As a candidate for AAPG Editor, I ask for your support. From my experience editing special publications for AAPG and the GCAGS Journal, I have learned the editor has two roles. The editor is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s publications meet the highest standards for clear communication and technical rigor. Additionally, an increasing number of manuscripts are submitted by non-native English speakers. The editor must mentor all authors, so their technical writing meets AAPG’s standards for clear, concise technical writing, increasing their professional credentials.

My focus on clear, concise technical writing began in graduate school when my advisor gave me a copy of “A Scrutiny of the Abstract,” written by K.K. Landis, AAPG’s Editor in 1951 (revised, 1966). The importance of technical and communication rigor was impressed on me as a graduate student, where high standards for technical writing were the order of the day.

In my career, I have tried to adhere to the formidable task of writing technical material in a clear, concise manner while applying technical rigor to my descriptions. As AAPG Editor I can bring this attention to the Association’s publications to continue to provide technical material in the best format(s) to facilitate assimilation by the AAPG membership and the general geoscience community.

Professionally, I have benefited from my 43 years as an AAPG member, participating in AAPG activities through committees and organizing meetings, building relationships, participating in meetings with oral presentations and posters, and supporting the AAPG organization and the geoscience community by editing special publications. AAPG technical publications have given me insights that inspired me in my professional efforts.  My experience with executive committee positions, as I have served the geoscience community, gives me administrative insights that will serve me well in the position of editor.

The AAPG Bulletin and the AAPG special publications will continue providing valuable information to our community. As editor it is important to consider how we can use technology to make our membership aware of new publications and professional resources and determine new ways for our community to access these valuable publications.  For instance, I use AAPG Datapages almost daily. The AAPG Bulletin has become a digital journal.  There will always be a role for Special Publications, but we need to explore the best way to publish these valuable technical, thematic resources in a way that is both time- and cost-effective. Printed versions have long lead times from idea to printing, and publication costs are high, necessitating high sales prices. We need to shorten publication time so authors will see their manuscripts published faster and reduce publication costs to maximize distribution of the publications.

I believe that proactive recruitment of papers describing significant discoveries, technology, field studies, play and basin analysis will help the Bulletin maintain and expand its relevance to energy professionals today and for the future. With your support I can continue AAPG’s 100-year legacy of quality geoscience publications, providing technical insight to the current and next generation of geoscientists.