Alex Whittington
Bethesda
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in international relations and policy advocacy at Cheniere Energy. Proven track record in government engagement and energy regulation, successfully managing lobbying strategies and project management initiatives. Adept at driving commercial growth and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Director for International Affairs
Cheniere Energy
01.2018 - Current
- Leads Cheniere engagement with Executive Branch agencies focused on international affairs (White House/NSC, USTR, and the Departments of State, Energy, Commerce, and Treasury) in support of company commercial operations, regulatory priorities, and policy goals.
- Coordinates commercial team engagement with the U.S. Government and leads engagement with foreign governments.
- Plans and manages Cheniere memberships in Washington, DC business councils and think tanks and is a regular speaker and company representative at events in Washington, New York, Houston, and New Orleans.
- Leads policy advocacy for Cheniere in Europe as part of the company’s climate team, including with the European Commission in support of efforts to reform the EU methane regulation.
- Registered lobbyist and regularly briefs members of Congress and committee and office staff.
- Oversaw these efforts during operational and commercial growth of the company: ~ 30 mtpa of infrastructure coming online and the FID of another 15+ mtpa of LNG capacity.
- Currently working to support Cheniere plans to add an additional 30+ mtpa of LNG production in Texas and Louisiana.
International Economist, Office of International Debt and Development
U.S. Department of State
Washington
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Coordinated Treasury policy on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Chinese lending practices globally, and their impact on U.S. development programs and policy.
- Led Treasury efforts in support of international financial inclusion initiatives and served as U.S. representative to the G-20 financial inclusion working group and the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).
Member of the United States Foreign Service
U.S. Department of State
01.2004 - 01.2018
Director, Office of the Middle East and Asia
U.S. Department of State
Washington
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Managed a twelve-person team that integrated energy security priorities into U.S. bilateral and multilateral foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and China.
- Developed strategies to address how U.S. energy policies affect major oil and gas producers and consumers and worked closely with Washington-based representatives of international energy firms to achieve common goals around the world.
- Worked closely with the National Security Council and the U.S. interagency to develop and implement energy-related sanctions on Iran and North Korea as well as strategies to disrupt the exploitation of energy resources by terrorist groups.
Chief of the Political and Economic Section
U.S. Department of State
Frankfurt
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Led a multinational team working to advance U.S. political and economic priorities in Germany, with an emphasis on Frankfurt-based financial institutions and U.S. firms operating in Germany.
- Consulted with the European Central Bank and German Central Bank (Bundesbank) as the U.S. Government’s only on-the-ground economic and financial representative in Frankfurt.
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Advised the Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs (E) on commercial issues, including the Department’s high-level business advocacy and outreach both in Washington and in conjunction with U.S. diplomatic missions around the world.
- Coordinated the State Department’s role in the G-8 (now G-7) and G-20 processes, including serving as a deputy U.S. negotiator.
Financial Economist, Office of Monetary Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Washington
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Advised State Department leadership on the effects of the global economic and financial crisis, including U.S. and multilateral responses via the IMF and G-20.
- Collaborated with an interagency team to assess the international impacts of the crisis and advise on bilateral and multilateral programs to address its causes and impacts.
Economic Officer
U.S. Department of State
Islamabad
01.2007 - 01.2008
Economic Officer
U.S. Department of State
Ho Chi Minh City
01.2005 - 01.2007
Education
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service - International Political Economy
Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service
Skills
- policy advocacy
- international relations
- government engagement
- energy regulation
- lobbying strategies
- policy analysis
- project management
Timeline
Director for International Affairs
Cheniere Energy
01.2018 - Current
International Economist, Office of International Debt and Development
U.S. Department of State
01.2017 - 01.2018
Director, Office of the Middle East and Asia
U.S. Department of State
01.2014 - 01.2017
Chief of the Political and Economic Section
U.S. Department of State
01.2011 - 01.2014
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
01.2009 - 01.2011
Financial Economist, Office of Monetary Affairs
U.S. Department of State
01.2008 - 01.2009
Economic Officer
U.S. Department of State
01.2007 - 01.2008
Economic Officer
U.S. Department of State
01.2005 - 01.2007
Member of the United States Foreign Service
U.S. Department of State
01.2004 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service - International Political Economy
Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service