David Callahan, a leading advocate for Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry and president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC), will retire at year’s end.
“It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many exceptional people who all care deeply about our energy, economic, and environmental future,” said Callahan on Wednesday.
Callahan was named MSC president in 2021 and has been involved with the coalition since its founding in 2008. Before that, he was JKLM Energy’s vice president of external affairs.
Callahan informed board members of his decision months ago, according to the coalition.
The MSC board praised Callahan for his work promoting the responsible development and use of natural gas. During his tenure, he helped increase MSC’s membership levels and strengthen its ties with labor unions through membership-level partnerships. Board members credited his work with state and local lawmakers and communities on the benefits of natural gas. They also hailed his professionalism, decency, and loyalty.
Jim Welty, MSC’s vice president of government affairs, was tapped to take over in January.
Jim Welty, incoming Marcellus Shale Coalition president.
Welty, a graduate of Widener University Commonwealth Law School, began his career representing oil and gas clients during the Marcellus Shale boom. He has been with the coalition since 2013.
He promised to build on Callahan’s legacy as a voice for an industry that serves as the backbone of the Pennsylvania economy. “I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in Pennsylvania to ensure the commonwealth remains a global leader in responsible natural gas development, transportation and use,” he said.
U.S. Energy Information Agency statistics rank the Keystone State second in the nation in natural gas production, behind only Texas. Pennsylvania also ranked second in total energy supplied to other states.
An MSC-commissioned study released last year found natural gas development generated more than $41 billion in state economic activity and supported 123,000 jobs. State and local governments received $3.2 billion in tax revenue. That included $279 million for the Impact Fee that’s paid to all 67 counties.
As Pennsylvania shifted from coal to natural gas for energy generation, it also benefited from lowered carbon emissions. An MSC analysis found emissions contributing to certain respiratory ailments dropped more than 80 percent from 2005 to 2022. That equated to at least $450 billion in public health benefits.
The MSC Board of Directors expressed confidence in Welty’s leadership abilities.
“Jim’s leadership and deep industry understanding positions us strongly to continue our important work advocating for Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry and its critical contributions to our economy and environment,” said Board Chair Lisa McManus.
A Cumberland County resident, Welty also served in leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and Pennsylvania’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
MSC tapped Patrick Henderson to succeed Welty as vice president of government affairs. Henderson was the coalition’s government affairs director. He previously served as a senior energy adviser in former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration. Henderson wrote the Commonwealth’s first State Energy Plan, which was published in 2014.
