Wohlschlegel, E

<h1>Eric Wohlschlegel</h1>

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Director, Media Relations at American Petroleum Institute

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<dd><a id="location" href="http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&facet_G=us%3A97&trk=prof-0-ovw-location" name="location" title="Find other members in Washington D.C. Metro Area">Washington D.C. Metro Area</a></dd>

<dd class="industry"><a id="industry" href="http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&industry=103&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&trk=prof-0-ovw-industry" name="industry" title="Find other members in this industry">Writing and Editing</a></dd>

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<table summary="Overview for Eric Wohlschlegel"><tbody><tr id="overview-summary-past"><th scope="row"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-wohlschlegel/2/553/1b8#background-experience" data-trk="prof-0-ovw-prev_pos-label">Previous</a></th><td>

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<li><a id="company" href="http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=U%2ES%2E+Chamber+of+Commerce&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&trk=prof-0-ovw-prev_pos" name="company" title="Find others who have worked at this company">U.S. Chamber of Commerce</a>,</li>

<li><a id="company" href="http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=Chlopak%2C+Leonard%2C+Schechter+%26+Associates&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&trk=prof-0-ovw-prev_pos" name="company" title="Find others who have worked at this company">Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates</a>,</li>

<li><a id="company" href="http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=U%2ES%2E+House+of+Representatives&sortCriteria=R&keepFacets=true&trk=prof-0-ovw-prev_pos" name="company" title="Find others who have worked at this company">U.S. House of Representatives</a></li>

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</td></tr><tr id="overview-summary-education"><th scope="row"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-wohlschlegel/2/553/1b8#background-education" data-trk="prof-0-ovw-edu-label">Education</a></th><td>

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<li><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/college/?eduSchool=13378&trk=prof-0-ovw-edu" title="Find other members who attended Trinity College, Dublin">Trinity College, Dublin</a></li>

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http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=75313

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<div id="jump-to-nav" class="mw-jump">Jump to: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#mw-navigation">navigation</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#p-search">search</a></div>

Peter Schechter, born 1959, is an international strategic communications consultant and author, and entrepreneur.

<h2>Biography</h2>

Peter David Schechter was born in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome,Italy" title="Rome, Italy" class="mw-redirect">Rome, Italy</a> in 1959 to Austrian-Jewish Parents. He was raised and educated in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a> and attended Johns Hopkins University. Schechter is founding partner of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chlopak,Leonard,Schechter%26_Associates&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (page does not exist)">Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates</a>,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-1">[1]</a> a Washington, DC-based company which advises politicians, companies, non-profits and international organizations. He created the public relations firm in 1992 with colleagues <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Chlopak&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bob Chlopak (page does not exist)">Bob Chlopak</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charlie_Leonard&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Charlie Leonard (page does not exist)">Charlie Leonard</a> after a decade on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill" title="Capitol Hill">Capitol Hill</a> and with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawyer_Miller_Group" title="Sawyer Miller Group" class="mw-redirect">Sawyer Miller Group</a>, a New York consulting firm.

Schechter has served as principal election advisor in nearly every country in Latin America, including work for President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvaro_Uribe" title="Álvaro Uribe">Álvaro Uribe</a> (his fourth Presidential client in Colombia), President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Henrique_Cardoso" title="Fernando Henrique Cardoso">Fernando Henrique Cardoso</a> in Brazil, and President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Zedillo" title="Ernesto Zedillo">Ernesto Zedillo</a> in Mexico. His clients are wide-ranging, from wine-making regions like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_%28wine_region%29" title="Champagne (wine region)">Champagne</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_wine" title="Port wine">port</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherry" title="Sherry">sherry</a> seeking protection from name infringements in the US to Hunt Oil's Camisea project in Peru.

In September 2009, Schechter's firm signed a four-month contract with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interim_Presidency_of_Roberto_Micheletti" title="Interim Presidency of Roberto Micheletti" class="mw-redirect">interim Honduran government</a> of Roberto Micheletti to provide public relations services following the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Honduran_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat" title="2009 Honduran coup d'état">June 28, 2009 coup d'état</a> in this country.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-2">[2]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-3">[3]</a> According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Agents_Registration_Act" title="Foreign Agents Registration Act">Foreign Agents Registration</a> filings with the US Department of Justice, the firm received over $292,000 to boost the interim regime's image in the US.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-4">[4]</a> The contract put Schechter's firm in the spotlight and sparked letters of condemnation.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-5">[5]</a> On October 19, 2009 a protest took place in front of the firm's Washington, DC office in response to its work on behalf of the interim Honduran government.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-6">[6]</a>

