Gas Processors Association unveils staffing changes for 2015

The Gas Processors Association (GPA) has hired Matt Hite as its vice president of government affairs, the group confirmed today.

Hite will lead the GPA’s federal advocacy activities in Washington, DC, and will be instrumental in opening the GPA Office of Federal Affairs there.

Hite has previously served as policy counsel and committee executive to the environment, technology and regulatory affairs division at the US Chamber of Commerce since 2012. In that role, he handled a variety of environmental issues and also managed the Chamber's environment and agriculture committee, the policymaking body for environment and agriculture issues and initiatives.

Before joining the Chamber, Hite spent close to a decade working on Capitol Hill. He was senior counsel to Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-OK) on the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he handled a number of agency oversight and regulatory issues. Hite was also the point person for a number of energy and environmental legislative initiatives in the US Senate and was responsible for vetting and ushering various EPA executive nominees through the committee vetting process.

The GPA says it is pleased to bring his expertise to its staff and looks forward to Hite officially joining the group in mid-January. For federal advocacy questions or needs in the meantime, the GPA asks queries to be directed to Mark Sutton or Johnny Dreyer.

Meanwhile, Jeff Applekamp left GPA to take another position in the industry, with Debbie Beaver stepping into the GPA’s open director of state affairs position. Prior to joining GPA in February 2013 as the director of technical services, Debbie worked in government affairs for The Williams Companies, facilitating the involvement of the company in legislative and regulatory venues, serving as a liaison between regulatory agencies and state legislatures, and providing management with guidance and updates on legislation affecting company policies.

Beaver had a 27-year career with The Williams Companies in various government affairs roles, with considerable experience lobbying in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. The GPA says it is lucky to bring her experience and expertise to its director of state affairs position.

With her position change, the GPA notes that it has an opening for its director of technical services position, which it hopes to fill as soon as possible. In the meantime, the GPA asks that technical and research questions be sent to Johnny Dreyer.

Additionally, chapter/regional administrator Paula Mirkin is retiring at the end of the year after 35 years of service with GPA. No additional information was given about her position.

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