American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2015 - 22

IndustryDigest
Stewart Passing Baton
To Bennett At OOGA
COLUMBUS, Oh.-After serving 23
years as executive vice president of the
Ohio Oil & Gas Association, Tom
Stewart is retiring from the position and
is being succeeded by OOGA Senior
Vice President Shawn Bennett. The
association reports that Stewart will
continue serve the association as a
consultant.
OOGA describes Stewart as an
unwavering advocate for the oil and gas
industry and the voice for Ohio's energy
producers at the statehouse, where he
has worked diligently with lawmakers
to craft effective, sensible legislation to
improve industry safety and oversight.
Under his leadership, OOGA says it has
flourished alongside the state's
expanding shale sector with
membership more than doubling since
2010.
"Tom has worked tirelessly on behalf
of the oil and gas industry in Ohio, and
we all owe him our gratitude," affirms
OOGA President David R. Hill. "As a
consultant, Tom will provide counsel to
our staff and board, and will lead
OOGA's engagement with federal and
national energy officials and
organizations."
Following Stewart's retirement,
OOGA says Bennett will lead OOGA's
advocacy efforts. He also will serve as
the association's primary media
spokesperson and provide day-to-day

leadership.
Before he joined OOGA as senior
vice president in August, Bennett served
as director of Energy in Depth-Ohio, a
grass-roots advocacy, research and
education initiative organized in support
of responsible oil and gas development.
"Shawn has great knowledge about
and passion for the oil and gas
industry," Stewart praises. "He is
exceptionally prepared to provide
leadership to the association and be an
effective advocate for Ohio's energy
producers at the statehouse." Ì

NOIA Expresses Qualms
About BOEM Director
WASHINGTON-The National
Ocean Industries Association is
expressing some reservations about the
new director of the federal Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management.
On Dec. 18, Interior Secretary Sally
Jewell announced Abigail Ross Hopper
would replace acting BOEM Director
Walter Cruickshank on Jan. 5. Hopper
has led the Maryland Energy
Administration since 2012 as acting
director and then as director. She also
served as energy adviser to Maryland
Governor Martin O'Malley since 2010.
The Maryland Energy
Administration directs energy planning
for Maryland state agencies and helps
local governments implement programs
to reduce energy consumption,
according to DOI, which says Hopper

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22 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER

was pivotal in ensuring the passage of
the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy
Act of 2013, and oversaw programs
designed to increase renewable energy
production while reducing energy
consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions.
While NOIA President Randall Luthi
acknowledges that Hopper's
background in offshore wind "certainly
will be an asset as BOEM's offshore
renewable energy program continues to
show steady progress," he adds, "We are
hopeful Hopper will recognize the
importance of our nation's offshore
energy resources . . . especially as
BOEM is in the midst of developing the
2017-22 Outer Continental Shelf Oil
and Gas Leasing Program, which has
far reaching implications for America's
energy future."
Noting the "tremendous benefits that
occur as a result of safe oil and natural
gas development," Luthi adds, "It is
imperative that Hopper and the
administration recognize the ability of
our nation's offshore energy resources
to take our country to the next level
with regard to economic and energy
security."
For her part, Jewell states, "Hopper's
knowledge of the energy sector,
experience working with a wide variety
of stakeholders, and her legal expertise
will be valuable assets to the bureau and
the department as we continue to ensure
the safe and responsible development of
our domestic energy and mineral
American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2015

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