AAPG! What an invaluable organization, with outstanding programs and services, and a very dedicated staff.
With humility, I’m honored to have been nominated by the Advisory Council and selected by the Executive Committee to run for the position of president-elect.
I began volunteering for AAPG in 1982, at the annual convention in Calgary, my hometown, and at that time I never would have thought years later I would have the opportunity to be the general chair of the 2005 Annual Convention and Exhibition (ACE) in Calgary, and then general chair of the 2010 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition (ICE), let alone now running for president-elect. During all my years in Calgary, I’ve also been a long-time volunteer in my local affiliated Society, the CSPG and served my fellow Canadians as their president.
My career as a Petroleum Geologist has been focused on exploration. I am currently vice president of exploration and operations at MGM Energy, an independent company boldly exploring in the Canadian Arctic. Exploration, and new discoveries that result, are energizing and drive me everyday. Geology led me into this vocation and into AAPG as a young professional, and from there I have never stopped working to build a better AAPG for the members.
For me, first and foremost, AAPG is about science – applied science, which originates from our practicing industry members, as well as pure science from our academic members. AAPG’s audacious goal, “to be indispensable to all professionals in the energy-related geosciences worldwide,” is a great future state, but to become “indispensable worldwide” is about more than science. Collegiality, mentorship, volunteering, professionalism and services – including publications, conferences, GTWs and educational opportunities overall – are very important to each of us, and we need to continuously develop ways to produce even better programs and services.
If I am elected your new president-elect, I have a number of areas that I want to work with you in advancing:
- Disseminate more; we now have the Bulletin, Search and Discovery and the inaugural Interpretation magazine this fall. How do we focus on adding more value from these important resources for our members?
- Establishment of technical interest groups; not quite Divisions, but more than committees; can we grow the membership by bringing members together through shared enthusiasm of our scientific, technical or diversity interests?
- Build on our Regions and Sections; how can AAPG help these geographically focused groups become even more valuable by working as cohesive teams?
- Empower our Young Professionals; encourage them to build new programs and services for their current and future needs?
Lastly, certainly the high points of my volunteer career included being the chairman of the House of Delegates, serving as the first international vice president-Regions and receiving AAPG Honorary membership. These were invaluable experiences and honors, which have helped prepare me for this office. If I’m fortunate enough to become your future president, I want to share my enthusiasm and energy for AAPG with each and every member and inspire those that are not yet members to join us.
Simply said, I would greatly appreciate your views, and especially your vote, next spring. Win or lose, I hope you will all consider making the time to get involved with all of us to make AAPG great!