Bill Koetzle Joins API as Vice President of Federal Affairs

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2018 – API today announced the addition of a Vice President of Federal Affairs, Bill Koetzle, whose experience on legislative, regulatory and policy issues in the energy sector will deepen the bench of experience and talent the organization has added in recent months. Koetzle comes to API from the Chevron Corporation, where he served as Manager of Federal Government Affairs, leading advocacy for the company in Congress, the Administration and federal agencies on priority issues for Chevron.

"Bill’s experience working with the industry and on Capitol Hill will be crucial as we continue to advance our legislative strategy here in Washington," API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. "Few people know our industry’s issues and policy priorities as well as Bill, and we’re excited to have him on board as we continue to pursue legislation and regulation that will benefit American consumers."

Koetzle spent a decade at Chevron, managing the company’s legislative, regulatory and political affairs, including the development of the company’s policy positions and advocacy strategy to achieve top priorities. While at Chevron, Koetzle spent time in Asia managing government relations, internal and external communications, and community engagement activities in support of the company’s investments in six countries, including China and Thailand. In January of 2015, he moved into his current role where he also leads advocacy on Chevron’s tax and environmental priorities in Washington, DC.

Prior to his time at Chevron, Koetzle spent a decade working in leadership and policy development roles in the House of Representatives, including as Deputy Republican Staff Director for the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Assistant to the Speaker for Policy and Illinois Director, and Legislative Director for Representative Dennis Hastert (R–Ill.) beginning in 1998.  During his time in Congress, Koetzle managed the congressional and district offices for the Representative-turned-Speaker of the House, as well as constituent services and appropriations and was the primary advisor to Speaker Hastert on energy, environment, telecommunications, natural resources and agricultural issues. Koetzle later served as the Senior Vice President for Public Policy at the Institute for Energy Research, a non-profit organization that conducts research and analysis on impacts to global energy markets.

"I’m thrilled to continue my work for the natural gas and oil industry at this pivotal time and advocate for policies that will further advance America’s leadership in energy development, delivery, refining, and trade. Mike Sommers and his API team, as well as the API’s engaged membership, are redefining the industry’s playbook on delivering results on legislative, regulatory and policy priorities that will benefit all Americans and I look forward to contributing right out of the gate,” said Koetzle, who will officially join API’s leadership team next month.

Koetzle graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Irvine in Irvine, California, where he was on the National Dean’s List and named the school’s Distinguished Scholar for the School of Social Sciences. He went on to earn his master’s and Ph.D. in political science, also from the University of California at Irvine. Koetzle and his family reside in northern Virginia.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API's nearly 620 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation's energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans.