.com.

Cautionary Statements

The securities of Shona have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement.  This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

For further information please contact either of the following individuals:
Ricardo Mendieta Vice President of Colombia Shona Energy (Colombia) Limited Geoproduction Oil and Gas Company of Colombia Bogota, Colombia 571-630-4690	Shetal Mentlewski Vice President of Administration and Legal Shona Energy Company, Inc. Houston, Texas 713-622-8809