John Bridges Joins AIPN as Executive Director

HOUSTON, Texas (March 20, 2017) —  John Bridges recently joined the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) as its new executive director. In this role, Bridges is responsible for leading the AIPN team, for implementing the AIPN’s mission and vision, and delivering on specific initiatives articulated by the AIPN Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

With almost 35 years of oil and gas industry experience, Bridges has held significant leadership roles in exploration, production and operations in several states spanning Alaska to Texas. He also served in international leadership roles including explorations, negotiations, and business development in southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.

“All of us on AIPN’s board of directors are extremely pleased that John was identified as a highly-qualified candidate for the role of executive director. He is the first executive director in the history of our organization who has extensive experience as an international petroleum negotiator.  John has been an active member of AIPN for 10 years and understands our organization and our programs very well. John will work closely with our board members and organizing committees. He will lead the AIPN staff to ensure that AIPN’s organizational mission continues to advance. He also will ensure that our organization continues to serve and respond to the needs of our membership and sponsors,” commented AIPN President David Davies.

Prior to joining AIPN, Bridges served as manager of international negotiations for North Africa and Europe with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation including being based in the United Kingdom for over 2 years. Having joined Anadarko as the Land Supervisor, Alaska in 2001, Bridges was later promoted to the role of Land Manager for East Texas, Mid-Continent, and Alaska. In 2006, he joined Anadarko’s Negotiations Team to support the company’s entry into Mozambique. From this role, Bridges became responsible for business development negotiations in Southeast Asia and began supporting Anadarko’s efforts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Bridges’ focus in joining AIPN as its executive director is, as he put it, “to play it forward” noting that AIPN has been an ongoing resource and support to him. Bridges credits AIPN for helping him to shape his industry experience through its workshops and educational courses, keeping him apprised of industry trends through its conferences, and helping him to establish and strengthen business connections through its networking events.

Bridges earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Texas in Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University at Bakersfield.

Committed to helping and serving others, Bridges has served in various roles with the Boy Scouts of America at the Scout and Troop level. He was the Committee Chair for Boy Scout Troop 777 in the Woodlands, Texas. He also has served as member of the Board of Directors with the Alaska Performing Arts Center and with the Alaska Junior Theater.  Bridges is actively involved with UNICEF, currently supporting UNICEF’s Houston Congressional Action Team Committee.