The Illinois Oil and Gas Association has announced that a southeastern Illinois man is the new executive director for the organization. Jim Elder of Carmi in White County is the new man. He succeeds Robert Stewart of Mount Vernon in the position. Elder is an Eastern Illinois University and Southern Methodist University graduate with a degree in Earth Sciences-Geography-Geology. He joined Reed Tool Company upon graduation and has spent his entire career in the oil and gas service industry. The I.O.G.A. is a group of oil and gas producers, landowners, royalty owners, service producers and others located in the Illinois Basin area.