PANEL SESSION :: Monday, 4 May :: 0930-1200 :: Room 306
Meeting the Energy Challenge–Improving Communication Among
Consumers, Academia, NGOs, Oil Companies, and Government
Moderators:
Sandeep Khurana, Advisor, Devon Energy Corporation;
David Holt, Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance
The worldwide quest to define future energy needs has brought the
issue of partnership among consumers, academia, NGOs, oil companies,
and the government to the forefront. The world’s energy supply is
predicted to rely heavily on fossil fuel resources for the foreseeable
future. However, short-term vision has sometimes discouraged, or
even shut-off, exploration by oil companies, which further weakens our
supply lines. Some oil companies are investing in alternative sources,
but these resources can merely keep pace with demand. Meanwhile,
consumers are struggling with price fluctuations, and political leaders
are overwhelmed with rhetoric and the constant struggle to develop a
comprehensive, balanced national energy policy.
Some issues covered will include
• Tackling demand through partnership among government,
consumers, academia, NGOs and
the industry
This panel will discuss the cost of energy, fluctuations in supply and
demand, and discussion on how an effective partnership among these
entities is the way forward.
• Incentives for oil companies to ensure supply for the future
MODERATOR
Sandeep Khurana, Advisor, Devon Energy Corporation
Sandeep Khurana acts as a subsea and facilities advisor in
the Corporate Drilling and E&P Division of Devon Energy
Corporation. He has more than 19 years of diversified
experience that includes prospect evaluation, planning,
development, design, and project management of offshore
oil and gas fields, subsea equipment, pipelines, processing
facilities, and ongoing operations. He has been involved in early
stages of field development planning and has played critical roles from project
inception to procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning phases
followed by operational support. His current key role includes management of
oilfield projects, ongoing operations, and supporting corporate exploration and
exploitation activities such as lease and prospect evaluations, farm-ins/farmouts, and divestures.
Khurana is actively involved in supporting the industry via professional
organizations. He has authored numerous publications and participated on
industry panels. Other extracurricular activities include sports coaching and
volunteering on social programs.
He earned his master’s degree in civil engineering in 1990 from Rice University.
He is a registered professional engineer in Texas since 1995 and a registered
project management professional.
PANELIST
Lisa Murkowski, US Senate
Senator Lisa Murkowski is the first Alaskan-born senator to
serve the state and only the sixth US Senator from Alaska. Since
joining the senate in 2002, Murkowski has already made many
strides on issues facing Alaskans. She advocates for improving
the state of health care, education, energy, veterans’ affairs, and
infrastructure development in Alaska.
Only the 33rd female to serve in the United States Senate since
its founding in 1789, Murkowski has assumed leadership roles quickly in the
senate. She is the senior Republican member of the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee and also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Murkowski is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee and also is a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Senate
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell selected Murkowski to join his leadership
team in the 111th Congress.
She was elected to three terms in the Alaska State House of Representatives,
beginning in 1998, and was named House Majority Leader during the 2003–04
term. After being appointed to the senate in 2002, Senator Murkowski was
elected to a full six-year senate term in 2004. She served as Anchorage District
Court attorney for two years and then worked in Alaska commercial law for eight
years before opening her own practice.
She earned a BA in economics from Georgetown University in 1980. In 1985, she
graduated with a law degree from Willamette University and became a member
of the Alaska Bar Association in 1987.
• Improving consumer awareness of oil and gas as energy sources
• Expanding access for offshore drilling
• The role of government as a watchdog, and its need to actively
participate in understanding energy sources and its future
• Economic and employment impact and opportunities created by a
comprehensive policy
• Climate change legislation and economic implications
• Alternative energy and its future
MODERATOR
David Holt, Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance
In early 2006, David Holt became executive director of the
Consumer Energy Alliance, the nonprofit organization formed
to help support the thoughtful utilization of all domestic energy
resources, improve domestic energy security, and reduce
consumer prices.
Prior to joining the Consumer Energy Alliance, Holt formed the
law firm of Holt & Associates, which specialized in governmental
affairs and public policy representation for the energy industry. Previously, Holt
served as vice president of government affairs for Hart Energy Services, senior
legal counsel to Chairman James E. Nugent of the Texas Railroad Commission,
counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, and in public affairs to the US
Department of State.
Holt is an adjunct professor with the Bodø Graduate School of Business’ Master
of Science in Energy Management Program, in cooperation with the International
Institute of Energy Policy & Diplomacy at the MGIMO University in Moscow, Russia.
PANELIST
Marvin E. Odum, President, Shell Oil Company
Marvin E. Odum is president of Shell Oil Company and
executive vice president for the Americas for Shell
Exploration & Production.
Odum was named president in May 2008. In this position, he
leads the US Country Leadership Team. As executive vice
president since 2005, he has responsibility for Shell exploration
and production businesses in the western hemisphere.
In addition, he remains a member of the Global Exploration & Production
Leadership Team.
Odum joined Shell as an engineer in 1982 and has held a range of management
positions in technical and commercial operations, including his current position
in Shell Exploration & Production. Prior to this assignment, he was chief
executive officer of InterGen, a global power generation company. He also served
as Shell Gas & Power Director for the Americas.
