The Independent Petroleum Association of America announced today that it has hired two former House Republican aides to lobby for expanded oil and natural gas drilling and work with companies drilling in the West.

Mallori McClure, a former aide to Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), will join IPAA's government relations team with a focus on expanding outreach to oil and gas producers in the West, and Samantha McDonald, who previously worked for Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), will work with IPAA on issues related to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and in Southeast states.

Both of their former bosses were vocal supporters of the oil and gas industry, which is prevalent in both Colorado and Louisiana. That background will be an asset for their work at IPAA, the group's president said.

"Mallori's and Samantha's experience on Capitol Hill, both advising legislators who not only sat on the House Natural Resources Committee, but who represent important energy-producing states primes them perfectly to advocate for America's independent oil and natural gas producers inside the Beltway," IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell said in a statement today. "Their legislative expertise in energy and environment issues will be a vital asset as these issues move into the spotlight in the 113th Congress."