By DONALD W. LEWIS

Throughout my career, the AAPG has been an essential part of my professional life. In the early years, the BULLETIN was my main connection with AAPG and a constant source of new ideas and techniques. When I was able to attend a convention, I always returned to work with renewed enthusiasm, both for the profession of geology and to apply things I had learned or seen.

In the last several years, as my AAPG activity increased, I have seen and admired the amount of effort that many very active members give to AAPG. These activities benefit all of our members, from an ever-increasing BULLETIN quality, active continuing education program and mid-career education centers, an increasing number of student chapters, an active K-12 program and a visible government affairs program, to a rejuvenated Visiting Geologists Program and many, many other things.

It is with this view, that it is Active members who have made the association the premier organization that it is, that I consider it an honor to be asked to be an officer. I am eager to contribute what I can to help the association continue to move ahead.

One area of increasing opportunity in the AAPG is the evolving inclusion of non-American members in the governance of the association. I truly believe that this is the way forward for the association and will be very beneficial over the coming years. Having lived overseas for five years and having spent half my career in international exploration, I fully support this wholesome movement and hope that I will be able to assist it.

Another area of special interest to me is K-12 earth science education, having participated both in AAPG K-12 activities and as an Advisory Committee member for two new earth science curricula currently being published by the American Geological Institute.

Improving our K-12 earth science education is, to me, the absolute best way to ensure not only the continuation of our profession but to make a whole new generation more aware of our science and how it can make their decision-making processes better throughout their lives. There is a long way to go, however, and a lot of room for increased activity within AAPG.

There are many other things that can be done to keep AAPG moving forward. As a candidate, I welcome the challenge to assist in this opportunity to represent and assist the membership in as many ways as possible.