American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2023 - 36

ConventionSec tion: Ohio Oil & Gas Association
understand fossil fuels and hear our story, "
Levengood adds. " It helps people
to see how things work from the grounddown
so they understand where energy
comes from and how it makes their
lives better. "
76th Annual Meeting
With Levengood concluding his chairmanship,
Brundrett expresses gratitude
for their partnership. " I could not have
asked for a better chairman when I began
my presidency, " he says. " Bruce has been
extremely helpful, always willing to answer
questions to help me better understand
the industry and the history around
all kinds of things. He will be missed,
but as our immediate past chairman, will
not be gone. "
Noting that his successor works at
Ascent Resources, which is the largest
natural gas producer in Ohio, Levengood
suggests her perspective will help cement
the association's unity. " The conventional
and unconventional producers work together
so that the entire industry can continue
forward, " he emphasizes. " The conventional
producers hold leases that ultimately
will be drilled by the unconventional
producers. Meanwhile, the unconventional
producers are sensitive to our
cost concerns. "
Ohio oil and gas companies of all
sizes and strategies will gather for the
group's 2023 annual meeting on March
8-10 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.
Brundrett says the convention will cover
a broad range of subjects. " It will address
everything from federal and state plugging
efforts and hydrogen hubs to the important
considerations associated with environmental
justice, and how companies are
responding to federal challenges to infrastructure
permitting, " he details.
" We will discuss what our industry
should do about methane as we review
and comment on EPA's methane regulations, "
he continues. " We also will discuss
some service providers' newest technology
in the field. We are going to cover a lot
and encourage everyone to come out to a
premier event with great networking opportunities
and a lot of great time to
catch up with old friends. "
Looking back on OOGA's 2022 annual
meeting, Brundrett says the event made
a significant impression during his initial
weeks as the association's president.
" There was such a culture of inclusion
that it seemed like everyone knew each
other, regardless of whether that was actually
the case, " he recounts. " Everyone
was so excited to be there and so proud
of what they do that it brought a distinct
energy that cannot be replaced or artificially
created. "
❒
OOGA Chooses Finn As Top Officer
COLUMBUS, OH.-When the Ohio
Oil & Gas Association tapped Amanda
Finn to succeed Bruce Levengood as the
group's chairman in December, it was
the first time the group's Board of Trustees
elected a woman to the position. While
that's notable, OOGA President Rob
Brundrett indicates the more important
story is that Finn is the right leader at the
right time.
" We are excited to have our first female
chair, but we are even more excited about
the talents and skills Amanda brings to
the table, " Brundrett affirms. " She has
great political sense and we are excited
to work with her in this role. I think it is
going to be a great two years as she incorporates
her ideas into where she wants
to help take the association. "
Levengood, president of Sound Energy
Company Inc. in Dover, Oh., notes
that Finn has been deeply involved in
the association. " She has been on the
executive committee for many years, "
he observes. " Amanda is battle-tested
and understands the issues. I have not
spent as much time walking the halls of
the Capitol as she has. She understands
the legislature's sausage-making as well
as anybody who has held that position.
She also has a good grasp of the industry
as a whole. "
Levengood points out that Finn is the
director of external affairs for Ascent Re36
THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER
" The privilege of leading OOGA is not lost on
me. The talent, vast knowledge and drive of our
members are exceptional, and to be chosen to
lead them is a great honor. "
-Amanda Finn
OOGA Chairman
sources, the state's largest natural gas
producer. " It helps that she works for an
unconventional operator, " he considers.
" OOGA's conventional and unconventional
members need each other so we can all
continue forward. "
Finn expands on that industrywide
unity, and the strength it provides. " The
membership is made up of so much
more than whether you are a conventional
or unconventional operator, or in the
midstream or downstream sectors, " she
emphasizes. " It's a unified front, all
with their parts to providing clean, reliable
and American-made energy that
could not be done in any other way
than as a team. "
Finn promises to help maintain
OOGA's influential legacy throughout
Ohio's government and industry by adopting
new ideas but respecting its past.
That history, she notes, is a major source
of the credibility the association has
earned through decades as the go-to authority
on Ohio oil and gas issues.
" Not only is this based on the vast
expertise within the association, but
the relationships it has created and continues
to create with colleagues, elected
officials and our regulatory bodies, "
Finn reflects.
She credits significant aspects of those
relationships to a long line of successful
OOGA chairmen and presidents. " I can
only be grateful to be part of such a historic
group, " she comments. " Keeping
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