Stalwart in gas industry, coalition president retiring
A leader who has influenced the natural gas industry for almost four decades is retiring.
David Spigelmyer, who has served as the Marcellus Shale Coalition's president for seven years, announced his retirement at the coalition's winter virtual membership meeting.
The coalition works with partners in the Appalachian Basin and across the United States to address issues in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.
Spigelmyer said it has been an honor to lead the coalition.
“When we formed the MSC over a decade ago, we saw the generational opportunity that natural gas presented the commonwealth,” he said in a news release. “I'm proud of our work that's allowed all Pennsylvanians to realize shale's many benefits.”
Under Spigelmyer's leadership, the coalition has remained one of the country's leading voices on American shale development, according to the coalition news release.
Spigelmyer was instrumental in the organization's 2009 formation and served as board chairman before assuming his role in 2013.
Kim Geyer, county commissioner, said Butler County was fortunate to have a native as president of the coalition.
She said Spigelmyer's efforts to educate the general public on shale gas development was commendable.
“Butler County has been more than grateful for the partnership in which he took an active interest and worked with us, was always available to answer questions and be a resource, and very much cared about the environment and energy activity throughout Butler County pertaining to this industry,” Geyer said.
Coalition Chairman Christopher Rimkus said Spigelmyer retires with a legacy of leading the shale gas industry by becoming an integral part of the state economy.“Throughout his service to the MSC, Dave has forged a deep partnership with the skilled building trades, led efforts to modernize regulations, guided the development of best practices and was a fierce advocate for the safe production, transportation and use of domestic natural gas,” Rimkus said.Leadership changeThe position of president of the coalition will be assumed by David Callahan, who most recently served as vice president of external affairs at JKLM Energy in Sewickley, Allegheny County.Callahan has been involved with the coalition since its founding, serving in numerous board and committee capacities and in the lead government affairs staff role.Before taking on the coalition's top job, Callahan was a vice president at MarkWest Energy Partners and vice president of the coalition and has served in leadership roles at API Pennsylvania, which is an organization dedicated to bettering the Asian Pacific Islander communities across the state.“I'm honored to have the confidence and trust of MSC's members and look forward to leading this organization's next chapter focused on broadening the economic and environmental opportunities made possible by natural gas,” Callahan said.A Bradford, Pa., native, Callahan earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from Syracuse University.He will take his seat as coalition president Feb. 1.
