Candidates for AAPG office have been given the opportunity to respond briefly to the subject: "Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office."
Their responses and biographical information were provided by each candidate and edited only for grammar, spelling and format.
This information will also be provided as hard-copy in the January issue of the EXPLORER and available on the AAPG Web site through the election period. Ballots will be mailed, online in the first quarter of 2012. Results will be posted mid-May 2012.
Candidates were asked to limit their biographies to 350 words and responses to 500 words.
2011-12 President-Elect Candidate
Donald D. Clarke Learn about Don Clarke
Consultant - Lakewood, California
Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office ...
AAPG is the pre-eminent geoscience organization in the petroleum industry. This was attained by the hard work of volunteers and the headquarters staff. As one of those volunteers I have served on the Executive Committee, the Advisory Council and as the chairman of the House of Delegates. I pledge to maintain AAPG’s excellence in publications, meetings and field trips and also pursue evolving technologies as AAPG continues its metamorphosis into a global organization.
There are four new goals I’d like to accomplish as president. First we need to strengthen public outreach. There are two reasons for this:
- The public needs to be educated in the geosciences so they can make sound energy decisions for the future. We can do this through the schools, service organizations, politicians and the news media. AAPG has to be the trusted place to go for factual information on the energy geosciences.
- We need more public awareness so that our universities can graduate more geologists. The focus will be on K-12 students and their teachers.
The profession is changing dramatically. AAPG is more international, there are more women in the profession, more racial and cultural diversity, methods of communication are different and technology is changing. More change is needed if AAPG is going to remain the preeminent association of geoscientists. We must always keep in mind that AAPG runs as both an association and a business. The balance is critical.
AAPG holds great conventions but nothing is perfect. A review of the convention process is in order. We should look at ways to eliminate waste, review the contract policies and examine the locations for future meetings. The locations for the conventions should be chosen to provide a good diversity for the members and not over tax a few specific societies, Sections or Regions. It is tough to satisfy the needs of all but it needs to be done to keep AAPG vibrant.
Finally AAPG needs to have a strong plan for service to the members – A plan for the good times and for the bad times. This will guarantee service to the members all of the time. The Strategic Plan is a start but it is incomplete.
When you see me at the next AAPG meeting please share your ideas on how to make our great organization better. AAPG will stay strong and effective only by adjusting to the changes about us. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you as AAPG president.
About Don Clarke ...
Consulting Geologist
Born 1949, Los Angeles, Calif.
Academic Degrees
- 1972 B.S., geology, California State University, Northridge
- 1972-74 Joint Masters Program, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, Long Beach
Experience
- 2004-present Consulting geologist
- 2003-present Part time faculty, Petroleum Geology, University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering
- 2000-04 Part time faculty, Physical Geology, Compton Community College
- 1981-2004 City geologist, City of Long Beach, Department of Oil Properties, Division Engineer
- 1974-81 Senior geologist, California State Lands Commission
AAPG Activities
Joined AAPG 1986
Member DEG and EMD
Foundation Trustee Associate
- 2010-present Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, Board of Directors
- 2006-present HoD At-Large Member
- 2005-present Professional Women in the Geosciences Committee (PROWESS); Astrogeology Committee
- 2003-present Membership / Recruitment / Enhancement / Career Services
- 2001-present Public Outreach Committee chair
- 1988-present Delegate; HoD Committees: Constitution and Bylaws, Resolutions, Honors and Awards, Credentials, Nomination and Election and newsletter chaired and served multiple times
- 2008-09 President, Pacific Section, AAPG
- 2005-08 Executive Committee Liaison and Committee manager for many committees
- 2001-08 Preservation of Geoscience Data Committee
- 2006-07 AAPG Advisory Council
- 2005-06 Chairman of the House of Delegates; Graduated Dues Committee vice chair
- 2004-05 Domestic Sections Committee chair
- 2002-04 Geotours Committee chair
- 2001-04 DEG Advisory Board
- 1998-2004 Reservoir Development Committee vice chair
- 2001-03 AAPG Advisory Council
- 1996-2002 President, Los Angeles Basin Geologic Society; DEG Charter Member
Part of two AAPG delegations to Washington D.C.
Member of two National Research Council Committees: Geoscience Data and Collections, 2001 and Induced Seismicity, 2011
AAPG Honors and Awards
California Registered Geologist #3583
Licensed Texas Professional Geoscientist #4860
- 2010 HoD 15-Year Certificate of Service; Distinguished Member of the House Award
- 2009 Certificates of Merit for Membership Recruitment Committee and Pacific Section President
- 2008 DEG Certificate of Merit for 2007 Annual Meeting DEG vice chair
- 2006 House Recognition of Service Award
- 2005 Certificate of Merit for Domestic Sections Committee
- 2004 Certificate of Merit for GeoTours Committee; DEG Public Outreach Award
- 2002 AAPG Distinguished Service Award
Publications
- Over 60 published abstracts and papers on the Los Angeles basin geology and computer mapping techniques.
- Three geologic guidebooks on the geology and oil development of the Los Angeles Basin.
- One movie appearance on the Swiss documentary "A Crude Awakening."
- Several television appearances including the National Geographic series "Man Made," episode "Gallon of Gas"; History/Discovery Channel series "Trashopolis," episode 9; VBS Television "LA's Hidden Wells."
AAPG President-Elect Responsibilities as defined by AAPG Bylaws, Article II, Section 5.
The President-Elect shall serve for one (1) year as such and in the following year shall assume the office of President. The President-Elect shall have no administrative authority except as a member of the Executive Committee; shall become acquainted with all the details of the office of President, and generally become prepared to serve as President. The President-Elect shall be responsible for the preparation of the budget for the ensuing fiscal year for approval by the Executive Committee.