Viewpoint: The politicalization of the SEC—A dangerous precedent

Chet Thompson is president of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the trade association representing over 400 companies that encompass virtually all US refining and petrochemical manufacturing capacity. He became president of AFPM in May 2015, and leads a staff that advocates for petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers before Congress and the executive branch on a broad range of public policy issues. Before coming to AFPM, Mr. Thompson had a successful legal career in Washington, D.C. for over two decades. Most recently, he was a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP, where he was chairman of the Environment & Natural Resources Group, one of the country’s premier environmental practices. He previously served as deputy general counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the George W. Bush administration, where he provided legal advice to the agency’s administrator, general counsel and program offices. Before joining the EPA in 2004, he spent 10 years at Collier Shannon Scott PLLC. Since joining AFPM, Chet has been named to the US Chamber’s Association Committee of 100 and The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Thompson holds a BA degree in political science from Boston College, and a JD degree from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law.