I accept the invitation to stand as a candidate for AAPG secretary because I am a driven volunteer who is passionate about serving the greater energy geoscience community. I think it’s really important to not only engage with young professionals and underrepresented populations within our community, but also consider topics such as the energy transition and how it will impact the greater AAPG community. Because the AAPG has substantial influence in elevating the careers of energy geoscientists I think it’s important for that influence to reach all levels of membership in a fair, inclusive manner.

Because of my blue-collar upbringing, international industry experience and academic background, I am well versed to serve a diverse audience. I understand some of the career difficulties that our local and international members may experience and am passionate about helping others. I am passionate about people, sustainability in the energy sector, the environment and “doing the right thing,” even when it seems like a torturous path. I hope my leadership will enable AAPG volunteers and staff to be empowered to sustain this organization through the global energy transition.

It will be exceedingly important that the Executive Committee pursues relationships with people and businesses beyond the “standard” petroleum industry. I hope to be able to engage with leaders in mining, renewables, environmental, geothermal sectors, carbon capture and hydrogen storage in order to create a more agile, forward-thinking organization. Even though petroleum geoscience is at the heart of this organization, it’s really important to integrate with the other energy sectors in order to ensure the overall success of the greater AAPG community.

I am passionate about being a leader and bringing a high technical and ethical standard into everything that I do. I see the AAPG as being an organization that has the potential to foster and grow this type of behavior, and as we move forward it will be really important that AAPG’s leadership embodies these principals. I stand for a beacon of hope and social progression, which at this time in AAPG’s history is needed in order to embrace the younger generations that will carry the organization to address the next generation of energy issues.

AAPG has the potential to be an amazing, fruitful organization, but there are some serious issues within the organizational and social structure that are of concern. The main reason why I am pursuing this leadership role is to help the AAPG transform into an organization that everyone wants to be a part of. As it stands, AAPG needs a serious overhaul in ideologies, including a proper climate change statement, equity for all genders, autonomy between leadership, staff and membership populations, and an ethics overhaul. Until these issues are appropriately dealt with, this organization will continue to suffer financially.

I hope to be a part of that change and hope to bring strong leadership with positivity to the root of the AAPG organization and community.