Erik Milito is the Director of Upstream and Industry Operations for the American Petroleum Institute (API), which is the national trade association representing more than 400 companies involved in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration production, refining and transportation.  Mr. Milito’s work covers regulatory and legislative matters related to domestic exploration and production, including access to domestic oil and natural gas resources both onshore and offshore.  Prior to his current position, Mr. Milito served as managing counsel covering a host of issues, including oil and gas leasing, royalty, environmental, fuels, transportation, safety, and civil justice reform.  Prior to joining API, Mr. Milito served for over four years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate, and additional four years in the U.S. Army Reserve, resigning at the rank of Major.  Mr. Milito was assigned to active duty tours in Hawaii, Korea and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and he served as a prosecutor, defense attorney and command advisor.  Mr. Milito was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medals during his military tenure.  After leaving the Army, Mr. Milito worked as a career attorney with the Solicitor’s Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior.  While at Interior, Mr. Milito worked on royalty, employment law, and disability access issues.  Mr. Milito attended the University of Notre Dame on an R.O.T.C. scholarship, and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  Mr. Milito then received his juris doctor from Marquette University Law School, where he was a member of the law review.  Mr. Milito has testified about industry efforts related to the Macondo incident before the House Committee on Natural Resources, the House Committee on Science and Technology, the National Commission on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and the National Academy of Engineering Investigation of the Spill.  Mr. Milito has authored and co-authored several papers related to natural resources issues and has served as a guest speaker on multiple occasions.  Until recently, Mr. Milito served on the Board of Trustees of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.  Mr. Milito and his wife Elizabeth have four children, William, Evelyn, and Jacob and live in Alexandria, Virginia.