The Voice of the Industry in the West
Western Energy Alliance represents 200 member companies engaged in all aspects of environmentally responsible exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in the West. The Alliance represents independent oil and gas producers, the majority of which are small businesses with an average of fourteen employees.
Since 1974, the Alliance has been the voice of the Western oil and natural gas industry, representing the “upstream” segment of the industry. As our name indicates, we collaborate with an alliance of stakeholders who share an interest in a vibrant western economy with robust job creation. We are dedicated to working with stakeholders across the region, including the public; federal, state, and local policy makers; regulatory agencies; the media; the business community; allied trade associations; civic organizations and others on all issues affecting the western oil and natural gas industry.
We are experts on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, public lands and other policy issues affecting the oil and natural gas industry. We support policies encouraging job growth, investment and timely access to western federal lands. Our members operate on public and nonpublic lands throughout the West, and are actively engaged in federal leasing, development and production on all public lands states including California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
The Alliance is comprised of an outstanding professional staff, active working committees, and a committed board of directors and advisors who collaborate as advocates for independent oil and natural gas operating in the West.
Since 1974, the Alliance has been the voice of the Western oil and natural gas industry, representing the “upstream” segment of the industry. As our name indicates, we collaborate with an alliance of stakeholders who share an interest in a vibrant western economy with robust job creation. We are dedicated to working with stakeholders across the region, including the public; federal, state, and local policy makers; regulatory agencies; the media; the business community; allied trade associations; civic organizations and others on all issues affecting the western oil and natural gas industry.
We are experts on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, public lands and other policy issues affecting the oil and natural gas industry. We support policies encouraging job growth, investment and timely access to western federal lands. Our members operate on public and nonpublic lands throughout the West, and are actively engaged in federal leasing, development and production on all public lands states including California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
The Alliance is comprised of an outstanding professional staff, active working committees, and a committed board of directors and advisors who collaborate as advocates for independent oil and natural gas operating in the West.
Alliance Staff
Kathleen Sgamma, President
Kathleen joined Western Energy Alliance in March 2006. Previously, she spent eleven years in the Information Technology sector, including establishing the European consulting practice and a German subsidiary for a software vendor, and three years as a Military Intelligence Officer in the US Army. She holds a B.S. in Political Science/Defense and Arms Control Studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Information Technology from Virginia Tech.
Kathleen joined Western Energy Alliance in March 2006. Previously, she spent eleven years in the Information Technology sector, including establishing the European consulting practice and a German subsidiary for a software vendor, and three years as a Military Intelligence Officer in the US Army. She holds a B.S. in Political Science/Defense and Arms Control Studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Information Technology from Virginia Tech.
Aaron Johnson, Vice President of Public and Legislative Affairs
Joining the Western Energy Alliance team in November 2013, Aaron comes with experience in public policy and corporate communications. Prior to Western Energy Alliance, Aaron served on Capitol Hill as a communications director and legislative aide in addition to working in the defense contracting and consumer electronics sectors. He is responsible for media relations, community outreach, and legislative affairs. Aaron received his MBA from George Mason University and B.A. in Economics at the University of Colorado.
Joining the Western Energy Alliance team in November 2013, Aaron comes with experience in public policy and corporate communications. Prior to Western Energy Alliance, Aaron served on Capitol Hill as a communications director and legislative aide in addition to working in the defense contracting and consumer electronics sectors. He is responsible for media relations, community outreach, and legislative affairs. Aaron received his MBA from George Mason University and B.A. in Economics at the University of Colorado.
Mike Puchalski, Manager of Business Development
Mike joined the Western Energy Alliance team in August 2023. Mike previously served as VP - Business Development with an independent upstream E&P company and prior to that held several positions of increasing responsibility in technical management. With nearly 20 years of experience in the upstream E&P business, he brings a unique perspective to the business development role and is responsible for all membership and fundraising activities. Mike received his B.S. from the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and M.S. from Northern Arizona University, both in Geology.
Mike joined the Western Energy Alliance team in August 2023. Mike previously served as VP - Business Development with an independent upstream E&P company and prior to that held several positions of increasing responsibility in technical management. With nearly 20 years of experience in the upstream E&P business, he brings a unique perspective to the business development role and is responsible for all membership and fundraising activities. Mike received his B.S. from the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and M.S. from Northern Arizona University, both in Geology.
Charlotte Sawyer, Regulatory Affairs Manager
Charlotte joined the Western Energy Alliance in August 2023. She previously worked at GPA Midstream Association and spent a decade in Washington, DC. Charlotte is responsible for managing all regulatory advocacy and policy work. Charlotte is fifth generation in the oil and gas industry. She received her B.A. in Politics from Ave Maria University.
Charlotte joined the Western Energy Alliance in August 2023. She previously worked at GPA Midstream Association and spent a decade in Washington, DC. Charlotte is responsible for managing all regulatory advocacy and policy work. Charlotte is fifth generation in the oil and gas industry. She received her B.A. in Politics from Ave Maria University.
Devin Darr, Manager of Operations
Devin joined the Western Energy Alliance team in August 2023. Devin previously served as the Brokerage and Office coordinator for a commercial real estate company and prior to that spent time as a professional event manager. With experience in both office management and event coordination, she is responsible for keeping our operations running and planning our major events. Devin received her B.A. in Business Management from the University of Tennessee.
Devin joined the Western Energy Alliance team in August 2023. Devin previously served as the Brokerage and Office coordinator for a commercial real estate company and prior to that spent time as a professional event manager. With experience in both office management and event coordination, she is responsible for keeping our operations running and planning our major events. Devin received her B.A. in Business Management from the University of Tennessee.