Purportedly fluent in six languages, Schechter is a frequent political commentator for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univision" title="Univision">Univision</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemundo" title="Telemundo">Telemundo</a>, the nation’s two largest Spanish language television networks. Apart from his work, Schechter is also a Virginia goat farmer, a co-owner and board member with superstar chef <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Andr%C3%A9s" title="José Andrés">José Andrés</a> of five successful Washington restaurants (including prize-winning Jaleo and Zaytinya), a co-proprietor of Agur Winery in Israel, and a critically acclaimed author.

Schechter published his first novel, Point of Entry, in 2006. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post" title="The Washington Post">The Washington Post</a> called it “fast moving”,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-7">[7]</a> The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tribune" title="Chicago Tribune">Chicago Tribune</a> said it is “as good as this kind of writing gets.” The St. Louis Post Dispatch said the plot is “why-didn’t I think-of-that-clever.”.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_note-8">[8]</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsweek" title="Newsweek">Newsweek</a> called it “a rip-roaring novel about terrorism, nuclear plots and presidential dating.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boston_Globe" title="The Boston Globe">The Boston Globe</a> declared it “entertaining.” His second book, Pipeline, was published in 2009.

Peter Schechter lives in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown%28Washington,D.C.%29" title="Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)">Georgetown (Washington, D.C.)</a>, with his Spanish wife Rosa and two daughters Alia and Marina.

<h2>References</h2>

<li id="cite_note-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-1">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002104.html">"What It Takes: 'Always strive to get to the next level'"</a>, Washington Post article</li>

<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-2">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://narcosphere.narconews.com/notebook/bill-conroy/2009/09/honduran-government-hires-fiction-writer-hawk-coup-regime">"Honduran government hires fiction writer to hawk coup regime"</a>, Narcosphere, 28 September 2009; retrieved November 2009.</li>

<li id="cite_note-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-3">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/60471-honduran-government-hires-pr-shop">"Honduran government hires PR shop"</a>, The Hill, 27 September 2009; retrieved November 2009.</li>

<li id="cite_note-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-4">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.fara.gov/docs/5774-Exhibit-AB-20091021-8.pdf">Contract filing for Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates, Inc.</a>, Foreign Agent Registration Unit, 21 October 2009; retrieved November 2009.</li>

<li id="cite_note-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-5">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://quotha.net/node/468">Letters to Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates</a>, 17 October 2009; retrieved January 2010.</li>

<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-6">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/147903/index.php">"Lobbyists for Honduras coup plotter gets office protest"</a>, DC Indymedia, 19 October 2009; retrieved November 2009.</li>

<li id="cite_note-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-7">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/29/AR2006012900891.html">The Washington Post</a> on Point of Entry (January 30, 2006)</li>

<li id="cite_note-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schechter#cite_ref-8">^{</a></span}> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/book/story/ED41BBE219809E838625710A0078CE50?OpenDocument">The St. Louis Post Dispatch</a> on Point of Entry (February 5, 2006)</li>

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<h2>External links</h2>

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<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.peterschechter.com/">Peter Schechter's Official website</a></li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002104.html">Washington Post Article on Peter Schechter</a></li>

<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/29948/Peter_Schechter/index.aspx">Peter Schechter's Page at HarperCollins</a></li><li>===</li>

