David Callahan to assume leadership of top natural gas advocacy organization

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) president David Spigelmyer announced his retirement today after nearly 40-years of service to the natural gas industry, the past seven years leading the Coalition, during the organization’s winter virtual membership meeting. David Callahan, who most recently was a vice president with JKLM Energy and has served as vice chair of the MSC’s executive board, will succeed Spigelmyer in the leadership role.

“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to lead this organization alongside our talented staff and with the full-support and trust from our members. When we formed the MSC over a decade ago, we saw the generational opportunity that natural gas presented the Commonwealth,” Mr. Spigelmyer said. “I’m proud of our work that’s allowed all Pennsylvanians to realize shale’s many benefits. Natural gas development has delivered commodity prices in Pennsylvania that are less than half of what they were a dozen years ago and is generating widespread economic opportunity, a cleaner, healthier climate, and lifting billions around the world out of energy poverty. Domestic and global demand for clean, affordable natural gas will continue to rise and Pennsylvania is well-positioned to lead in that effort. As our nation moves to greater use of renewable forms of electricity, there is no better transition partner to ensure reliability than clean-burning natural gas.”   

Under Mr. Spigelmyer’s leadership, the MSC has remained one of the country’s leading voices on American shale development. Mr. Spigelmyer was instrumental in the organization’s 2009 formation and served as board chair prior to assuming his role in 2013.

“Dave retires with a remarkable legacy of successfully leading this industry in becoming an integral, essential part of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said MSC chairman and MPLX assistant general counsel Christopher Rimkus. “Throughout his service to the MSC, Dave has forged a deep partnership with the skilled building trades, led efforts to modernize regulations, guided the development of best practices, and was a fierce advocate for the safe production, transportation and use of domestic natural gas. I’ll miss working closely with Dave and, on behalf of our entire membership, wish him the best in retirement.”

Mr. Callahan joins the MSC from JKLM Energy, where he was vice president, external affairs. Throughout his career, Mr. Callahan has been an effective leader who’s built strong relationships among industry leaders, elected officials and regulators. Mr. Callahan has been involved with the MSC since its founding, serving in numerous board and committee capacities as well as the lead government affairs staff role. Prior to JKLM Energy, Mr. Callahan was a vice president at MarkWest Energy Partners, vice president of the MSC and has served in API Pennsylvania leadership roles.

“Thanks to Dave Spigelmyer’s leadership, the MSC is an effective, well-run organization that puts our members’ advocacy goals and people first,” Mr. Callahan said. “I’m honored to have the confidence and trust of MSC’s members and look forward to leading this organization’s next chapter focused on broadening the economic and environmental opportunities made possible by natural gas.”

A Bradford, Pa. native, Mr. Callahan is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University. He will assume the MSC president role on February 1.

“David Callahan’s deep sector experience, humility, thoughtfulness and ability to build results-focused consensus will strengthen the MSC’s ability to effectively advocate for policy solutions that ensure our region’s energy industry will continue to thrive,” Mr. Rimkus continued. “We’re excited to welcome him to the job.”   

Click HERE for a high resolution photo of incoming president David Callahan.

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Founded in 2008, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) works with exploration and production, midstream and supply chain partners in the Appalachian Basin and across the country to address issues regarding the production, transportation and use of clean, job-creating, American natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays.