AAPG-ER News
Changing Faces in AAPG Regional Offices
Carol Cain McGowen
AAPG - U.S. Sections & International Regions Manager
The third quarter of 2009 brought several staffing transitions as AAPG continues its global outreach to geoscientists around the world. We say farewell to Steve Veal and welcome to Adrienne Pereira and Jeremy Richardson.
Farewell, Steve Veal
It takes a certain kind of person to take the first step to prove a new idea. That kind of entrepreneur is Steve Veal, who in 2006, became the Director of AAPG’s first international office in London. Now, after three-and-one-half years of firmly establishing AAPG’s presence in the European Region, Veal is moving on to focus full time on his own company, DCX Resources. We thank Steve for his contribution to the globalization of AAPG.
Heading the first international office meant Veal carried responsibility for many “firsts”, such as securing office space, hiring office staff, building relationships in the UK and with AAPG’s affiliated societies and international sister organizations. During his tenure as European Office Director, Veal initiated local events providing essential services to European Region geoscientists, while also ensuring a financially stable office.
Veal’s qualifications proved indispensable for navigating the uncharted waters associated conducting AAPG business outside the U.S. and registering to do business within the U.K. Having previously served as AAPG Vice President, Veal understood the timing and process followed by AAPG’s Executive Committee to make decisions and approve budget proposals, and enjoyed good working relationships with AAPG headquarters.
But Veal’s forte and passion was to organize small-scale local events that helped to bring AAPG science to the doorstep of European Region geoscientists. As a seasoned geoscientist, identifying relevant, timely subject matter for conferences and luncheon speakers was already part of his lexicon. Veal initiated geoscience luncheons in Aberdeen and short courses in London. His talent for making AAPG’s services accessible throughout the Region was evidenced by offering low-cost, regional scale conferences, such as the AAPG European Region Conference in Oslo for 2008 and Paris for 2009.
During his tenure, Veal served three European Region Presidents: Past President, John Brooks, Immediate Past President, Istvan Berczi, and current President, David Cook.
Berczi worked with Veal for two years and praised his work to establish the first non-U.S. AAPG office as, “contributing greatly to the internationalisation of the AAPG”. Berczi cites other laudable achievements by Veal including, promotion of the Imperial Barrel Award Program in the region.
Says Berczi, “Thanks to Steve, the IBA in Europe has become what is really a success story when universities with non-English language training go on to become global winners.”, referring to the Moscow State University team taking first place in the 2009 global IBA competition.
Current European Region President, David Cook, expressed his appreciation for Veal’s service in this way, ”The Region has benefited enormously from Steve’s creativity and enthusiasm in his position as London Office Director over the past few years. Many of the new initiatives in Europe were Steve’s ideas, and on behalf of the AAPG European Region Council, I would like to thank him for his contributions.”
Considering that Veal worked part time for AAPG while maintaining his own company makes his achievements in the European Regin all the more significant. By building on Veal’s achievements and development of the Region office, Cook, sees a bright future for the Region that has matured its programs and services to a level requiring a full-time staff of professionals.
Welcome, Adrienne Pereira
Effective September 14, AAPG engaged Ms. Adrienne Pereira to work with the Association in the Asia Pacific Region as an independent contractor. Adrienne will continue in this capacity while AAPG incorporates as a charitable organization in Singapore. Adrienne brings a wealth of experiences from conference marketing, logistics and management to government protocol and staff development.
Alan Wegener, AAPG Global Development & Conventions Director, views Adrienne’s position strategically. According to Wegener, “With Asia’s robust growth and a diverse and motivated Region leadership, AAPG has incredible opportunities in Asia. Adrienne has the drive and expertise to help cultivate the contacts and relationships we’ll need to build membership and develop new programs. With more than 24 years experience building and planning events in Singapore, she’s traveled and worked with professionals from most countries. That’s extremely important because she understands the cultural nuances and how business gets done.”
Working closely with Asia Pacific Region officers, AAPG Regions management, AAPG affiliated societies and other interested parties, Adrienne will help develop and deliver new programs and services to members and other geosciences professionals of the Region. Plans are already underway for offering Geosciences Technology Workshops (GTWs), short courses, topical conferences and symposia in the coming year. Singapore based, Adrienne will also enable AAPG to build closer relationships with the key NOCs, IOCs and services companies in the area.
Asia Pacific Region President, Joe Lambiase, sees Adrienne as a welcome addition to the regional team. And on behalf of the Region Council, he said, "AAPG membership has been expanding rapidly in our geographically and culturally diverse region, and we feel fortunate to have someone as capable as Adrienne to maintain effective communication, coordinate activities and organize events. The expertise and experience that Adrienne brings to the new Regional Office in Singapore will be a catalyst for accelerating AAPG's already strong growth rate in Asia-Pacific."
Welcome, Jeremy Richardson
October 19 marked a new beginning for the European Region when Jeremy Richardson joined AAPG as full-time London Office Director. Richardson brings years of experience from Pennwell Corporation where he ran the UKbased international office and was responsible for various events in Europe. Richardson is the latest full-time regional office personnel hired under the AAPG Global Development & Conventions Directorate of Alan Wegener.
According to Wegener, “Jeremy is a tremendous addition to the London office and our global development team. His extensive experience running energy-related events and publications, coupled with proven entrepreneurial skills, fits well with our strategic plans and initiatives in Europe. He’s going to compliment our strong group of Region leaders and existing staff and quickly bring new ideas and programs for members.”
European Region President, Dave Cook, is pleased to have hired Richardson, a fellow UK native, with a considerable overseas track record. Says Cook, “Jeremy brings to the organization strong skills in office management, publication sales, marketing, communication and events. One of his first tasks will be to improve web-based communications between the European Region and the membership.”
For 10 days in late October – early November, Richardson and Pereira travelled to AAPG Headquarters in Tulsa for non-stop orientation and training. They emerged from the training newly equipped and knowledgeable in AAPG’s education and training programs, member services, and global marketing capacity. And with the full weight of Headquarters’ Region management, IT, and marketing staff on their side, Richardson and Pereira are ready to go and ready to serve you, the members of AAPG.