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 2013. Results will be posted mid-May 2013.
Candidates were asked to limit their biographies to 350 words and responses to 500 words.
2012-13 President-Elect Candidate
Kay L. Pitts Learn about Kay L. Pitts
Aera Energy - Bakersfield, Calif.
Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office ...
I have learned during my years in the oil industry that success and fulfillment is about recognizing and taking hold of opportunities. Through AAPG I have had the opportunity to be educated as an energy professional, to network with the finest geoscientists in the world, to be mentored, to mentor and now to give back to AAPG. I desire to move forward the excellent work and fundamental AAPG concepts our predecessors have envisioned. We need to listen to each other’s ideas so we adopt the best methods to develop our profession, spread our message and honor our foundational principles of science, integrity and professionalism.
We have multiple challenges, some of which have been with us for decades. They don’t have quick fixes and will require hard work for years to come. These include developing our younger membership, and our global membership and continuing to provide high value to all members while remaining fiscally sound. We also have tremendous opportunities:
- Science is a cornerstone of AAPG. We need to expand the dissemination of scientific studies resulting from work funded by AAPG. I will work with the Foundation and AAPG committees that recommend research funding on implementing ways to distribute information to our members as well as to a broader base of interested parties. Some of those interested parties could include school teachers as well as politicians, media and general community groups interested in our industry.
- The Advisory Council needs to meet a timeline to incorporate input from membership and complete the Strategic Plan update. The Plan is our guide for future success and the Advisory Council members are critical for developing the plan and ensuring its success. I will partner with members, staff and sister organizations to implement the identified high priorities.
- It is obvious that we must continue to factor long-term budgetary forecasts and prudent fiscal constraints into our decisions. We have been able to balance new member services and global-office expansion with good budgetary years but the global recession has affected AAPG’s profit and loss. Everything must be on the table for evaluation in our budgets and those agendas that serve membership in the framework of economic prudence will remain priorities. The process to ensure long-term viability for our organization involves including ideas and lessons learned through experience, for which there is no substitute.
- We must demonstrate the benefits of AAPG and membership in AAPG to the global geoscience community. Through prior activities with AAPG I understand the delicate balance between U.S. membership and expanding our global presence. I am fortunate to have developed personal relationships with leaders in all Sections and Regions through my years of service in AAPG. I have learned to listen to and trust the leadership for specific advice on how to best project the value of AAPG to the global geoscience community.
I understand and appreciate the challenges AAPG faces in fostering scientific research, advancing the science of geology, and inspiring high professional conduct. More specifically, I understand and appreciate the fiscal, domestic, and global issues through serving AAPG in my local society, section and the association for the past 30 years. I consider it an honor to be considered a candidate and believe my track record with AAPG demonstrates my commitment and ability to make decisions and to see them through for the benefit of AAPG and the membership.
About Kay L. Pitts ...
Business Resources Program Manager, Aera Energy, Bakersfield, Calif.
Born 1954, Dearborn, Mich.
Academic Degrees
M.S., geological science, University of Southern California
B.A., earth science, California State University, Fullerton
Experience
1998-present
Reservoir management geoscientist, project manager, process analyst, program manager, Aera Energy, Bakersfield, Calif.
1987-98
Database geologist, supervisor, Bechtel Petroleum Operations, Tupman, Calif.
1984-87
California exploration geologist, Nevada/Utah area exploration coordinator, Texaco (U.S.), Bakersfield, Calif.
1980-84
Development geologist, area leader, Getty Oil, Bakersfield, Calif.
AAPG Activities
Joined AAPG 1979
Member DPA, DEG, EMD
Foundation Trustee Associate
2012
General chair ACE
2008-14
Imperial Barrel Award Committee
2009-12
Global Events Oversight Committee
2009-10, 2004-05
Tactical Operations Ad Hoc Committee
2008-10
AAPG treasurer
Investment Committee
Audit Review Committee chair
2008-10, 2000-03
Budget Review and Finance Committee (chair 2008-10)
2001-10
Group Insurance Committee (vice chair 2004-07)
2004-09
Committee Oversight Committee
2006-09
Professional Women in Earth Sciences Committee
HoD delegate
2006-08
HoD Resolutions Committee
2007
ACE general vice chair
2003-06
HoD alternate
2004-05
Future of Earth Scientists vice chair
1997-2002
Pacific Section secretary, vice president, president-elect, president, past-president
2000-01
Reservoir Development Committee
1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008
Pacific Section Convention Organizing Committees
1984-85
San Joaquin Geological Society secretary
AAPG Honors and Awards
2011
AAPG Certificate of Merit
2008
Pacific Section Honorary Life Membership
2007
AAPG Certificate of Merit
2004
Pacific Section Distinguished Service Award
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.