Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) announced today the addition of a key member to its senior staff to lead the organization’s government affairs efforts. Jim Welty, a lifelong Pennsylvanian with more than 20 years of government relations experience, will serve as the MSC’s vice president, government affairs. Mr. Welty, a Westminster College and Widener University school of law graduate, will be based in the MSC’s Harrisburg office.
“The responsible development of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our entire region. To fully realize these shared environmental, economic and security benefits demands broad-based engagement with policymakers, elected leaders and regulators,” said Kathryn Klaber, chief executive officer of the MSC. “Jim’s more than two decades of experience working collaboratively with public officials on complex issues will serve our members well by advancing common sense solutions aimed at protecting our environment, generating jobs and revenue, and long-term energy security and affordability for the Commonwealth.”
Prior to joining the MSC, Mr. Welty served as a government relations professional at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and K&L Gates, where he represented a diverse set of clients in Harrisburg. Mr. Welty, who resides in Cumberland County, also served as vice president of legislative and corporate affairs at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the commonwealth’s largest business advocacy organization and was the Pennsylvania state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
“Jim is a respected professional who has deep experience working with both Democrats and Republicans to advance meaningful, impactful outcomes,” continued Klaber. “We look forward to his leadership in advocating on behalf of our approximately 300 member companies to ensure that we continue to get this historic opportunity right.”
Welty joins the Coalition’s management team, led by Klaber, working alongside Andrew Paterson, vice president, technical and regulatory; Steve Forde, vice president, policy and communications; and Robert Petrilli, vice president, finance and administration; and will work closely in Harrisburg with Amber Benzon, director, government affairs.
