By Shariq Khan

NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) – John Addison, Vitol’s top U.S. gasoline trader who this year helped the firm win a deal for the first exports of Venezuelan oil following Nicolas Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces, plans to retire at age 47 from the world’s largest commodities trading house, four sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Addison is considered by rivals and colleagues to be one of the most successful gasoline traders of recent decades.

After his retirement, Addison plans to focus on politics and energy policy, one source close to him said. Addison was an early backer of U.S. Vice President JD Vance since Vance ran for the U.S. Senate, and he also contributed to President Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign.

His trading career involved oversight of both physical gasoline markets in the U.S., the world’s largest fuel consumer, along with financial instruments for crude oil, diesel and other parts of the energy market, a colleague and two rival traders said.

Addison currently leads refined products trading in the Americas for Vitol. He would retire on Tuesday after over 17 years at the company, the sources said. He would be replaced by his deputy on the refined products desk, gasoline trader Jean-Marc Monrad, one of the sources said.

The sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential details.

Addison declined to comment. Monrad did not immediately respond to a message on LinkedIn.

Vitol declined to comment on personnel issues.

Addison also works with his alma mater Vanderbilt University. He serves on the Vanderbilt School of Engineering Council of Advisors and Chancellor’s Circle, according to a profile by the university. Addison and his wife Shannon donated $30 million to Vanderbilt last year.

(Reporting by Shariq Khan in New York; Editing by David Gregorio)