American Oil and Gas Reporter - November 2016 - 93

succeeds or fails will dictate how the state
succeeds or fails," Flynn posed. "How do
I want to move us forward? I think about
two words: evolve and influence."
If the oil and gas industry is to retain
its importance, Flynn asserted it must
confront public perceptions.
"We are not going to compete if our
image simply is we have a lot of money
and you need us," he offered. "Think
about how you are going to engage the
next generation, if you are telling them
they need us. If you have to tell someone
that they need you, they probably do not
want to hang with you. Renewable energy
is viewed as cool, as socially responsible,
as modern. We need to make sure that
our image is modern, innovative, creative
and cool."
The oil and gas industry must embrace
social media, Flynn urged, adding that
initiative extends beyond a one- or twoyear task. "This is a job we have to do in
perpetuity. Our message cannot be a picture of the state budget saying we contribute a third of it. Our message has to
be the faces of the people who work in
the industry. We fight when we have to,
but over the long term, we have to engage
and inspire," he said.
Politics And Regulation
Flynn indicated he also was concerned
with the political and regulatory landscapes
impacting NMOGA members. He pointed
to the increasing polarization of the state's
election process, citing two incumbents
who lost primary races, both victims of
environmental group attacks because of
one vote.
Recalling his time in Governor Susana
Martinez's administration, Flynn listed
the economy and education as voters'
top three statewide concerns, while environmental issues were ninth or tenth.
"Today, when you think about the political landscape, whether you are on the

ground in New Mexico, or in the statehouse, while environmental issues may
not be a top-three priority, the environmental community is extremely powerful,"
he said. "We have to acknowledge what
they are doing, and confront it. We simply
cannot allow them to keep imposing their
will on candidates without pushing back."
For the oil and gas industry to continue
its success in New Mexico, Flynn argued
it had to connect with politicians in both
parties, and not just talk with them when
they were confronted by a vote on one
issue. He said the NMOGA staff would
work in the field, building political relationships for the 10 or 11 months legislators
were not in session. Just as importantly,
he said, NMOGA will continue the work
of his predecessor and improve relationships
with its allies, including other trade organizations and sovereign Indian nations.
NMOGA also must remain aggressive
and credible when confronted by new
regulations, he asserted, adding it should
not be afraid of pushing regulatory changes
during Governor Martinez's remaining
two years in office. Looking ahead, he
urged NMOGA members to build relationships with state regulators at the staff
level.
"If an agency three years from now
proposes something problematic, we cannot be afraid to confront it. The only way
we can approach regulatory change is to
be honest, sincere, and to base our arguments on facts and the law. Then, we
cannot hesitate to litigate if the facts or
the law are ignored," he said.
NMOGA enjoys a strong cultural and
financial position in New Mexico, Flynn
concluded.
"I have the opportunity to work with
this organization and to take it to the
next level," he said. "We will evolve, and
we will wield the amount of influence
that is warranted for the New Mexico's
most powerful industry."
❒

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NOVEMBER 2016 93

American Oil and Gas Reporter - November 2016

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