API Strengthens Advocacy Team With New Federal Relations Hires

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2021 – The American Petroleum Institute today welcomed Amy Travieso Loveng, Alex Dominguez, and Owen McDonough to its federal relations team to further strengthen API’s strategic outreach efforts and continue to advance the organization’s advocacy goals in Washington.

“As our industry continues to innovate at a pivotal time, Amy, Alex and Owen bring policy expertise, bipartisan experience and critical insights to our federal relations team,” API Vice President of Federal Relations Lem Smith said. “Our industry works every day to address the dual challenge of tackling climate change while meeting the world’s growing demand for affordable, reliable energy. The respect these individuals garner on both sides of the aisle will further advance API priorities as we work with the Biden administration and others to meet these challenges.”

Amy joins API as senior director of federal relations and most recently served as chief of staff for Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chief Deputy Whip. Prior to serving as chief of staff for Rep. Henry Cuellar, Amy served as vice president of government affairs at the American Hotel & Lodging Association and director of congressional and public affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Alex also joins the government relations team as a director of federal relations. Before joining API, Alex served as an adviser in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation where he provided policy and technical advisement to the Assistant Administrator. Prior to his role at EPA, Alex worked on Capitol Hill for former Congressman Jim Renacci (R-Ohio).

Owen, recognized as a national expert on the Clean Water Act, will start at API next week as director of federal relations. He joins from The Fertilizer Institute, where he served as director of regulatory and scientific affairs on matters related to the environment, energy, and occupational health and safety. He previously served as senior science advisor to the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water Assistant Administrator, providing technical advice and guidance on policy issues under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, and as a senior program manager of environmental issues at the National Association of Home Builders.

Lem Smith was named vice president of federal relations in January after previously serving as API’s vice president of upstream policy.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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