API hires Kent Eckles to direct the Kansas Petroleum Council

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2014 ─ The American Petroleum Institute today announced J. Kent Eckles as executive director of the Kansas Petroleum Council (KPC).

“Eckles is an established leader for economic development in Kansas,” said API Senior Director of State government Relations Rolf Hanson. “This is a critical time for strengthening the economy and creating jobs in Kansas and across the country. He understands the importance of investing in energy infrastructure in the state and the advantages it will bring to Kansans for decades to come.”

Eckles joins KPC after serving as the Vice President of Government Affairs with the Kansas Chamber for six years. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and, in addition to serving as the Chamber’s chief lobbyist with the Kansas Legislature, has experience directing the East Central Region for the Kansas Department of Commerce, and coordinating the U.S. Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. He begins work with KPC on April 16.

KPC is a division of API, which represents all segments of America's technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its 600-plus members provide most of the nation's energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.