As a second-year college student playing soccer I took my first course in geology. That summer I had the great fortune to work as a geotech, where my friend (from the soccer team) worked as a geologist and helped me get the job. I began working in
the Williston Basin and I learned how to interpret seismic, “slip” well logs and contour a map.

My mentor told me, “Brian, you can’t just be a geologist in this business, you need to be an explorationist. You must develop your skills in geology, geophysics, petrophysics, reservoir engineering and commercial negotiation.”

This counsel provided the basis for how I have pursued my education, professional career and my career path in the energy industry.
I joined AAPG as a Junior member when I was at university. I was excited to be part of a great organization that provided opportunities to learn, network and engage with the people whose names I saw in print from articles I had read. I often tell people, if someone would have given me a piece of paper and asked me to write out my career path, the people I have met, places I have been and friendships I have made, I never in a million years would have had the creativity to write the career path that I have experienced. I am fortunate to say my professional career has and continues to bless my life.

Given this context and all my great experiences as an AAPG member, I wanted to volunteer for a role in leadership and contribute to the organization that has supported my professional development. My “bottom-up” growth in the industry and value that AAPG has brought to my academic, professional and personal life is what motivates me to serve the membership as we chart a way forward in the coming decades.

Emotions and passion for the future of our organization run high, and many members are concerned about where AAPG will be in the future and what role it will play representing the energy industry in society. I believe leadership must make sound choices for our organization and seek to be inclusive and collaborative with all earth science disciplines and people. Geoscientists must be a leading voice in the discussions on energy, generate new ideas, and provide technically sound and science-based rationale for the future of AAPG and its role in the energy transition.

Listening and collaboration are critical aspects of leadership. It will be my goal to engage as many people and communities as possible to make our organization vibrant, sustainable, diverse and focused on future success.

We must continue to train and mentor new entrants into the industry and share the wisdom and knowledge of our outstanding AAPG members. Growth and innovation will be found in developing new concepts providing the message and platform to deliver our ideas and insight globally.