SHAY BLUNTZER

Chairman, Texas Pipeline Association

Shay Bluntzer was elected Chairman of the Texas Pipeline Association in January 2021, after serving on the TPA Board of Directors since 2013. In his role as Executive Director of Public Affairs at NuStar – a publicly traded limited partnership based in San Antonio and one of the largest independent liquids terminal and pipeline operators in the nation – Shay has been instrumental in building the company’s profile at the highest levels of government. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for NuStarPAC, a political action committee dedicated to the advancement of NuStar’s business objectives.

Shay serves on the Board of Directors for the Energy Infrastructure Council, an organization dedicated to the improvement and enhancement of the United States energy infrastructure. He also serves on the government relations committees of several prominent national, state and local trade associations in the energy sector. Shay previously served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio and is a dedicated volunteer and avid supporter of the United Way and Haven for Hope. He holds a degree in public administration from Texas State University.

WILLIAM F. (BILL) WARD

Vice Chairman, Texas Pipeline Association

Bill Ward was elected Vice Chairman of the Texas Pipeline Association in January 2021, after first joining the Board of Directors in 1993. He joined Superior Pipeline Company in 2008 and is Senior Vice President of Commercial Activity. Prior to joining Superior, he completed a 10-year career with Devon and Mitchell Gas Services in the positions of Manager of Gas Marketing and Supply for the Rocky Mountain, Gulf Coast and West Texas Regions and Director of Business Development, Texas Central. Prior to his employment with Devon, Bill was Manager of Intrastate Gathering and Storage for Burlington Resources. He started his career in the gas industry in 1985 with Rockland Pipeline Company as Director of Gas Supply and Business Development and Vice President of Canadian Rockland. Bill serves as Chairman of the GPA Midstream Association and Chairman-elect of the Texas Intrastate Pipeline Association and is a past board member of the Natural Gas and Energy Association of Oklahoma and the National Energy Services Association. In 2014, Bill was awarded Midcontinent Industry Leader at the Oil and Gas Awards. Bill earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Sam Houston State University.

THURE CANNON

President, Texas Pipeline Association

Thure Cannon serves as president of the Texas Pipeline Association (TPA). Prior to joining TPA in 2010, Thure worked in the Texas Legislature for over 12 years serving as chief of staff for a state representative.  Before his legislative tenure, Thure consulted on numerous political campaigns and interned for members of the Texas House and Texas Senate.

Thure holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.  He has been a guest lecturer on Texas campaigns at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and has been a speaker at conferences and service clubs on the Texas Legislature and politics.

JENNIFER COFFEE

Legislative Director & General Counsel, Texas Pipeline Association

The Texas Pipeline Association (TPA) welcomed Jennifer Coffee as its  Legislative Director & General Counsel in November 2020. Prior to joining TPA, Jennifer was Legislative Director & General Counsel for Texas
State Sen. Peter P. Flores. She is a graduate of Texas State University and received her J.D. from the South Texas College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Texas. Prior to Sen. Flores’ office, Jennifer was an Assistant General Counsel for the Texas A&M University System, Office of General Counsel; and served as a Legislative Aide and Policy Analyst for State Sens. Craig Estes and Chris Harris.