INGAA Foundation Executive Director Richard Hoffmann announced his plan to retire in August 2017, nearly 10 years after he took the helm of the organization.
Hoffmann, who previously had a distinguished 34-year career at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, culminating as the director of the Office of Energy Project’s division of gas, environment and engineering, said he was ready to spend more time having fun with his wife Lynn, their five daughters and four grandchildren. Hoffmann will depart after the Foundation’s Summer Planning and Strategy Meeting. He opted to provide plenty of notice, while continuing to serve as executive director, to assist with a smooth and thoughtful transition.
“Rich has done an incredible job growing the Foundation, and keeping it grounded in its mission of improving safety,” said INGAA Foundation President Don Santa, who also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America. “I, and the members of the INGAA Foundation, greatly appreciate Rich’s service not only to the organization, but to the industry as a whole. On a personal note, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Rich, and wish him and Lynn a joyful retirement.”
Hoffmann has guided the INGAA Foundation over a period of remarkable growth and change. The Foundation brings together natural gas pipeline companies, construction companies, engineering firms, pipe and compressor manufacturers, accounting firms, companies providing information technology services and other suppliers of goods and services to the pipeline industry. Together, they work to facilitate the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible design, construction, operation and maintenance of the North American natural gas transmission system to advance the delivery of natural gas for the benefit of the consuming public, the economy and the environment.
In 2008, when Hoffmann started as executive director, the INGAA Foundation had 105 members; today it boasts over 200. During his tenure, the Foundation has become a leading voice for pipeline and construction safety, holding numerous workshops, sponsoring research and engaging in ongoing programs to create and maintain a safe and reliable natural gas pipeline system to serve the energy needs of North America.
Hoffmann has presided over four releases of the Foundation’s flagship report that projects long-term investment for midstream energy infrastructure. He also has expanded the scope of that report to include not only natural gas infrastructure, but also crude oil and NGLs, as well as the economic impact of such midstream investment.
“I’m incredibly proud of the advances in construction safety the Foundation has achieved in this time,” Hoffmann said. “From the creation of our Guiding Principles, to our safety culture training and construction safety guidelines, to the Lessons Learned Repository and, most recently, the Inspector Certification program, I believe that much of the work that occurred during my tenure as executive director will have long-lasting benefits for the industry.”