Odum serves on the board of directors of the American Petroleum Institute (API)
and is chairman of the API Upstream Committee. He is a member of the Dean’s
Council of the Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Texas College of
Engineering Advisory Board.
Odum earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University
of Texas and a master’s degree in business administration from the University
of Houston.
For more information, visit www.otcnet.org/2009
PANELIST
Sheila Jackson Lee, US House of Representatives
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her seventh term
as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
She represents the 18th Congressional District of Texas,
centered in Houston. In the 110th Congress, she was named the
new chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.
She sits on three congressional committees—the House
Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs.
In addition, Lee is a founder, member, and cochair of the Congressional
Children's Caucus, the Pakistan Caucus, Afghan Caucus, and newly formed
Algerian Caucus. Lee has been actively engaged in addressing and resolving the
genocide in Darfur.
Lee recently received the 2006 Award for Policy at the 16th Annual Phillip
Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards. In 2005, Congresswoman Jackson
Lee was awarded the Drum Major Award for Public Service by the Revelation
Urban Development Institute. In recognition of her contributions to science,
the National Technical Association (NTA) of Scientists and Engineers honored
the congresswoman with its Top Women in the Sciences Award. Lee was also
awarded the "Legislator of the Year" by the National Mental Health Association.
Before her election to Congress, Lee served two terms as one of the first
African American women at-large members of the Houston City Council. Prior
to her council service, she was an associate municipal court judge for the city
of Houston.
Lee earned a BA in political science from Yale University with honors, followed by
a JD from the University of Virginia Law School.
PANELIST
James May, President and CEO, Air Transport Association
James May is president and chief executive officer of the Air
Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA), the nation’s
oldest and largest airline trade association. May joined ATA
in February 2003, and has led the association through an
especially challenging time in its history. Under his leadership
the association has worked to provide the safest form of
transportation, add value to the airlines’ involvement in global,
economic well-being, modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, and
expand dialogue with congress and the administration.
Prior to joining ATA, May served as executive vice president of the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB); vice president, public affairs for the CocaCola Bottling Company of New York; directed government relations for PepsiCo;
and served as vice president, public affairs for the Grocery Manufacturers
of America.
PANELIST
Jack N. Gerard, President and CEO
American Petroleum Institute
Jack N. Gerard is president and CEO of the American Petroleum
Institute, the national trade association that represents all
aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry.
Gerard brings a strong industry trade association background
to API, as well as experience on Capitol Hill. He most recently
served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry
Council, and earlier held the same title at the National
Mining Association.
During his three years at the Chemistry Council, the association fortified its
advocacy initiatives on issues important to the chemicals industry and worked
closely with Congress on major legislation.
Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the US Senate and House. He
came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Representative George Hansen. He
also worked for Senator James A. McClure, who chaired the US Senate Energy
and Natural Resources Committee.
Gerard joined Senator McClure in founding McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander,
a Washington, DC-based government relations consulting firm. Gerard served as
chairman and chief executive officer and focused on issues such as international
sports, telecommunications, energy, and mining.
He holds a BA in political science and a JD from George Washington University.
PANELIST
Jason Grumet, Executive Director
National Commission on Energy Policy
Jason Grumet has worked at the intersection of science, policy
and politics throughout his career. In 2007, Grumet founded
the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) to develop substance based,
bipartisan solutions to pressing policy challenges. With the
leadership of former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker,
Tom Daschle, and Bob Dole, the BPC is currently focused on
five major issues: energy policy, national security, homeland
security, health care, and transportation policy.
Grumet has a long history in energy and environment issues. Since 2001, he has
directed the National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) which has released
a number of significant studies and continues to actively advocate for its policy
recommendations in Congress and with the Administration. He is a frequent
witness at Congressional hearings and is regularly featured in national media.
Grumet received a BA degree from Brown University and his JD from
Harvard University.
May currently serves as cochair of the NextGen Institute Management Council
and as a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for the Hollings Cancer
Center. As a captain in the US Marine Corps, he commanded an infantry
company in Vietnam.
PANELIST
Bill Graves, President and CEO
American Trucking Associations
Bill Graves is president and CEO of American Trucking
Associations (ATA), the national trade and safety organization
of the United States trucking industry. Through its 50
affiliated state trucking associations, conferences and other
organizations, it represents motor carriers before all branches
of the government.
In January 2003, Graves completed 22 years of public service
in the state of Kansas highlighted by two terms as Governor of Kansas. He
was reelected to his second term with the largest percentage of votes in
Kansas history.
Under his administration, Kansas taxpayers saw the largest tax cut in state
history, and many state services were streamlined. In 1999 he signed an historic
10-year, $13-billion comprehensive transportation program into law, improving
highways, railroad infrastructure, airports, and public transit service in Kansas.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Kansas National Guard, Graves oversaw the
deployment of Kansas troops to Bosnia, Turkey, and the Persian Gulf, among
other areas. Prior to his election as governor, he served two terms as Kansas
Secretary of State.
In addition to his duties at ATA, Graves serves on the board of the International
Speedway Corporation, the leading promoter of motorsport racing in America.
Graves earned a degree in business administration from Kansas Wesleyan
University in his hometown of Salina, Kansas and attended graduate school at
the University of Kansas.
For more information, visit www.otcnet.org/2009