Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications
As the Independent Petroleum Association of America’s Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Jennifer advocates IPAA’s issue positions to the news media, government, the public, industry, and others. IPAA is the national trade association representing the 6,000 independent, U.S. companies that drill 90 percent of America’s oil and natural gas wells.
Jennifer works closely with IPAA’s government relations and executive team to form the association’s communications strategy – this includes producing and editing news and opinion articles, letters, press releases, fact sheets, newsletters, and social media content on the issues affecting oil and natural gas producers. She coordinates media interviews, and also works with the IPAA events and education teams on media plans for their initiatives. Jennifer also leads communications initiatives for the Natural Gas Council, for which IPAA is the current chair organization.
Before joining IPAA in 2018, Jennifer served as communications director and press secretary for Congressman Lamar Smith of Texas in our nation’s capital. Prior to her time on Capitol Hill, she worked for the non-profit Charles Koch Institute, and two public affairs firms in which she supported clients in the energy, technology and aerospace sectors.
Jennifer graduated from the University of Texas with degrees in Government and Communications Studies. She recently relocated from the Washington, D.C. area to Austin, Texas and is excited to serve on the Associate Advisory Council of the University of Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center.