It's a great honor to be extended the invitation to stand for the office of AAPG Secretary and I humbly thank my nominators and the Advisory Council for affording me this opportunity. I accepted the offer to be a candidate because serving a larger role in AAPG represents a means to not only challenge myself as a geologist working in industry, but also give back to an Association which profoundly shaped my career path.

I joined AAPG in 2003 with the encouragement of two geologists: my dad and Dr. Ed Roy, under whom I had the opportunity to study as an undergraduate at Trinity University. While in graduate school in Dallas, I joined SMU's AAPG Student Chapter, where I became familiar with the many educational and professional programs and resources available to students and experienced professionals alike. I went on to serve as co-president of the Chapter and was honored to help accept the AAPG Domestic Student Chapter of the Year award on behalf of SMU in 2009. From my Student Chapter experience grew the opportunity to serve on both the Student Chapters Committee and the Young Professionals Committee (now Special Interest Group), which I currently co-chair. It was only with the leadership and networking skills I learned as an AAPG volunteer, the relationships I made while serving on committees and the ability to participate in the AAPG Student Expo in Houston that I had the professional connections required to obtain my current position.

Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege to witness the Young Professionals Committee grow from an all but defunct entity into the flourishing international community it is today. It has been thrilling to see, and be a part of, the Young Professionals' journey to not only find and define their voice within the Association, but also contribute to conversations on mentorship, energy policy, environmental stewardship, governance, community outreach and advancing the science of petroleum geology. Since 2012 I have assisted in chronicling the YPs' achievements by regularly editing articles for and contributing to the AAPG Explorer standing column "ProTracks." The membership of AAPG is the Association's most valuable asset. I'm consistently inspired by the professional, creative and charitable work done by AAPG members to be a better geologist, and a better person.

Having served for several years as recording secretary for the YP Committee/SIG as well as for a Houston chapter of an international organization dedicated to the advancement of women, I understand the level of commitment and meticulousness required in such an office. To be able to lend my services in the role of AAPG Secretary does not begin to absolve the debt of gratitude I feel toward the Association. The past few years have challenged our industry's perceptions of efficiency and innovation, but our resilience has never been questioned. I believe AAPG will be an integral part of the recovery and it would be my pleasure to assist with that endeavor.