Officers
As Leadership Changes the House Remains in Good Hands
Fellow AAPG Members: The House of Delegates had a strong contingent of delegates from the Affiliated Societies present at the AAPG Annual Meeting in Houston. In this issue you will find articles on the discussions and votes taken by your delegates. Congratulations to the Delegates who make up the House of Delegates for an efficient annual meeting. While I attempted to inject a subtle bit of humor, the most important characterization was the open, honest, respectful and thoughtful debate of the proposals brought by the HoD Committees for Delegate action.
During my report, I pointed to the facts of a busy life sometimes not knowing if one is coming or going. At times I am not certain if I am in the hot air balloon basket about to hit the outhouse or I am in the outhouse.
I do know I careen about while trying to maintain a course and reach a goal. Including the ups and downs of the HoD chair trip, it has been a true honor to represent all of you and receive your thoughtful input on the issues that have come before us. It was a privilege to serve you with all those who chaired and served on our HoD Committees. All worked diligently to fulfill their missions, which they did. Their good work is the principal reason the annual meeting was thorough and yet proceeded smoothly. Their names are listed on the last page. I hope you will take a moment when you see them and say thank you.
David Rensink, AAPG president, more than any other member I know, deserves our heartfelt appreciation for employing a real world, common sense based approach to leadership and the work of the Executive Committee. When I think of David and our outgoing Executive Director, Rick Fritz, I can say I am better because our paths have crossed. In fact I can honestly say that I am a better business person and geologist because my path has intersected that of so many of you.
AAPG provides many opportunities to serve the greater geoscience community, improve our skills and develop our contact bases in the process. Whether you are serving on a resource, membership, public outreach or any other committee, you will be making an important contribution to yourself and AAPG. Please volunteer to serve.
I can speak from a firsthand experience that the members of the Executive Committee with whom I have served, Jim McGhay, Marvin Brittenham, Alfredo Guzman, William Houston, Steve Laubach, and Paul Weimer are all truly committed from a desire to do what is best for AAPG and its members. They are each outstanding geologists with excellent leadership skills. I am often in awe of their demeanor and ability to produce results. One only has to look at the quality and depth of The Delegates’ Voice to understand Patrick Gooding’s importance and contributions to the work and transparency of the House. Jeff Lund has been a trusted wingman of the first order. He is working with Sharie Sartain of Houston to develop a Delegate’s Handbook which I believe we will all find useful. Your choice of these leaders to serve has made my load lighter and the outcome much better.
I want to thank Ed Heath, Larry Jones, and George Bole who as past chairs served on an ad hoc Committee providing sage counsel. This group, among others, who I counted as voices I needed to hear, certainly included Don Clarke, Clint Moore, John Hogg, Robbie Gries, Steve Sonnenberg and Ed Dolly. Lastly, once more, I want to emphasize the great work of the AAPG staff especially Regina Gill, Vicki Beighle, Donna Riggs, Janice Scott, Janet Brister, Carol McGowen and each and every one of the Directors. Thank you again for the great honor to serve AAPG through the House of Delegates.