Vice President 2001-2002

Thomas S. Ahlbrandt, a candidate for AAPG vice president, is world energy project chief for the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver.

A native of Veteran, Wyo., he received his bachelor's and doctorate in geology at the University of Wyoming.

Ahlbrandt began his professional career with Exxon Production Research in 1973 before joining the USGS in Denver, where he worked from 1974-78 before joining MRO and Associates. In 1981 he became general partner with Petrostrat Exploration, where he worked until 1988, when he rejoined the USGS.

At the survey, Ahlbrandt has held several positions, including branch chief of petroleum geology, associate office chief for energy programs, and chief scientist for central region energy programs (acting).

He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Joining AAPG in 1979, Ahlbrandt is a delegate of the AAPG House and was elected chairman in 1995-96. He also served on the Technical Program Committee, the Geophysical Integration Committee and is presently a member of the Resource Evaluation Committee, the Convention Committee and is technical program chairman of the Denver 2001 AAPG annual meeting. He has also served as the AAPG representative to the American Association for the Advancement of Science Council.

Active in the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Ahlbrandt was named Outstanding Scientist by the group in 1999.

Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for AAPG Office

Donald W. Lewis, a candidate for vice president of AAPG, is a consultant in Lafayette, Calif., having previously worked for Chevron for 37 years.

A Los Angeles native, Lewis received his bachelor's degree in geology from the California Institute of Technology and his master's degree in geology from Northwestern University.

After joining Chevron in 1958, his career was equally divided between exploration assignments in the western United States and international venues, plus assignments with the Corporate Computer Service and Corporate Planning groups.

Beginning with field work in Utah and then on the North Slope of Alaska, his U.S. work included seven years working in the San Joaquin Basin of California. Turning to international exploration, Lewis spent five years in Australia and Indonesia, and then managed Chevron's exploration in Asia Pacific and Europe for another nine years.

His most recent positions were general manager of exploration for the western U.S. and corporation chief geologist.

An AAPG member since 1958, Lewis is a member of the House of Delegates, has been chair of the House Nominations Committee and currently serves as chair of the House Future of Earth Scientists committee. He has been a speaker in the Visiting Geologist Program, technical program coordinator for the 1996 AAPG annual meeting in San Diego, has served on the Standing Technical Program and Corporate Liaison committees, and is chair of the Earth Science Teacher of the Year subcommittee of the Youth Education and Activities Committee.

An AAPG Foundation Trustee Associate, Lewis represents the Pacific Section on the AAPG Advisory Council and is a charter member of the Division of Environmental Geosciences.

Lewis is immediate past-president of the Northern California Geological Society. He pursues his interest in Earth Science K-12 education by serving on the American Geological Institute's Advisory Committees for two new earth Science Curricula, Investigating Earth Systems for grades 5-8 and Earth Science in the Community for high school. He recently has been asked to join the Advisory Board for a third new earth science text being considered by the AGI.