Mr Lester is the Director of Technical Services for AJ Lucas Group, and was previously APIA’s Vice President.

Mr Lester said one of his aims as President would be to continue to grow the industry for the success of its members.

“There are a lot of new owners coming into the industry and we need to embrace those new owners,” said Mr Lester.

According to Mr Lester, industry challenges will include effective management of environmental and regulatory approvals processes to allow projects to proceed in a timely and efficient manner.

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Replacing Mr Lester as APIA Vice President will be Dampier Bunbury Pipeline Commercial General Manager Mark Cooper.

New APIA board members include WDS' Brent Jones and Jemena's Shaun Reardon.

Re-appointed board members include McConnell Dowell's Mark Twycross and Fyfe's Mark Dayman, while Oil Search Executive General Manager Operations Richard Robinson remains as APIA Treasurer.

The re-appointed board members join fellow APIA board members Ashley Kellett (SEA Gas), Mick McCormack (APA Group) and retiring President Peter Cox (WorleyParsons).