(Rigzone) The American Petroleum Institute (API) has announced that Phillips 66 Chairman and CEO Greg Garland will serve as chairman of the API’s board of directors for a two-year term.

Garland recently served the board as chair of the finance committee and succeeds Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Darren Woods, who will remain a member of API’s executive committee.

A chemical engineer, Garland has more than 30 years of industry experience in technical and executive leadership positions within the natural gas and oil and chemicals industries. Garland has previously worked for ConocoPhillips and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

Commenting on his new role, Garland said, “I’m honored to lead API’s board during such a dynamic time for the industry and look forward to working together to build on our nation’s energy progress”.

API President and CEO Mike Sommers said, “Greg’s dynamic leadership and vision for our nation’s energy future will be invaluable assets to API during a critical time in our industry’s history”.

“API is extremely fortunate to have Greg’s expertise as the natural gas and oil industry continues to address the challenge of meeting growing energy demand while driving environmental progress,” he added.

“Our industry has been extraordinarily fortunate to have the leadership of Darren Woods throughout his chairmanship, and I am especially grateful for his guidance and wisdom from the beginning of my tenure here at API,” Sommers continued.

Earlier this month, the API said it bolstered its advocacy team with new federal relations and communications hires.

Jack Cramton joined the API’s federal relations team as a director, Bethany Aronhalt joined the API’s communications team as a spokesperson and Chris Carroll joined the API’s communications team as a senior writer.

On January 7, the API launched a nationwide TV and digital ad campaign which it said highlights the natural gas and oil industry’s leadership in reducing emissions to record low levels.

The API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry and has more than 600 members who produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy, according to the API, which highlighted that the industry supports 10.9 million U.S. jobs. The API was formed in 1919.