Winchester Heads List of Convention Luncheon Speakers

Simon Winchester

Award-winning author and journalist Simon Winchester will be the guest speaker for the annual meeting's All-Convention Luncheon, set Monday, May 12, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.

Winchester will discuss his book, The Map That Changed the World -- William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology, which tells the story of how Smith, who started his career as a surveyor and canal digger, created the first geologic map of Great Britain nearly 200 years ago.

The luncheon begins with a cash bar opening at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. A book signing will be held immediately after the luncheon.

Also, Amy J. John will be recognized and receive her award as AAPG's National Earth Science Teacher of the Year.

John, who is part Navajo, is an eighth grade earth sciences teacher at the TseBitAi Middle School in Shiprock, N.M. She will receive a $5,000 prize, funded by the AAPG Foundation. Half of the money is designated for use under John's supervision for education purposes at TseBitAi; the other half is for personal use.

Other luncheons during the annual meeting include:

• Division of Environmental Geosciences luncheon, at 11: 30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC). Sylvia V. Baca, vice president of health, safety and welfare for BP North America, will talk about the success of BP's Greenhouse Gas Program. The cost is $35.
• Division of Professional Affairs luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the SPCC. Speaking will be Bobby Gillham, head of global security for Conoco (see story on page 38).
• SEPM luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the Marriott Hotel. Henry W. Posamentier, general manager of geoscience and technology at Anadarko Canada, will talk on "Bringing Stratigraphy Into the 21st Century." The cost is $30.
• Energy Minerals Division luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the SPCC. Lance Cook, state geologist and executive director of the Wyoming State Geological Survey, will talk about "Powder River Coalbed Methane: Opportunity and Obstacles." The cost is $35.