12 minute read
2021 Convention Speakers
Mr. Ryan Jackson Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs National Mining Association
Ryan Jackson is responsible for the National Mining Association’s government and political affairs. He brings over 20 years of experience reaching bipartisan achievements. As chief of staff for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Jackson successfully negotiated the U.S. Senate confirmation votes of two EPA administrators, nine assistant administrators, and inspector general candidates and recruited well over 100 additional political appointees producing EPA’s regulatory agenda which included the Affordable Clean Energy Rule and the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. As staff director for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee he led the negotiations for the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, the first major environmental legislation enacted in twenty years, principal national transportation and water infrastructure legislation, and the enactment of over 60 other bipartisan bills. Mr. Jackson began his career in Oklahoma as an assistant district attorney and as chief of staff for U.S. Senator James M. Inhofe receiving his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and J.D. from Oklahoma City University. “Securing a merican's Supply Chain Must Begin with Strengthening the Minerals Industry”
Mr. Chris Greissing President Industrial Minerals Association – North America Chris Greissing is the President of the Industrial Minerals Association – North America (IMA-NA). Chris has been with IMA for 14 years, and brings an extensive knowledge of Capitol Hill to the staff. Before coming to IMA-NA, Chris worked within the health care and food service industries lobbying and providing counsel to clients on a wide variety of federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry. Prior to that, Chris began his career by working on Capitol Hill for Congressman Fred Upton. Chris holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and a J.D. from California Western School of Law in San Diego, CA, and is admitted to the DC Bar.
Chris resides in Reston, VA with his wife Sharon and three daughters.
Mr. Landon Stropko Co-Chair for Energy Invariant Government Relations
Landon Stropko is an experienced Republican policy counsel with over a decade of service in the House and Senate. He cochairs Invariant’s energy practice, where his political savvy and coalition-building experience serve clients on issues including appropriations, aviation, homeland security, natural resources, and taxes. His work with startups helps small businesses with big ideas amplify their Washington presence and navigate a complex regulatory, legislative, and political landscape. Landon most recently served as legislative director for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), overseeing a broad portfolio including tax and health care reform for the Senator’s work on the Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees. He previously ran the 50-member Congressional Western Caucus and was chief of staff to Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). His leadership guided the caucus on energy, environment, and natural resource issues and secured wins through appropriations and authorizing legislation. Landon holds a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and graduated from the University of Wyoming. He helps small businesses with big ideas amplify their Washington presence and navigate a complex regulatory, legislative, and political landscape.
Mr. Andrew Emrich Partner Holland and Hart
As a partner with Holland & Hart LLP, Andrew Emrich has successfully represented a wide range of mining clients in significant litigation, regulatory, and permitting efforts. He has extensive knowledge of the legislative and regulatory processes impacting the mining sector, and regularly defends mining companies in litigation and administrative appeals when their interests are challenged by organizations opposing minerals development. Andrew currently serves as the contributing editor for the International Comparative Legal Guide for Mining Law. Before joining Holland & Hart in 2005, Andrew served in the George W. Bush Administration as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General at the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he both litigated significant environmental and natural resources cases and helped develop and implement litigation strategy for federal agencies in courts throughout the country. Prior to his service at the Justice Department, Andrew was Legislative Counsel to U.S. Senator Michael Enzi in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and the University of Wyoming College of Law.
Ms. Holly Krutka, PhD Executive Director University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources Holly Krutka is the Executive Director of the School of Energy Resources at the University of Wyoming. She came to the university after serving as the Vice President for coal generation and emissions technologies at Peabody, the world’s largest private-sector coal producer. Dr. Krutka has spent much of her career focusing on technology and policy pathways to advance carbon capture as well as identifying nontraditional coal-consumption opportunities. Before joining Peabody, she worked as a senior research and development analyst for Tri-State Generation and Transmission, an electric generation and transmission cooperative based in Westminster, Colo.; as executive editor of Cornerstone, The Official Journal of the World Coal Industry, employed by the Chinese state-owned energy company Shenhua Group; and as a research scientist and senior research engineer with ADA Environmental Solutions in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where she was tasked with launching a carbon capture research program. In her various roles, Dr. Krutka holds three patents, has served in leadership positions in the National Coal Council and the Carbon Utilization Research Council, has participated in the Carbon Capture Coalition and as a judge on the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE competition. Dr. Krutka holds a bachelor’s degree, graduating magna cum laude, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, both in chemical engineering.
“Building the Mining Workforce with CTE Students”
Mr. Rob Hill Chairman Wyoming SkillsUSA Rob Hill teaches the Core Construction program at the Pathways Innovation Center in Casper. Prior to teaching, he worked in the multi-family construction industry. Mr. Hill serves the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education as the Public Policy Chairman and the Board President of Wyoming SkillsUSA. Hill has a BS in Industrial Technology Education from the University of Wyoming and MA in Director of CTE Ball State University. His students partner with Casper College’s architecture program to design and build homes that are marketed and sold to the general public. Students earn industry credentials and college credits as they build. Advocacy of Career and Technical Education, and educational alignment to business and industry, are Mr. Hill’s primary professional emphasis. He is a past recipient of the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement award, Wyoming ACTE Teacher of the Year and Innovative Program awardee. He is married to Jackie Hill and has two boys at home-Jackson and Tyler.”
