API names Kelly Robbins as Executive Director of the Arkansas Petroleum Council

North Little Rock, Ark., January 4, 2018 – API today announced Kelly Robbins as the Arkansas Petroleum Council Executive Director. Robbins will be replacing Tom Parker who retired December 31^st, 2017.  

“Tom’s experience and hard work ethic has been an exceptional asset to API,” said API Senior Director of State Government Relations Rolf Hanson. “In his roles as both API Arkansas Executive Director and Southern Region Director, Tom has overseen critical moments in energy development, which has helped to drive job creation and billions in additional state revenue.

“We welcome Kelly, whose extensive knowledge of Arkansas and energy make him a natural leader in championing safe and responsible local development and smart policies that drive growth.”

Incoming Executive Director Kelly Robbins previously served as Executive Vice President for the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, based in Little Rock. Prior to that, Robbins was the executive vice president of the Arkansas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, where he gained experience and knowledge in all sectors of Arkansas’ oil and natural gas production. He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Arkansas in 1986.

“Domestic oil and natural gas development is driving the U.S. economy and supporting business activity across Arkansas, helping to lower energy prices and boost the state economy with more than 8 billion dollars in 2015,” said Robbins. “I look forward to supporting Arkansas and policies that encourage energy development and help create jobs, increase disposable income for consumers, and leads to greater profitability for our local businesses.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.