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</div><div><div class="timestamp" style="margin-top: 15px; font-weight: bold;">July 13, 2010</div><div class="kicker" style="font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 15px;" /><h1 style="margin-top: 3px;"><nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" ">Oil-Industry Group Hires New Leader for Media Team</nyt_headline></h1><nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "><div class="byline" style="font-weight: bold;">By ANNE C. MULKERN of <a href="http://www.greenwire.com/" target="_blank">Greenwire</a></div></nyt_byline><nyt_text><div id="articleBody">As it works to reshape the oil industry's image, American Petroleum Institute's media shop has nabbed a former spokesman for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Eric Wohlschlegel started work yesterday as API's director of media relations. Running the team that talks to reporters, Wohlschlegel said he is focused on communicating the oil and natural gas industry's importance. It is the latest move as trade group CEO Jack Gerard reorganizes API's work force."We're basically under new leadership at API," Wohlschlegel said. "This is sort of getting all hands on deck towards that goal."It's obvious that he's assembling a new team and sort of focusing his assets with a very clear goal of advocacy and communications on behalf of the industry," Wohlschlegel said of Gerard's plan.Wohlschlegel said his strategy is to "communicate to the general public how critical the oil and gas industry is to our economy and to jobs in America."Wohlschlegel's recruitment marks API's latest hire from the U.S. Chamber, one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, D.C., and one with strong ties to the oil and natural gas industry. API in April recruited Linda Rozett, who previously worked as communications director for the Friends of Fred Thompson organization and as senior vice president of communications for the Chamber (<a href="http://www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2010/04/16/4">Greenwire</a>, April 16). Rozett is in charge of all communications.Earlier this year, API nabbed Deryck Spooner, who ran the Nature Conservancy's push to spur legislative action on climate change (<a href="http://www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2010/02/26/3">Greenwire</a>, Feb. 2). Spooner now heads API's grass-roots activism arm. He previously ran campaigns for labor group AFL-CIO and abortion rights organization NARAL Pro-Choice America.API in December cut 15 percent of its work force, but Gerard said at the time that he planned to bring on new hires to fill gaps. Gerard said that the organization had "not been as effective as we could be in educating public officials or the public about the critical role of oil and gas in our economy. ... You will see us evolve into a more nimble, more aggressive" organization. "We're going to be aggressive in our outreach to educate the public" (<a href="http://www.eenews.net/public/eenewspm/2009/12/11/2">E&ENews PM</a>, Dec. 11, 2009).Before working at the Chamber, Wohlschlegel worked at a small public relations firm, was the deputy press secretary at the House Energy and Commerce Committee under then-Chairman Tom Bliley (R-Va.), and worked for the National Petroleum Refiners Association.API clearly is seeking out "big guns," as it works to reshape its message, said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy project at Public Citizen."It seems that API is going on a new recruiting spree; they are clearly assembling an impressive team to go on the offensive," Slocum said.Key victories on HillThe work force restructuring is helping API achieve big wins in Congress, Slocum said. The oil and natural gas industry last month "handily beat back," Slocum said, a measure that would have repealed $35 billion worth of tax breaks for oil and gas producers over the next decade. The <a href="http://sanders.senate.gov/graphics/OTT10284.pdf">amendment</a> (pdf) would have cut oil and gas tax breaks related to amortization, depletion of oil wells and domestic production income(<a href="http://www.eenews.net/public/EEDaily/2010/06/16/4">E&E Daily</a>, June 16).While the petroleum industry is under pressure because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Slocum said, "they're still able to muster an awfully lot of support" within Congress.API and the oil industry over the past year changed its approach toward the push for climate legislation in Congress, Slocum said. The industry largely opposed the House bill that passed in June 2009. That bill, <a href="http://www.eenews.net/features/bills/111/House/060709182643.pdf">H.R. 2454,</a> (pdf) capped carbon emissions and set up a program for buying and selling pollution permits. While it gave away a large number of free allowances to utilities and industries that rely on energy, it allocated almost none to oil refiners. The oil industry condemned that policy, calling it a redistribution of wealth.The oil industry then struck a deal with lead Senate Democrats as Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) crafted their climate bill, said Slocum, who said that he was part of an April conference call where Kerry talked about that arrangement. The industry agreed not to condemn the legislation and Kerry's "<a href="http://www.eenews.net/public/25/16580/features/documents/2010/05/19/document_daily_01.pdf">American Power Act</a> (pdf)" set up a special emissions trading program for the oil industry."That was part of the nonaggression pact that was essentially signed," Slocum said.Copyright 2010 E&E Publishing. All Rights Reserved.<nyt_author_id><div id="authorId" style="clear: both; font-style: italic;">For more news on energy and the environment, visit <a href="http://www.greenwire.com/">www.greenwire.com</a>.
Greenwire is published by Environment & Energy Publishing. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/supplemental-content.html">Read More »</a></div></nyt_author_id></div></nyt_text></div><div>
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=Eric Wohlschlegel bought his first Capitol Hill row house in 1996, at the age of 26, after saving $20,000 working two jobs for two years. He lived in the smallest room, renting out the others. Three years later, while working as a Hill staffer, he tapped the growing equity for a downpayment on his second row house (and current home). Today, the director of media relations for the American Petroleum Institute owns all or part of five properties in Washington, D.C., and a house in Palm Springs, Calif.=

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