Mr. David Gattie, PhD Associate Professor of Engineering University of Georgia
David Gattie is an Associate Professor of Engineering in the University of Georgia’s (UGA) College of Engineering, and a Senior Fellow in the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Center for International Trade and Security. He earned his BS and PhD from UGA and has 14 years of private industry experience as an energy services engineer and environmental engineer. His research is in the area of energy policy and integrated energy resource planning for the power sector with a focus on the national security implications of US nuclear power. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in energy systems and energy security for the College of Engineering and for the Center for International Trade and Security’s Master of International Policy program. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University and as an uncompensated member on the Advocacy Council for Nuclear Matters. David also has provided testimony before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on energy, climate and nuclear power policy and before the Georgia Public Service Commission. David is currently working with his colleagues in UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security to stand up an Energy Security Initiative focused on the geopolitical and national security implications of energy and energy technologies within the challenges of 21st century great power competition. novative Program awardee. The Honorable Randall Luthi Chief Energy Policy Advisor Governor Mark Gordon
Randall Luthi is the Chief Energy Policy Advisor to Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. He joined the Gordon administration after serving nearly 10 years as President of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), a membership association representing all facets of the domestic offshore energy industry. Prior to joining NOIA, Luthi worked at the Department of the Interior, serving as Director of the Minerals Management Service and Deputy Director of the Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service. An attorney and rancher from Freedom, Luthi was first elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 1995 and served as Speaker in 2005 and 2006. During his tenure as a state legislator he served on the Judiciary Committee, Management Audit Committee, and Management Council. He founded the law firm of Luthi & Voyles, LLC, in Thayne, Wyoming in 2000. Luthi earned Bachelor of Science and law degrees from the University of Wyoming.
“2021 Changes to the Mining Regulatory Framework”
Mr. Todd Parfitt Director Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Todd Parfitt was appointed Director of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) by Governor Matt Mead in October 2012 and subsequently reappointed in January 2019 by newly elected Governor Mark Gordon. He has 27 years of experience with the department, including seven years in the dual role of Deputy Director and Administrator of the Industrial Siting Division. After earning his Master’s degree in Public Administration, Environmental Policy from The Ohio State University, he worked for the Ohio Fire Marshal as an Environmental Supervisor. Parfitt also spent time in the private sector as Director of Operations for the environmental consulting firm BHE Environmental. Parfitt began his career with WYDEQ in Lander, Wyoming in 1992. He moved to Cheyenne in 1996 and has worked in or closely with just about every part of the agency. Parfitt currently serves as the immediate past President of the Environmental Council of States (ECOS).
Mr. Glen Murrell, PhD Executive Director Wyoming Energy Authority
Dr. Glen Murrell has over two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry and is the inaugural Executive Director for the Wyoming Energy Authority. He previously worked for the University of Wyoming Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute, launching their reservoir data program and leading programs analyzing the CO2 EOR industry in the State. Dr. Murrell has also served in a variety of leadership roles aimed at advancing projects and technologies in the oil and gas industry for General Electric and Baker Hughes.
Ms. Erin Campbell, PhD Director and State Geologist Wyoming State Geological Survey
Dr. Erin Campbell was appointed as Wyoming State Geologist by Governor Matt Mead in 2017 and reappointed by Governor Mark Gordon in 2019. In this position she serves as Director of the Wyoming State Geological Survey, as a cabinet member for the governor of Wyoming, and as a commissioner for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission and the Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission.
She is also a member of the Wyoming Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, the Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists, State Groundwater Coordination Committee, the State GIS Advisory Board, and the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Occidental College and a PhD in geology from the University of Wyoming specializing in structural geology. She worked for several years as a geologist for Chevron in Louisiana and California before returning to Wyoming to teach at the University of Wyoming. During her 15 years at UW, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, directed the Geology Field Camp, and conducted research in structural geology, petroleum geology, and geomechanics. She was manager of the Energy and Mineral Resources division at the Wyoming State Geological Survey before being appointed as state geologist.
safety award luncheon
The Honorable Mark Gordon
Governor of Wyoming Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming’s 33rd Governor, on Nov. 6, 2018. He was sworn into office on Janu-
ary 7, 2019. Growing up on the family ranch in Johnson County, Governor Gordon learned the values of hard work and integrity and the importance of working together. As Governor, he brings those values to the table in pursuing his commitment that Wyoming continues to be a place where its citizens can pursue their dreams while retaining its unique character. He is a strong believer in Wyoming’s ability to chart its own course and a staunch defender of its interests to do so.
Governor Gordon is working on efforts to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path and making government more accessible, productive and efficient. As part of those efforts, Gordon seeks to refocus government to better assist local communities with the tools and resources needed to thrive and set their own direction. He is also dedicated to ensuring that citizens have access to quality education, including safer schools, advanced degrees, and career and technical education opportunities.
Governor Gordon served as Wyoming State Treasurer from October 2012 until January 2019 when he was sworn in as Governor. As State Treasurer, he led a transformation of the office resulting in improved returns on state investments, better protection of state savings, and increased transparency and access to state financial data for the public. His efforts to improve transparency surrounding the state’s financial portfolio resulted in Wyoming being ranked number one in the United States for transparency and third in the world among all sovereign funds. Governor Gordon and his wife Jennie have four grown children, Anne, Aaron with wife Megan, Bea with husband Austen, and Spencer with wife Sarah and their son Everett.
