Durbin joins API from chemistry council

The American Petroleum Institute has hired Martin Durbin as its new executive vice president for government affairs.

Durbin joins API from the American Chemistry Council, where he directed federal legislative advocacy and coordinated direct lobbying, coalition building, and ACC’s political programs. He is also a former Democratic staff aide on Capitol Hill, according to a news release.

At API, Durbin will rejoin his old boss, Jack Gerard. Gerard directed ACC before accepting the position as president and CEO of the oil industry trade group. Former Democratic congressman Cal Dooley replaced Gerard at the chemistry council.

“Marty brings to API a wealth of legislative experience and a deep understanding of the issues that affect America’s energy, economic and environmental security,” Gerard said in a statement.

Gerard said the trade group is undergoing “pretty significant restructuring” to focus more on its core mission of government advocacy. That will likely include the elimination of some positions at API, although Gerard declined to provide details on the reorganization.

Durbin worked for former Sen. Alan Dixon of Illinois and Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia.

“He is well-liked on both sides of the aisle,” Gerard said. “He has a reputation as a straight shooter.”

This year API has increased its grassroots lobbying activity to emphasis its employees and how they might be affected by climate change legislation and tax increases on the industry. It has sponsored three fly-in days of women, Hispanic and African-American oil industry employees and has underwritten Energy Citizens rallies this summer in opposition to climate legislation API believes will increase energy costs.