News Release

ACC's Federal Affairs VP, Marty Durbin, Moves On

Takes High Level Post at API

ARLINGTON, VA (November 5, 2009) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced that its Vice President of Federal Affairs, Marty Durbin, will be leaving his position in early December to take a new post as Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Durbin has been with ACC for eight years, recently serving as Vice President of Federal Affairs where he coordinated federal advocacy efforts including direct lobbying, coalition building and management and ACC’s political giving.  Durbin had been Director of Federal and International Affairs at the American Plastics Council (APC) for seven years, coming to ACC when it merged with APC in 2001.  Before joining APC, Durbin worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant for members in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Marty has been a tremendous asset to ACC and our advocacy initiatives, and his departure will be felt throughout the Association and the membership.  I have known Marty for many years, having worked with him when I was in Congress and in my previous tenure at other trade associations.  He is a straightforward and effective advocacy leader – and API is very fortunate to have him coming there.  He certainly leaves big shoes to fill at ACC, and we wish him luck in his new endeavor,” said Cal Dooley, President and CEO of ACC.

Dooley said that Durbin’s leadership at ACC was most evident in the issues of chemical site security and rail transportation issues, both of which he testified on a number of times before Congress.  Durbin also helped ACC lead a coalition to overturn the moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, and other issues impacting energy supply and the climate debate for the energy-intensive chemical industry.

Durbin said, “I am grateful for the opportunities I had at ACC and immensely proud to have been part of ACC’s significant accomplishments.  The chance to work with such talented leaders as Cal Dooley and [former ACC President] Jack Gerard provided incredible learning opportunities and cannot be understated.  It has also been a pleasure to work with ACC’s member companies, who continue to be innovative and forward-thinking in both their business operations as well as in their advocacy.  I look forward to continuing building on the collaborative relationship between these two associations, and to continuing work on sustainable energy and environmental policy.”