Current president David Callahan to retire, 11+ year MSC veteran Jim Welty to assume leadership of state’s top natural gas advocacy organization
PITTSBURGH, PA – November 20, 2024 – The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) announced today that its president, David Callahan, will retire at the end of the year after decades of service to Pennsylvania’s energy industry. Mr. Callahan shared his plans with the MSC Board several months ago, where it was decided beginning January 1, 2025, Jim Welty, MSC’s vice president of government affairs, will assume the role of president.
“Leading the MSC has been an incredible honor, both professionally and personally. Success starts with people, and our industry, as well as MSC’s talented staff, are second to none,” Mr. Callahan said. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many exceptional people who all care deeply about our energy, economic and environmental future. I have full confidence in Jim’s leadership, especially his advocacy and policy talents, to drive our organization’s success forward.”
Callahan, who has been involved with the MSC since its founding and became President in 2021, has been instrumental in advancing the Coalition’s mission of promoting the responsible development, transportation and use of natural gas. Under his leadership, the MSC strengthened its advocacy efforts and enhanced membership, forging strong membership-level partnerships with regional skilled labor unions and working closely with state and local stakeholders at every step of the way to promote the benefits of clean and abundant Pennsylvania natural gas.
“Dave’s tenure at the MSC, and in the industry prior, has been marked by professionalism, decency, fierce loyalty and significant member- and industry-focused value creation,” said MSC Board Chair and Pennsylvania General Energy Company General Counsel Lisa McManus. “As we look ahead, Jim’s leadership and deep industry understanding positions us strongly to continue our important work advocating for Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry and its critical contributions to our economy and environment. Our board wishes Dave the best in his retirement, which is well-earned, and is eager for Jim to maintain our positive momentum.”
Mr. Welty, a Westminster College and Widener University Commonwealth Law School graduate, brings decades of public policy and management experience. Since 2013, he has served as MSC’s vice president of government affairs and has played an essential role in shaping and advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities on behalf of the natural gas industry and its employees in Pennsylvania.
“I’m humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead the MSC and provide a continued voice for an industry that has done so much to advance economic and environmental progress. Dave has been a tremendous leader and mentor to me and the rest of the MSC staff, and I look forward to carrying on his legacy and building upon the foundation that he and his predecessors have laid. I am privileged and excited to continue to work with our talented and dedicated staff, who every day provide unparalleled service to and for our members and the natural gas industry at-large,” said Welty. “I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in Pennsylvania to ensure the Commonwealth remains a global leader in responsible natural gas development, transportation and use.”
Prior to joining the MSC, Mr. Welty served in various leadership positions at the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and K&L Gates law firms, representing several exploration and production clients in the nascent days of the Marcellus shale boom. He also has held leadership positions with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Commonwealth’s largest business advocacy organization, and Pennsylvania’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). Jim resides in Cumberland County with his family.
MSC director of government affairs, Patrick Henderson, who has over 25 years of experience in the legislative and executive branches of Pennsylvania’s government and has been with the MSC since 2015, will assume the role of vice president of government affairs and communications for the organization.
