Richard Kaelin has been named executive director of  Washington operations at Gas Technology Institute (GTI), according to a news release.

In this role, he will lead GTI’s government R&D activities and work with state and federal elected officials and agencies to secure funding of strategic R&D projects and programs. He also will educate key stakeholders about GTI and its initiatives as well as keep them informed about current energy industry trends and issues, the release said.

Most recently, Kaelin was president of Rich Kaelin Consulting, a business development and legislative affairs firm. Prior to that, he was a partner and equity owner in Federal Business Group, a government relations firm focused on business development and legislative affairs in the defense and energy marketplace. From 2004 to 2009, he spearheaded energy and water segments as an associate at the PMA Group, the release stated.