The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has announced the appointment of Oliver McPherson-Smith, PhD, as Vice Chair for Energy & Environment. McPherson-Smith previously held the position of Director for Energy & Environment at AFPI before serving in the Trump Administration as Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy Dominance and as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council at the White House.
Dr. McPherson-Smith holds a PhD in political science from the University of Oxford, a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in land economy from the University of Cambridge. His academic work has been published in several leading journals, and he is fluent in Russian, French, and Spanish. Prior to his research career, he worked as a television correspondent in Africa and Europe and is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
“I am honored to rejoin AFPI as the Vice Chair for Energy & Environment,” said Dr. McPherson-Smith. “Affordable and reliable energy is the foundation of any prosperous economy. Working with AFPI’s experts and allies, we will champion policies that enhance market competition, fiscal responsibility, environmental protection, and economic development.”
Greg Sindelar, interim President and CEO of AFPI, stated: “Oliver is a prime example of what AFPI embodies as an organization. He brought a wealth of knowledge to our team during his time as Director for Energy & Environment before he deployed to the White House to utilize his expertise to serve the American people. We are delighted to have him back on our team and look forward to drawing upon his knowledge and new experience to drive America First energy policies.”
