API names vice-president of upstream, new COS director

Lem Smith has joined The American Petroleum Institute (API) as vice-president of upstream policy and former US Coast Guard Captain Russell Holmes has been named director of the Center for Offshore Safety (COS). Holmes replaces Charlie Williams, who recently retired after leading the COS throughout its first decade.

Smith joins API from Squire Patton Boggs, where he was a principal and partner. He previously served as Director, US Government & Regulatory Affairs at Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., Government Relations Manager at Anadarko Petroleum Corp., and Director of Government Relations for Kerr-McGee Corp.

Russell Holmes joins the COS following 27 years of active duty service with the US Coast Guard (USCG).  Holmes most recently served as Eighth District Officer in Charge Marine Inspections (OCMI), Investigations and Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC) for the Gulf of Mexico.