By Charles J. Mankin

In 1954, as a graduate student at the University of Texas, Professor Ronald DeFord advised me that if I wished to become a professional geologist I should apply for membership in AAPG, the world's largest professional geological organization. That was some of the best advice that I have ever received.

Over the years, through publications, attendance at national and regional meetings, committee activities and communicating with a lot of very bright people, the AAPG has served as a primary measure of scientific and professional excellence. It stands to reason that if you "want to be the best that you can be," then you should affiliate with the best.

In the four-plus decades that I have been a member of AAPG, I have enjoyed a busy, challenging and exciting career. I attribute a large measure of that success to the associations that have resulted from activities with the AAPG.

It is in that context that I would like to have the opportunity to serve as secretary of the Association.

AAPG was established 83 years ago to serve petroleum geologists in a fledgling new industry. In the years that followed, the Association met the needs of its members through technical publications, meetings, short courses and products from a broad range of committees. The success of these efforts is demonstrated by a large continuing membership.

As an energy-hungry world consumes an ever-increasing amount of fossil fuel, the challenge for the petroleum geologist of the future is first to understand the existing base of knowledge developed by those who have gone before, and to expand upon that base to discover and develop more of those remaining resources in environmentally sound ways. To serve those petroleum geologists, the AAPG must continue to be a primary disseminator of scientific and technical information as well as a source of professional support for its members.

The mechanisms and tools to accomplish these goals will continue to change through time, but the basic mission should remain intact. I would be most pleased to be able to contribute to that process as a member of the Executive Committee.