API lands PR vet Rozett for senior communications role

The American Petroleum Institute announced Wednesday that public relations veteran Linda Schoumacher Rozett, who is also a former journalist, will be the powerful trade group’s new vice president of communications.

Rozett has for several years been running the media consulting firm FirstWord Strategies. In 2007, she was communications director in the early days of former Sen. Fred Thompson’s (R-Tenn.) failed campaign for the GOP White House nomination.

Prior jobs included stints as a communications executive for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and  work with two energy trade groups: The Edison Electric Institute and the Natural Gas Supply Association.

Her Washington career began at ABC News, where she was a desk assistant at “World News Tonight” and rose to become Washington editorial news producer for “Good Morning America,” according to API.

“I am excited by the professional opportunity ahead,” Rozett said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “Few issues touch on as many of our country’s challenges as energy. From job creation and economic growth, to transportation, the environment, and natural security, America relies on the oil and natural gas industry.”