Erik Milito

Erik Milito is an adjunct professor of management at the GW School of Business and the president of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), representing the interests of the offshore oil and gas, wind, and carbon sequestration industries. Erik serves as the leader, voice, and advocate for a 130-member organization that represents the offshore energy industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, and the media. Erik and the organization focus on strategic outcomes that serve to promote the industry as an innovator, problem-solver, and preferred investment choice. Erik has led efforts to secure a multitude of favorable public policy outcomes in Washington for the industry to continue to invest with certainty in domestic energy projects.

Erik arrived at NOIA in November 2019 after serving for 17 years at the American Petroleum Institute (API), including roles as Vice President, Upstream Policy and Managing Counsel.

Through his leadership roles at trade associations in Washington, D.C., Erik has gained extensive experience in implementing strategic outreach and public relations platforms for high profile issues on behalf of the energy industry. He is a spokesperson and lobbyist for the industry, testifying before Congress and appearing on major news outlets on key energy issues on numerous occasions. Erik has been at the forefront of efforts to develop and establish industry programs to enhance safety and environmental performance, including the NOIA ESG Network, The Environmental Partnership, and the Center for Offshore Safety. Milito also currently serves as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s School of Business.

From 2000 to 2002, Milito served as an attorney in the Solicitor’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate from 1995 to 2000 and in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2000-2004, before resigning at the rank of Major. Erik received the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medals for his service. He holds a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Erik is originally from Natrona, Pennsylvania, and he and his wife Beth now live in Alexandria, VA with their four children, Will, Helen, Evie, and Jake.