CEO to exit energy industry association in August, will assist in search for successor

Gerard

Jack Gerard will step down as CEO of the American Petroleum Institute when his current contract ends in August, the energy industry association announced Wednesday.

As head of the $230 million-revenue API, Gerard is one of the most influential business lobbyists in Washington, D.C. He earned nearly $5.5 million in compensation in 2016, making him the third highest-paid CEO that year among organizations tracked by CEO Update.

Gerard, 60, has led API since 2008. In an email to the association's staff, he said the decision to leave was difficult but he didn't want to enter into another long-term committment after his contract expires.

"When I agreed to a second five-year commitment as API's President and CEO in 2013, I could only hope that our industry would be in the position it is today," Gerard said. "We have achieved a host of important public policy outcomes, added significant strength to our advocacy capabilities, and grown our membership and influence both domestically and internationally."

The CEO added that 10 years "is a long time to lead one of the most influential trade associations in Washington; yet much work remains." He also said that API's executive committee is looking for his successor and plans to have one in place by Sept. 1.

Before joining API, Gerard was CEO of the American Chemistry Council. He also is the former CEO of the National Mining Association. He started his political career in 1981 as a staffer for former Rep. George Hansen and later former Sen. James McClure, both Republicans from the CEO's home state of Idaho. Gerard joined McClure in 1990 in founding the government relations consulting firm McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwande.

Gerard has a law degree from The George Washington University.

Read more in Friday's edition of CEO Update.