Jack N. Gerard

Jack N. Gerard is an industry lobbyist who led the National Mining Association from 2001 to 2005, before moving to the American Chemistry Council as its president. In June 2008, he announced that he would be assuming leadership of the American Petroleum Institute (API) in autumn 2008.

Gerard told the Washington Post, regarding his new position at API: "When industries are confronted by challenges, they tend to get shellshocked and step back into the foxhole. ... My philosophy is the opposite. Industries need someone to step forward and make the case when people don't understand them. ... Because there's a lot of anxiety in the Congress about the industry, we have to step forward and be compelling in our advocacy. It's not a time to be bashful. The more transparent the discussion, the better off we'll be."


 * Corporate Council, The Conservation Fund

American Chemistry Council
During the years that Gerard led the ACC, "infighting [between member factions] ceased, 33 new companies joined and several large defectors returned, including Chevron, Phillips Chemical and Huntsman. When Gerard first came aboard, the American Chemistry Council faced an $8 million deficit; it now has a $10 million reserve."

Gerard strongly supported ACC's multi-million dollar "essential2" advertising and PR campaign. An ACC press release quoted Gerard as saying: "'essential2' makes a powerful statement about how connected we all are and how central chemistry is to the health and growth of our nation. For example, the chemistry industry is America's leading exporter, accounting for 10 percent of all U.S. exports, and we generate more than half a trillion dollars for the U.S. economy each year."

While at ACC, Gerard also "cut costs by reducing staff and streamlining the group's operations. Gerard also focused ACC's lobbying efforts on several core issues, including the rising cost of natural gas and chemical plant security."

Background
According to his profile on the ACC website, Gerard "and the ACC have been named among the 'Best of K Street' in an edition of The Hill newspaper's listing of top advocates. He was also ranked 14th in the ICIS 2007 Top 40 Power Players in global chemicals."

Gerard was also "a founding partner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government relations consulting firm. He and founding partner, former U.S. Senator James McClure, focused on issues such as international sports, telecommunications, energy and mining. Mr. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives."

SourceWatch resources

 * American Chemistry Council
 * American Petroleum Institute
 * National Mining Association

Articles

 * Glenn Hess, "ACC's Gerard Moves On: Chemical industry leader accepts top job at API," Chemical & Engineering News, June 9, 2008.
 * Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "A Rising Star in the Hold-Your-Nose Industries," Washington Post, June 17, 2008.