Edward Cross serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Illinois Oil & Gas Association (IOGA) where he is responsible for public policy advocacy and interaction with external stakeholders including elected officials, regulators, government decision-makers, and community leaders.  Cross began this position January 1, 2025.  Previously, Cross served as President and COO of the Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association (KIOGA) since September 2003.  During his 21-year tenure at KIOGA, Cross played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of independent oil and gas producers in Kansas and nationally.

Cross serves as a board member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), and a partnering society member of the Council for a Secure America (CSA).  He is an active member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) where he serves as an advisory committee member.

Cross also serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Liaison Committee of Cooperating Oil and Gas Associations, a network of state and regional trade associations that represent the independent oil and gas exploration and production industry in the U.S. where he is responsible for coordinating the organization’s efforts.

Cross has served as an appointed Associate Representative to the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) from 2005-2024.  The IOGCC is a national organization representing the Governors of 37 oil and gas producing states.  At IOGCC, Cross has served as Chair of the Public Outreach Committee and a member of the Resolutions Committee, two of eight standing IOGCC committees.

In November 2023 Cross was named “2023 Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.  In November 2018, Cross was named a finalist for the 2018 Petroleum Economist magazine energy executive of the year award.  In April 2015, Cross was recognized for his national leadership by being honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Stripper Well Association.  In January 2013, Cross was named by Ingram’s, a Kansas City business magazine, as one of the “50 Kansans You Should Know”.

Cross has published 8 peer-reviewed papers on economic, environmental, and energy policy issues facing the independent oil and gas industry.  He has authored nearly 100 editorials on energy issues and has made over 100 energy-related presentations to government agencies and professional groups including testifying before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senate Energy Committee, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, U.S. House Energy Committee, and the U.S. House Small Business Committee.  He is a licensed professional geologist and registered lobbyist and holds a B.S. in Geology and an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University.

Association Management

Accounting

Jennifer Birkner

Jennifer Birkner graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2013 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, while also competing as a student athlete. She then attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, graduating in 2015 with a Master of Accountancy degree, where she also earned the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Outstanding MAcc Student Award.

Jennifer earned the CPA designation in 2016 and became a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) in 2024. Jennifer began her career at Kemper CPA Group LLP in January 2015 as an intern and transitioned to a full-time position in the Mt. Vernon, Illinois office where she became Partner in 2023.

Jennifer’s work mainly consists of outsourced CFO work, tax work, and recurring services (payroll, bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, consulting, etc.) with a focus in oil and gas, agriculture, and healthcare. For various clients, she presents monthly and annual financial statements to boards, attends monthly/quarterly board meetings, and volunteers for client hosted events, such as the IOGA’s Annual Convention and Oil Johnny Golf Scramble. Jennifer has extensive knowledge in tax preparation for individuals, businesses, and trusts. She also provides QuickBooks and PakEnergy consulting to clients.

Professional Associations:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Illinois CPA Society

Tri-State Association of Desk and Derrick Club

State Lobbying