AAPG Site Search | Home > Leadership > House of Delegates > The Delegates' Voice JUNE 2001 > Awards
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Honorary Life Member of AAPG House of DelegatesThis is the first year for AAPG's House of Delegates to formally honor members whose contributions to the House have been noteworthy and sustained. Whenever an organization makes a "first-time award", you can bet the honoree is a very special person, whose contributions have been indeed extraordinary. Pat Gratton is just such an extraordinary person, HOD's first Honorary Life Member. Pat is an independent petroleum geologist, oil and gas producer, and consultant, with more than 44 years of professional experience, most in geologic provinces of the American Southwest. His career has followed the characteristic pathway of Independents, from large corporations (Shell), to a series of smaller companies (Delhi Taylor, Capitan, and Nearburg), to independent practice since 1970. Currently he has working interests in about 70 producing wells in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. He and his lovely wife, Jean Marie live in Dallas. They raised four children, Sara, Vivian, Patrick and Lizabeth (deceased), and are proud grandparents of Brian Davis and Julia Gratton. Taking part in professional organizations is one of the key attributes of a professional. Pat has always taken an active role in local geological societies wherever he and Jean Marie lived, as well as in national organizations such as AIPG and SIPES, industry focus groups such as TIPRO, TPAG, PTTC, and DEC, plus his alma mater's alumni support group, the University of New Mexico Foundation, where he is a Director. In these organizations Pat often served as an officer; most of them have recognized his productive leadership and unselfish contributions through many formal awards and honors. Throughout these activities Jean Marie has provided unwavering help and encouragement, generously opening their home for countless meetings and planning sessions, giving wise counsel, and sitting patiently through countless discussions about petroleum geology, professionalism and society affairs. The Lord only knows how many covered-dish suppers Jean Marie has sponsored; what a support system! A member of AAPG since 1960, Pat Gratton has served on many committees. He was an early member of AAPG's Division of Professional Affairs (CPG#162), and has (characteristically) remained active in DPA committee work, even after his term as President in 1989-90. Today, we honor Pat for his long, steady, constructive, innovative, wise and courageous service and leadership to the House of Delegates. He is now in his fourth term in the House. He served 2-year hitches on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee (Chairman, 1992-93), and International Member Participation Committee (Chairman, 1994-95). In 1996-97, Pat Gratton was Chairman of the House of Delegates, unquestionably one of the most productive and influential Chairmen the House has ever had. During his term the HOD (1) restructured its offices and responsibilities to improve continuity, communications, and effectiveness; (2) created three important new standing committees; (3) encouraged and oversaw the emergence of the HOD Newsletter as an essential vehicle for discussion of proposed legislation and overall Association issues; (4) engendered a number of important resolutions and Bylaws changes; (5) encouraged and received the compilation of records comprising the HOD's history from 1970 to 1995; and (6) served the entire Association well in his one-year tour on the AAPG Executive Committee. After 1997, Pat has, typically, continued to engage in HOD committee work, not resting on his laurels! In the 1990's decade, the HOD has been the primary agent of constructive change in governance and administration of AAPG favoring the interests of the general membership. It is no exaggeration to say that Pat Gratton, personally and through his mentoring of many others, has been the House's most effective, influential, and visionary leader. Organizational change is usually painful, especially when a management system has been long entrenched, and AAPG has been no exception. Pat has taken more than his share of hits over the past four years, some below the waterline. Nevertheless, without complaint, he has persevered, with manifest integrity, good faith, perceptive humor, rare patience, remarkable insight, energetic planning, and organizational innovativeness, serving AAPG faithfully, where those of lesser character would have given up. Over the past two years particularly, he has repeatedly spoken out in various AAPG venues, on various controversial topics, where it would have been far more politic for him to remain silent. Pat is no elitist -- his concern is always for the welfare of the membership. He is always guided by principles of equity, courage, candor, and constructiveness. He sets a very high standard by which future HOD honorees will be judged.
Distinguished Member of the House AwardAAPG House of Delegates Dan Smith's tenure in the House of Delegates began in 1982 as a representative from the Houston Geological Society. Through the last eighteen years of continuous service to the House he was Foreman of the Houston Delegation and has chaired the Nominating Committee, Constitution and Bylaws and the Special Resolution Committee on International and Domestic Representation. Dan was Chairman of the House in 1997-98, a time when controversial issues and changes to the Constitution and By-laws of AAPG were being considered. Dan's quiet reserve and diplomatic qualities were able to accommodate even the most vocal personalities while he was Chairman. Even after his Chairmanship, Dan has maintained an active role in the House, working on various committees, such as the Committee on House Procedures. Dan has been a very successful businessman as well. He has been an active and productive geologist for over 42 years, starting with Pan American Petroleum Corporation (now BP-Amoco) in 1958. From major company to independent organization, and now an "independent" in his own right, Dan has been a prolific oil finder throughout the Gulf Coast. He is a father of four wonderful children and a husband of 45+ years to his wife, Laura. This service to the House of Delegates has led him to be one of the first recipients of the Distinguished Member of the House Award:
Distinguished Member of the House AwardAAPG House of Delegates A native of Great Bend, Kansas, Brenda came to Midland with her husband Bob in June of 1974 and has never left. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from The University of Texas, Permian Basin in 1977 and started her career with Enserch Exploration. Brenda also worked for Cotton Petroleum, Stone Petroleum and McDonnold Companies before becoming co-founder of West Texas Digital, Inc. in 1988. Brenda accepted a position at ARCO Permian in 1995, where she continues to work as a Staff Geologist. Brenda has indeed distinguished herself within the House of Delegates, initially being elected as a delegate in 1987 representing the West Texas Geological Society. It took very little time for Brenda to make an impact in the House of Delegates as evident by her election as Chairman of the House in 1989. She is serving her fifth consecutive term as a delegate for the WTGS. In her 14 years in the House of Delegates she served on the Credentials Committee, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, the Nomination and Election Committee, and as the Chairman of the Resolution Committee. Brenda has distinguished herself not only in her involvement and dedication to the House but also by her presence on the floor. During debates on matters brought before the House she has been very proactive and instrumental in steering these discussions. Brenda's comments and advice have been very valuable to the delegates in their deliberations on the many and varied issues before the House. Brenda's involvement extends to all levels of the geological community. She joined the AAPG in 1977 and is a Certified Petroleum Geologist. Her AAPG activities include serving on the AAPG Management Committee and the Committee on Committees, as well as being an officer candidate. The AAPG honored her in 1995 with their Distinguished Service Award. Involvement with the Southwest Section includes serving on committees, Chairman of the Honors and Award Committee, and being elected as Secretary. Brenda has been elected to several offices and served on and chaired various committees for the WTGS as well as the Permian Basin Section SEPM, culminating in her election to President of both organizations. Brenda was awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the WTGS and the Dedicated Service Award from the Permian Basin Section SEPM. Brenda has also shared her geological knowledge by teaching on an adjunct basis for Midland College and the Permian Basin Graduate Center.
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In this issue ...Officers
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PATRICK
J.F. GRATTON 
DANIEL
L. SMITH 
TOP
BRENDA
K. CUNNINGHAM