Acting Gulf of America Regional Director
Laura Robbins is currently serving as the Acting Gulf of America Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). In this role, she oversees all leasing activities, regulatory oversight, and resource management for offshore energy and marine mineral development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of America.
Prior to her current appointment, Robbins led BOEM’s Gulf of America’s Region as the Deputy Regional Director and previously led the Risk Management and Operations Group, where she was instrumental in shaping policies and procedures to ensure responsible offshore energy development.
The Gulf of America OCS is the nation’s primary offshore source of hydrocarbons, accounting for approximately 97 percent of all U.S. offshore oil and natural gas production. Under Robbins’ leadership, the region is also playing a key role in managing a dynamic marine minerals program that supports coastal restoration and resilience.
Robbins brings extensive experience across multiple federal agencies, having held positions with the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Education.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University–Commerce. Her professional journey began in the oil and gas sector, where she rose to the role of Chief Financial Officer in the private sector before transitioning to public service.