NATIONAL PETROCHEMICAL AND REFINERS ASSOCIATION (NPRA), Bob Slaughter.
NPRA has become a key industry advocate under Slaughter’s leadership. One lobbyist said Slaughter is “extremely knowledgeable,” possesses an “even temperament,” and holds an “institutional memory that allows him to impart a historical perspective.” Another called him the “face of the industry.”
THE RHOADS GROUP, Thomas Pyle.
Pyle has extensive Capitol Hill experience, having served as an aide to Reps. George Radanovich (R-Calif.), Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) before moving to K Street. “He’s the best in the business right now,” one lobbyist said. Pyle worked at Koch Industries, which owns refiner Flint Hills Resources. He has since moved to the Rhoads Group, where he is building an energy practice.
DUTKO WORLDWIDE, Stephen Brown.
Brown represents several refiners, including Tesoro, a major player in West Coast markets, and Citgo, big in the East. For Brown, high gas prices are only part of the problem. Citgo is owned by the Venezuelan government and therefore is tied to that country’s mercurial president, Hugo Chavez. Chavez’s impolitic comments about President Bush have angered House Republicans in particular. But Brown, though his Capitol Hill experience was as a Democratic staffer, has smoothed the waters, relying on his long-standing contacts on both sides of the aisle.
EXXONMOBIL, J.O. Mitchell.
ExxonMobil’s extensive resources extend to Capitol Hill. The company spent more than $7 million on lobbying last year, but Mitchell gets credit for not throwing her company’s weight around. “She knows when to knock on a door, what information is important and what is not, and when to leave someone alone,” one lobbyist said.
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI, Scott Segal.
Few things happen to the industry without a response from Segal or public-relations guru Frank Maisano. “Please call for comments,” is Maisano’s daily mantra to reporters on all things energy. Segal’s clients include Valero. His expertise and quick wit make him an “indispensable” advocate, one lobbyist said.
AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, Jim Ford.
API represents “Big Oil,” the large integrated oil companies that do everything from drilling for oil and selling gas. Ford’s expertise matches the breadth of API’s interests, to include refining, a lobbyist said.
HUNTON & WILLIAMS, Joe Stanko.
Since moving from the House Energy and Commerce Committee to K Street, Stanko has built up a long list of energy-industry clients. They include Lyondell Chemical, Koch Industries and ConocoPhillips. “He’s plugged in,” one lobbyist said.
AKIN GUMP, Hank Terhune.
Terhune represents refiner Amerada Hess. “In addition to thoroughly knowing all-things-refining, his approach and style are warm and personable,” a Democratic aide said.
This is The Hill’s weekly listing of the top lobbyists in a specific industry — in this case, refining — based on conversations with the major players on K Street, congressional staffers and other Washington insiders.
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