Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association
The Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association of Oklahoma announced today that its longtime President, Michael H. Bernard, is retiring in June and that it will hire Chad Warmington, currently Executive Vice President of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, as its new President. Bernard will continue to serve the Association for a transitional period and will remain on the Board of Directors.
Bernard first joined the Association almost 30 years ago and became its President in 1993. Mike has been the face of Mid-Continent for 20 years and has stamped the organization with his integrity, sense of purpose and deep understanding of the oil and gas business. He has dealt with countless challenging issues and guided many efforts that resulted in beneficial changes for the industry in Oklahoma. He also kept the organization strong during periods of significant industry consolidation and difficult economic times. We really appreciate his willingness to continue sharing his knowledge with the Association as a member of the Board, said Rand Phipps, Chairman of Mid-Continent.
Warmington joined the State Chamber in 2010 to manage the political and government affairs operations for the statewide business organization. He previously served as Chief of Staff to three Speakers of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, most recently Chris Benge. His duties included serving as the chief negotiator with the Senate and Governor on behalf of the Speaker, along with managing the $19 million House of Representatives budget and 200 member staff. Prior to his legislative experience, Warmington served in a number of political roles, including a field representative for former U.S. Sen. Don Nickles and a campaign manager for the Corporation Commission races of Dana Murphy and Denise Bode.
”The energy industry is one of our states top economic drivers, and as the new President of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association of Oklahoma it will be my job to help the oil and gas industry continue to thrive in Oklahoma, said Warmington. I am excited to be a part of the team and look forward to bringing my energy and experience to this esteemed organization,” Warmington said.
The Association said Warmington’s “experience working with Congress, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the state Legislature and administrative agencies and the states largest business advocacy organization on issues important to oil and gas producers in our state will be an enormous asset for our Association, said Phipps. Chad understands the Oklahoma oil and gas industry from both the regulatory and legislative side and is uniquely qualified to assume his new position. I look forward to working with him to grow our organization and our industry in Oklahoma.”
The Association was founded in 1917, making it one of the oldest petroleum associations in the United States. Today, the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association of Oklahomas member companies are oil and gas producers, operators, purchasers, pipelines, transporters, processors and service companies representing a substantial sector of the oil and gas industry in the State of Oklahoma.
