SHAWN BENNETT

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Oil and Natural Gas
US Department of Energy

Shawn Bennett is Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Oil and Natural Gas in the US Department of Energy. He oversees the Offices of Research, Regulation and International Engagement, and Technology Transfer administering oil and gas programs including research and development, analysis, and natural gas regulation. Shawn has more than a decade of experience in public affairs and government relations for both the oil and gas and coal industries. Most recently, he served as the Executive Vice President for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA), a non-profit trade association that is dedicated to representing Ohio oil and gas producers. The organization represents over 2,000 members in all aspects of the exploration, production and development of crude oil and natural gas resources in Ohio. His role at OOGA included overseeing all federal and state legislative and regulatory activities in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, DC. Prior to joining OOGA, Shawn was the Director of Strategic Communications for FTI Consulting (2011-2014). There he worked with business leaders, elected officials, and residents in eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania regarding safety and economic benefits of oil and gas exploration.