Marilyn Crockett to retire from AOGA after 41 years

On July 7, the 41st anniversary of her service with the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, Executive Director Marilyn Crockett announced she will be retiring from AOGA, effective Dec. 31.

“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work for the state’s largest private industry for my entire career and with the many professional Alaskans who, too, have contributed to the oil and gas industry in Alaska,” Crockett said. “My personal objective has been to grow Alaska’s economy by advocating for a vibrant oil and gas sector in our state.”

In her career with AOGA, Crockett has held several different positions, including administrator, exploration and production affairs representative, manager for environmental affairs, deputy director and, since 2007, executive director.

“Marilyn’s commitment and tenacity for the industry and Alaska is unparalleled,” said Ken Sheffield, both president of AOGA and president of Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska. “We will miss her, but wish her all the best on her well-deserved retirement.”

“I will miss AOGA, the issues, and the people very much,” Crockett said, “but I look forward to enjoying retirement with my husband and spending time with my family and grandchildren. Alaska will continue to be our home, and we will remain engaged in the issues facing Alaska.”

Pete Slaiby, vice president of Shell Alaska, said “it feels like Marilyn took the reins at AOGA about the same time Shell was making the push back into Alaska. Our strong focus on the offshore added a lot to her plate right away and she never missed a beat.

“Over the years Marilyn has proven an excellent champion for industry and for Alaska,” Slaiby said, wishing her “all the best” in future endeavors.

Carl Portman, deputy director of the Resource Development Council of Alaska, described Crockett’s career as “astonishing,” noting it began before the construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

“Marilyn has dedicated 41 years to growing Alaska’s economy through the responsible development of our vast oil and gas resources. Here at RDC, she has served many years on our executive committee, working with executives across all of Alaska’s resource industries, to address pressing issues, overcome challenges, and to expand Alaska’s economy.”

Phil Cochrane, vice-president of external affairs for BP in Alaska, agreed that Crockett has made “an enormous contribution to our industry and the state of Alaska,” but, he said, “it’s not just the work she has done, but how she has done it — with integrity and honesty.”

Bill Popp, president and CEO of Anchorage Economic Development Corp., described Crockett as a “consummate professional” who “set a standard of excellence we should all aspire to.”

Popp said Crockett will be “sorely missed in the important oil and gas debates in the coming year and beyond.

“She has been a steady hand at the wheel of AOGA. … Marilyn’s logical and fact-based approach to the issues has made her exceptionally effective,” he said.

CH2M HILL Vice President and RDC President Tom Maloney portrayed Crockett as a “true pioneer. …

“Her contributions to the Resource Development Council … on oil and gas, mining, fishing, forestry and tourism issues has been greatly appreciated by so many Alaskans,” he said.

One of AOGA’s newest members, Statoil, was equally complimentary of Crockett.

Bill Schoellhorn, the company’s exploration director for Alaska, said, “one of the first things Statoil did when it decided to make Alaska part of its exploration strategy was to join AOGA. Marilyn, through her leadership at AOGA, has provided us with invaluable insights and guidance into the important issues that drive the oil and gas industry in Alaska.”

Schoellhorn described Crockett as a “trusted friend for Statoil,” who made employees of the Norwegian company “feel welcome … easing our transition” into Alaska.

He congratulated her on “her long and dedicated service to AOGA” and wished her “well as she moves onto new challenges.”

AOGA’s board of directors has initiated a search for a new executive director and intends to fill the position before Crockett’s departure at the end of the year.

—Kay Cashman