The Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA) shuffled its executive organization last week, yet its hunt for a new president continues. The NGSA said it still does not have a timeline for an appointment to the presidency post, but it hopes to get the job filled quickly. Sources indicated, however, the search may take longer than initially anticipated.

Richard Sharples, president of Anadarko Energy Services Co., has taken over as NGSA chairman. Sharples said despite the search for a president, the NGSA will be moving ahead on several issues. A top priority for the association, Sharples said, was to work with FERC on the NOPR and NOI (See NGI, Jan.11, March 15).

Another of Sharples’ goals is to make the association more cost effective. “Over the past few years, NGSA has been able to reduce members’ dues by approximately 35%, and we will continue to look for ways to be even more efficient. The association also has named a committee of senior executives to conduct a search for a new president of the organization and to review NGSA’s organizational structure to make sure that we are meeting our members’ needs and are providing value.” Spokeswoman Linda Schoumacher said no dues or budgetary cuts have been announced yet.

NGI reported last month Katherine Edwards, a Washington attorney, was on a short list of candidates for NGSA’s presidency. (See NGI, March 22) Schoumacher declined to comment on the list, saying “We’ll announce a short list of one when we’ve found our president.” The association has gone without a president since mid-February, when Nicholas Bush, was put on administrative leave without pay due to an investigation and lawsuit accusing him of misappropriating more than $2 million from the group since the late 1980s. (See NGI, Feb. 22)

The psecretary and treasurer will be Terry Hudgens, president of Texaco Natural Gas – North America. Hudgens has held his position at Texaco since 1996 and has been responsible for all aspects of the company’s North American natural gas business.

J Larry Nichols, CEO of Devon Energy, was re-appointed vice chairman of the association and Roberta Luxbacher, vice president natural gas, Exxon Co., retained her post as chair of the NGSA’s Alternative Regulation Task Force.

John Norris

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