WASHINGTON, D.C., May 2, 2013—API today announced the appointment of Christopher Rager as the oil and natural gas trade association’s director of state relations.

“Rager has a strong background in creating and running legislative, political, grassroots and PAC campaigns. His federal and state legislative experience will go a long way to effectively advocating our industry’s interests,” said API Senior Director of State Government Relations Rolf Hanson. “He understands that the oil and natural gas industry is a critical component for economic development in the United States.”

Prior to joining API, Rager represented the National Rifle Association as a senior state liaison. Rager has also served by presidential appointment as director of legislative affairs with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and as deputy associate director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, under President George W. Bush.

Rager is a graduate of Lycoming College where he received his BA in economics.

API is a national trade association that represents all segments of America’s technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 500 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers $85 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.