01-04-2015

Chet M. Thompson named as AFPM President

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) today announced that its Board of Directors has named Chet M. Thompson the association’s next president effective May 4, 2015. Mr. Thompson, currently a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell and Moring LLP, will succeed Charles T. Drevna, who is retiring after eight years as AFPM’s president

“The refining and petrochemical industries are important contributors to the nation’s economic outlook and while we face extraordinary regulatory challenges, Chet Thompson brings more than 20 years of experience in the energy and environment sector to his new role as president,” AFPM Chairman Greg Goff said in making the announcement. “We are confident in Chet’s ability to lead AFPM as the voice and vision of the refining and petrochemical industries throughout the coming years.”

Mr. Thompson has represented AFPM as external counsel for nine years at Crowell and Moring, where he is chairman of the Environment & Natural Resources Group, one of the country’s premier environmental practices. His practice includes counseling, litigation, and regulatory and legislative representation for a wide array of clients under major environmental statutes, including the Clean Air Act; the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Resource Conservation Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability and Recovery Act.

The search for Drevna’s successor was headed by former AFPM Chairman David L. Lamp, president and CEO of Northern Tier Energy GP, LLC. “Our issues are complex and increasingly political, and we believe there to be no better person than Chet Thompson to manage AFPM’s strategic direction,” Lamp said.

Mr. Thompson will help to amplify the importance of the refining and petrochemical industries and their positive impact on U.S. manufacturing, jobs growth, energy independence and national security. 

Prior to joining Crowell and Moring in 2006, Mr. Thompson served as deputy general counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he provided legal advice to the Agency’s administrator, general counsel, and program offices. Before joining EPA in 2004, Mr. Thompson spent 10 years at Collier Shannon Scott PLLC, where his work focused on the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

From 2008 to 2014, Mr. Thompson was recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the U.S. by Chambers & Partners, and was awarded a Certificate of Accommodation by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a J.D. from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law.