CEO Arrivals

Wilker to lead petroleum geologists group

The $15M-revenue American Association of Petroleum Geologists announced Thomas Wilker has been named executive director of the group, effective May 5. He succeeds David Curtiss, who stepped down at the end of 2024 after nearly 14 years at the helm.

“Tom has all the business skill sets and foundational geoscience knowledge that we were looking for to move AAPG forward,” said Deborah Sacrey, AAPG president. “We know he will be a great asset for the organization for many years to come.”

Wilker has spent the past two years as chief operating officer of oil and gas training company PetroSkills. Previously, he was senior vice president of subsurface at information services company Wood Mackenzie. He was also a principal at private equity company The Carlyle Group.

Staff Arrivals

American Beverage—Franklin Davis has been promoted from vice president of federal government relations to vice president, head of federal affairs. He joined $106M-revenue AB in 2012 as director of federal affairs before being named senior director of federal affairs in 2014. He previously spent three years at the American Subcontractors Association.

American Council on Renewable Energy—Stephanie Genco has joined $10M-revenue ACORE as senior vice president for communications. She most recently was director of communications at mining company Fortescue. 

American Veterinary Medical Association—Paul Gage has joined $52M-revenue AVMA as director for the federal government relations division. He previously spent nearly four years at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

California Water Environmental Association—Sue Alexander has joined $5.5M-revenue CWEA as director of education. She joins the group from her consulting firm SPIRE Consulting, where she has worked for the past seven years. Previously, she was director of meetings, marketing and membership at the American College of Phlebology.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Cruise Lines International Association—Brian Beall has returned to $35M-revenue CLIA as vice president of government affairs. He most recently served as director of the national travel and tourism office in the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration.

International Code Council—Aaron Levy is now vice president of government relations at $100M-revenue ICC. He most recently was division chief for outreach and external affairs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Previously, he spent over 13 years at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

U.S Chamber of Commerce—Doug Andres has joined the $197M-revenue Chamber as vice president of political communications. He most recently spent six years as national press secretary and senior adviser to former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Previously, he was a top spokesperson for former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).