Item 5.02 Appointment of Principal Officers

On October 1, 2009, Tri-Valley Corporation appointed John E. Durbin to be its Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Arthur M. Evans who becomes Chief Compliance Officer. A press release announcing the appointments of Mr. Durbin and Mr. Evans is attached.

Tri-Valley and Mr. Durbin have entered into a letter agreement concerning his employment, by which Mr. Durbin will be paid a monthly salary of $15,000 and will receive options to purchase 100,000 shares of Tri-Valley's common stock which vest incrementally over the next three years. He will receive the insurance and retirement benefits that are generally available to Tri-Valley employees.