BIOGRAPHY
In May 2018, the Honorable Francis R. Fannon was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the inaugural Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. As “America’s Energy Diplomat,” he led whole-of-government initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Middle East to advance free, open markets, and resilient supply chains.
By partnering with governments and companies, Frank and his team advanced major energy and infrastructure deals worth tens of billions of dollars.
Frank elevated global awareness of the critical role that minerals play in the energy transition. He led bilateral and multinational coalitions to help countries responsibly develop clean energy minerals and fostered more transparent markets. He stepped down from this role in January 2021.
Frank credits, in part, his success as a diplomat on his success as a senior executive for global energy and resource companies.has led organisations and created business opportunities at senior levels of government and as a corporate executive for more than two decades.
Frank is currently the managing director of a strategic advisory form focused on geopolitics, the energy transition, and market transformation. He is also a (non-resident) senior advisor at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and a visiting fellow at Purdue University’s Center for Technology Diplomacy.
Fannon has led organisations and created business opportunities at senior levels of government and as a corporate executive for more than two decades.
As Managing Director of BHP, Frank established the company’s U.S. Corporate Affairs function. He created and led a comprehensive strategy to support the company’s growing footprint, expand its American shareholder base, and shaped climate change stakeholder messaging campaigns. Frank served as Chief U.S. Advisor to the BHP Foundation, focused on transparency and governance, environmental resilience, and education equity.
Before BHP, Frank led Government Affairs for Murphy Oil Corporation. He facilitated new country entry in multiple regions, co-negotiated production sharing contracts, and managed crisis communications and stakeholder engagements. Under Frank’s guidance, Murphy Oil developed and successfully executed the industry’s first point-of-purchase consumer energy campaign.
Frank helped to shape American energy policy while serving in senior positions on Capitol Hill. As counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Frank drafted, negotiated, and helped pass into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which included the hydraulic fracturing provisions that unleashed the shale revolution. Frank also served as counsel to Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) and Pete V. Domenici (R-NM).
For more information on Francis Fannon’s keynote speaking topics, availability and fees, contact Leo von Bülow-Quirk at leo@vbqspeakers.com.
FRANCIS FANNON: KEYNOTE SPEAKER
As we move with greater urgency towards the clean energy transition, the geopolitics of energy, minerals and supply chains will have more and more impact on our daily lives and global business.
Few people have Frank’s level of expertise on these critical issues. He helps business leaders cut through the uncertainty and understand the risks and opportunities arising in this new landscape.