America's Wetland Foundation

David Keane Named Chair of America's WETLAND Foundation's Industry Council

By: America's WETLAND Foundation | 7.10.2012

DAVID KEANE NAMED CHAIR OF AMERICA’S WETLAND FOUNDATION’S INDUSTRY COUNCIL

NEW ORLEANS – David Keane, BG Group Vice President of Policy and Corporate Affairs, has been appointed to a two-year term as chairman of the America’s Energy Coast (AEC) Industry Council, a Gulf Coast initiative of the America’s WETLAND Foundation.
 
Keane, who has been active in the work and programs of the AEC since its founding, assumes the leadership post from Gary Serio, Entergy Vice President of Safety and Environment. The group represents many of the most prominent industry leaders from the region and develops regional recommendations for sustainable solutions, coastal protection and restoration along the Gulf Coast.

“David has brought us a world view that has made him an outstanding member of America’s Energy Coast,” said R. King Milling, chairman of the America’s WETLAND Foundation. “We look forward to his leadership as we work to gain national and international recognition of the seriousness of our plight, and to sustain the uniqueness of this working Coast.”

“The Gulf Coast is a treasured environmental resource that is home to millions of Americans as well as economic interests that help secure our energy future,” Keane said. “It is our collective responsibility to protect and restore this vital region.”

America’s Energy Coast is a diverse group of national environmental and conservation organizations, major businesses and industries, scientists, and coastal interests from across the four energy-producing states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Since its founding, AEC has been the leading advocate for the region, convening groundbreaking events to ensure coastal resiliency and issuing major reports including, “Accord for a New Sustainability for America’s Energy Coast,” “Secure Gulf Project Report,” “A REGION AT RISK: Preventing the Loss of Vital National Assets” and “Building a Resilient Energy Gulf Coast.”

Many of the recommendations AEC received during its recent series of Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities leadership forums were included in President Obama’s Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force report, “Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy,” and AWF made several presentations of its findings to federal officials, including the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Congress. 
The mission of America’s Energy Coast is to provide a balanced forum to work together toward the development of comprehensive solutions to sustain the Gulf’s vital economic assets and the environment on which they depend.

A founding member of the AEC, Keane will be the third chairman to lead this diverse coalition that is working to protect both the fragile coastal environment and the Gulf Coast economy.

As BG Group’s Vice President of Policy and Corporate Affairs, Keane is responsible for the company’s government and public affairs, community investment and social performance for the Americas.

During his 31-year career, Keane has worked in 15 countries. After graduating cum laude from Kansas State University, Keane worked for Conoco. In 1989, he joined Dynegy Inc., where his last role was as vice president and chief administrative office of Dynegy Europe, Inc. In 2004, Keane joined BG Group, a leading global energy company that operates in more than 20 countries over five continents. 

Keane, who lives in Houston, is heavily involved in the community and is currently Chairman of the Board for Houston’s Habitat for Humanity.

The America's WETLAND Foundation manages the largest, most comprehensive public education campaign in Louisiana's history, raising public awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss on the state, nation and world. The America's Energy Coast initiative works to sustain the environmental and economic assets of the Gulf Coast region. The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth. For more information, visit www.americaswetland.com or www.futureofthegulfcoast.org.