Topeka ? The Kansas Chamber’s chief lobbyist, Kent Eckles, has been named executive director of the Kansas Petroleum Council.

“Eckles is an established leader for economic development in Kansas,” said Rolf Hanson, who is senior director of state government relations for the American Petroleum Institute. KPC is a division of API, which represents the oil and natural gas industries.

Eckles, a graduate of Kansas University, served as vice president of government affairs for the Kansas Chamber for six years.