Meet Our Staff
The staff of AOPL represents the industry in the nation's capital and helps to coordinate the pipeline industry's ongoing Joint Environmental Safety Initiative.
Andrew J. Black, President
Mr. Black joined AOPL in September 2009. He previously served as Director, Federal Government Relations for the El Paso Corporation. Prior to that Mr. Black was FERC's Director of the Office of External Affairs and the Deputy Staff Director of Policy for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. Black has a BS in Economics from Texas Christian University and an MBA from the University of Maryland.
Contact: (202) 292-4500; ablack@aopl.org
Steven M. Kramer, General Counsel
Steven M. Kramer joined AOPL as General Counsel in October 2008. Mr. Kramer has more than 20 years of experience practicing energy law, both in private practice and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Upon graduating from the University of Richmond Law School, Mr. Kramer was an attorney-advisor in the Office of Administrative Law Judges at FERC, and he later served as an attorney in FERC's Office of General Counsel. Beyond his experience at FERC, Mr. Kramer has been in private practice. Prior to joining AOPL, Mr. Kramer was head of the energy regulatory practice at the international law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy LLP, and previously practiced with Fulbright and Jaworski L.L.P and Gallagher, Boland and Meiburger, LLP. Mr. Kramer has experience in a wide range of energy regulatory and policy issues, including rate, service, tariff, contract, industry restructuring and rulemaking matters. In addition, he has handled regulatory and strategic issues on energy transactions, project development and financings.
Mr. Kramer earned an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Maryland and his law degree from the University of Richmond. He is an active member of the Energy Bar Association, having served as an officer, on the Board of Directors and on various committees. Mr. Kramer has also published many articles and made numerous presentations on energy issues.
Contact: (202) 292-4502; skramer@aopl.org
Brydon Ross, Government Relations Director
Brydon Ross joined AOPL in January 2010. Mr. Ross worked for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) as a research assistant and focused on clean air and transportation issues. In 2005 he worked as a legislative assistant for former US Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) where he handled the appropriations work, Energy and Natural Resources Committee work, agriculture, environment, and FEMA policy issues. Prior to joining the Association Mr. Ross served as Deputy Legislative Director for Senator George LeMieux (R-FL).
Mr. Ross received his undergraduate degree in History from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and his MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College.
Contact: (202) 292-4509; bross@aopl.org
Adrianne Cook, Manager, Policy, Regulatory, and Legal Analysis
Ms. Cook joined AOPL in July 2007. Prior to joining the Association, Ms. Cook was a regulatory and telecommunications attorney with RJGLaw, LLC, in Silver Spring, MD, focusing on next generation wireless technologies and universal service. Ms. Cook also worked as a regulatory analyst at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, DC from 2003-2004. Her interests include energy and telecommunications regulations and policy, and business development. She authored an article entitled Broadband over Power Line: The Potential Future of the Internet, that was published by the American Bar Association, Section for Public Utility, Communications and Transportation in September 2004.
Ms. Cook holds a JD from The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is currently pursuing a MBA at George Mason University. Ms. Cook also has a BS in Business Management from Clemson University. She is an active member of the Energy Bar Association, the Women's Council on Energy and the Environment, the Federal Communications Bar Association, and the Junior League of Northern Virginia.
Contact: (202) 292-4508; acook@aopl.org
Heather Keith, Director, Programs and Administration
Contact: (202) 292-4507; hkeith@aopl.org
