Annual Report 2007: FY July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007
President
Personally, my year as president of AAPG was both challenging and rewarding. Challenging because AAPG’s previous two presidents, Patrick J.F. Gratton and Peter R. Rose, devoted a nearly full-time work schedule to association duties. However, I maintained a full-time position as vice-president/exploration for Abraxas Petroleum Corp. I needed a management strategy to suit my situation. My role as president was more like the role of Chairman of the Board in business, and the Executive Committee (EC) served as the Board of Directors. We relied upon AAPG staff to execute our plans and ideas. Almost all of my interaction with staff was directly with Rick Fritz, AAPG’s executive director. We relied heavily on teamwork to accomplish our goals this past year, teamwork both within the EC and between the EC and AAPG staff.
Being president of AAPG is an enjoyable, demanding, and richly rewarding experience. Hopefully, members with the desire and talent will heed the call for nomination, if so chosen.
Many of the actions in 2006–2007 bore fruit because of the fertile ground prepared by the previous year ’s leadership of Rose. Hopefully, we likewise have “teed up” several good projects for 2007–2008 under Will Green.
I summarize last year’s activities under the following categories.
Advance the Science
- Committee structure–reviewed all committee mission statements, organized into groups with a committee manager for each group.
- Corporate Advisory Board (CAB)–revised charge and procedure for the former Corporate Advisory Committee. EC will proactively request advisory action on a variety of topics that will be submitted to CAB. Topics submitted this year are:
- Petroleum research grants–funding for graduate students, administered by AAPG, jointly funded by corporations, foundations and AAPG.
- Petroleum professors of practice-connecting qualified non-academic members with short-term academic assignments.
- Faculty endowments–endowed financial support, administered by AAPG Foundation and supported by industrial funds.
- Imperial Barrel Award–recommended by Steve Veal (past vice-president), international competition among students at annual convention, utilizes 3-D seismic and other subsurface data, team presentation on complete assessment of hydrocarbon potential.
- E&P Notes–approved new guidelines for apointment of “scouts” in various AAPG Sections and Regions, scouts serve as associate editors to find potential authors or data on topics of interest for the E&P Notes series, appointed special editor for E&P Notes.
- Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC)–after considerable review and discussion, AAPG submitted a proposal to become the manager for PTTC. This program has potential to expand AAPG.
Continued Professional Development and Global Expansion
- Distinguished Lecture program–expanded offerings, initiated a Distinguished Instructor for one or two day short courses (initial tour in Latin America and Europe).
- Annual Meetings
- Perth international meeting–well attended, financially successful, effective partnership with local society, well recognized as an AAPG-branded event.
- Long Beach convention–well attended, financially successful, beautiful venue, innovative programs (Imperial Barrel Award).
- APPEX meeting in London–well received, but weak attendance, not financially successful, changes in venue and marketing for next year.
- Endorsement and support for several upcoming, regional meetings next year (Columbia, Peru, Morocco, Russia, Halifax)
- London office–opened office with full and part time staff, coordinated APPEX, planned future events in Europe.
- Continuing Education–new courses offered, increased attendance at courses, improving financial model, but still a small financial deficit.
Public Awareness and Understanding
- Position Paper Policy–In cooperation with DPA, the EC approved a written policy on AAPG position papers and posted it on AAPG website.
- Position Papers–EC reviewed all existing papers, and after review and revision by Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of DPA, approved updated format and versions of all papers. Position Papers will have a consistent, shortened form.
- Global Climate Change–appointed broadly representative ad hoc committee to review AAPG position, committee unanimously recommended a revised statement, posted statement on AAPG Web site for 30 days for member comment, reviewed comments, revised and shortened new statement (as recommended by member postings), submitted to GAC of DPA for review, GAC re-submitted changes, and EC approved revised statement.
- Global Climate Change Standing Committee–submitted mission statement for permanent committee, part of committee charge will be to develop FAQ format for disseminating wide range of facts on the topic
- GEO-DC–mobilized several action alerts to members via e-mail, members responded with important written opinions to U.S. government agencies in support of hydrocarbon development, appointed ad hoc committee to prepare background information to a Congressional committee, coordinated attendance by several AAPG leaders at Congressional Visits Day.
- Rocks in Your Head Program–through AAPG Foundation and efforts by Joanne Billingsley, supported teaching the course to educators from an entire San Antonio, Texas school district.
Membership and Membership Services
- Membership applications and sponsorship forms–established digital submission.
- Corporate group membership program–began offering membership through companies, full dues paid for each member at corporate level, individual members still must qualify for various levels of membership, companies receive a discount on digital publications, effective means of solving international banking and currency issues.
- Graduated dues–by-law amendment passed House of Delegates by required two-thirds majority, implementation of new structure beginning with new members in 2007–2008.
After spending a busy, immersive year as AAPG president, I am more convinced than ever of the important mission of the Association. AAPG is the most qualified entity to provide the bridge between academia, petroleum industry, government and the public. Within the geoscientific community we also provide the crucial services of: creation and organization of technical information, connection between professionals, and promotion of petroleum geoscience as a profession. Volunteering with AAPG is rewarding on several levels, such as, personal networking, developing leadership skills and “Paying it forward.”
I thank the staff at AAPG, lead by Rick Fritz; our team oriented Executive Committee; the many thoughtful members, and especially my wife, Joanne. She supported my extra time consuming efforts to do my best as president, served as a gracious First (and only) Lady, and contributed to AAPG’s efforts to connect to K-12 students.