Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program Announces New Executive Director
John Schlichter, a former State Representative and State Department of Agriculture leader to lead natural gas and oil program KENNEDY COPELAND | Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Eduright person to nurture important cation Program (OOGEEP) is proud relationships and guide OOGEEP to announce John Schlichter has into its bright future,” stated David been named Executive Director of Hill, chairman of the OOGEEP Board the nonprofit that has been dedicatof Directors. “The organization has ed to energy education and public many opportunities for growth right outreach for more than 20 years. now, and we need a leader who unJohn comes to OOGEEP with over derstands the state of the indus40 years of management and orgatry and the organization’s role as a nizational experience as a part of statewide educator – and John is exSchlichter Farms, Bluegrass Farms actly that.” of Ohio, Inc., and as Deputy Director for the Ohio Department of Agriculture. In addition, John served as a The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Edmember of the Ohio House of Repreucation Program (OOGEEP) is a sentatives, serving the 85th District non-profit statewide education and John Schlichter for six years, and previously served public outreach program. Created Executive Director Ohio Oil and Gas as a Fayette County Commissioner in 1998, OOGEEP provides a variety Energy Education Program for four years. of programs throughout the State “I am honored and humbled to be of Ohio on behalf of Ohio’s natua part of the nationally renowned and award-winning ral gas and crude oil producers. The primary goal of Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program and these programs is to educate Ohio’s general public serve on behalf of Ohio’s natural gas and oil produc- by focusing on industry research, teacher workshops, ers,” Schlichter said. “It is more important than ever scholarships, science fair, firefighter training, career to be out telling the story about the efforts of the and workforce development, landowner and guest producers in their quest to produce the energy and speaker programs. Engage with us via oogeep.org, products that are essential to every Ohioan.” like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and InSchlichter’s hiring comes as the program imple- stagram. ments a plan of strategic growth in outreach to the general public. Ohio is the nation’s sixth largest natural gas producer and has played a major role in making the United States a net energy exporter for the first time in nearly 70 years. As recent voter surveys indicate, Ohioans recognize the importance of safe, responsible energy development to communities, economic growth, and continued environmental progress. Under Schlichter’s leadership, OOGEEP will continue to advance that narrative through its fact-based, educational programming for the public, industry leaders and landowners, first-responders, teachers, regulators, and elected officials. “John’s experience and background makes him the
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OhioGas&Oil
AUGUST 2020
