Election
to the presidency of AAPG is an honor that also brings considerable
responsibility, especially at a time when the Association is increasingly
confronted by substantial change.
For the
next 12 months I will chair an Executive Committee (EC) that will
leave no stone unturned seeking positive new opportunities and expanding
the Association's ongoing good business/service lines.
At the
same time, working closely with the headquarters staff, the EC will
trim or eliminate those activities and programs that have diminishing
or poor value and consequently have not enjoyed enough membership
support.
In the
process I hope we can enhance the already fine reputation of AAPG
and deliver more for your cost of membership.
As an Association
we are confronted by several major changes that directly impact
our ability to deliver products and services to each of you. Consolidation
of the energy industry has caused relocations to a few major centers
and reductions in company exploration staffs. Yet, our membership
is becoming more dispersed as increases in membership applications
occur primarily outside North America.
This geographic
conflict, concentration versus dissemination, is more expensive
and challenging to provide services.
Similarly,
the growth of hydrocarbon recovery technology as a supplement and/or
substitute for our traditional focus on discovery technology requires
our attention and response. The long-awaited better valuation of
natural gas being realized primarily in North America is encouraging
some changes in our existing research, publication and education
programs and activities.
A higher
oil price, still much less than its modern real annual average peak
price (approximately $65/bbl in 1981 in inflation-adjusted currency),
is a very positive development for our members — but accompanied
by some public protest.
In future
columns I will report on EC actions regarding these and other issues.
I expect to build on the growing transparency of the Association's
governance, and I appreciate the House of Delegates (HoD) bringing
those welcome changes about.
Along those
lines, the EC will work closely with the Advisory Council, the HoD
and the AAPG Foundation.
Special
thanks to the outgoing EC:
- President
Steve Sonnenberg demonstrated strong leadership in negotiations
with our sister societies. Steve covered the waterfront in why
you should join, re-join or retain your membership. I endorse
those points and will work to continue their appeal.
- Vice
president Erik Mason was instrumental in several positive
developments on the EC.
- Editor
John Lorenz accomplished the Herculean feat of shortening
submission-to-publication time in the BULLETIN from 27 months
to nine months! He also chaired the ad hoc BULLETIN Reformat Committee,
which proposed major changes in our well-regarded scientific publication
and was endorsed by the EC.
- Treasurer
Paul Weimer brought erudition and critically important new
perspectives to many EC deliberations.
- HoD
chair George Eynon not only took care of his primary legislative
responsibilities, but played a significant role in debate on many
non-HoD topics.
My only
fellow holdover to the 2004-05 EC is secretary Bob Countryman.
We welcome newly elected treasurer Clint Moore, vice president
Neil Hurley, editor Ernie Mancini and president-elect
Pete Rose. Valary Schulz has joined us as the HoD
chair.
So, the
EC has got a new team! Members should anticipate a high energy level
and purposeful interaction from the EC to all elements of the AAPG
family.
There will
be more focus on building community in AAPG. Accordingly, expect
to see more of the EC at major Association venues. We want to improve
communications, so let us hear from you.
Good luck
to all of us!