EVP says ‘it's time to catch my breath' after 10 years of advocating for the oil and gas industry

Durbin

Marty Durbin, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of the $207 million-revenue American Petroleum Institute, will leave Jan. 31, the group said in a statement today.

"It was a thrill to have worked with the natural gas and oil industry during a period of such incredible innovation—even the dual challenges of an economic recession followed by an industry downturn couldn't dampen the U.S. shale energy revolution," Durbin said in the statement. "(API CEO) Mike Sommers is a great talent and has taken the helm of a strong API team. I'm excited about where API is headed and glad I could play a role in this important leadership transition."

Sommers became API CEO last summer, replacing Jack Gerard.

"Marty has been an extraordinary leader for API during extraordinary times for our industry," said Sommers. "He has helped guide our association through challenges, expanded our industry's reach, and heightened our effectiveness in Washington and across the country."

Durbin has had a long career lobbying for associations. He was at the American Chemistry Council before first joining API in 2009. In 2013 he became CEO of America's Natural Gas Alliance. Then in 2016 ANGA merged into API and Durbin was named executive director of market development.

Durbin gave no indication of his next career step.

"After nearly 10 years, it is time for me to step away, catch my breath, and determine how I will pursue my passions in the policy and political world, but also with A Wider Circle, a grassroots non-profit dedicated to ending poverty," he said. Durbin is board chairman of the group.