Two giants of the profession and longtime supporters and promoters of the AAPG Foundation have been chosen to receive its top honors for 2024.
This year’s honorees – both boasting long records of award-winning service and contributions to the geosciences as well as to the Foundation – are:
- Michael C. “Mike” Forrest, a Dallas-based independent whose legendary career previously earned him AAPG’s Sidney Powers Memorial Award, is this year’s recipient of the L. Austin Weeks Memorial Medal, the Foundation’s highest honor, given in recognition of extraordinary service and philanthropy to advance the Foundation’s mission.
- Robert “Bob” Ardell, a longtime Houston-based consultant and dedicated participant with both the AAPG House of Delegates and the Foundation Trustee Associates, is this year’s recipient of the Chairman’s Award, given in recognition of his extraordinary contributions – monetary and service – to the Foundation.
“We’re extremely proud to say that our top awards are going to two people who have been so important to our mission,” AAPG Foundation Chair Jim McGhay said in announcing their selections. “We’re literally honoring decades of dedication on their part, continually doing all they can to support our programs and efforts to bring excellence to our science and profession.”
McGhay praised their generous spirit – both have been dedicated contributors to Foundation programs and initiatives – but quickly added that was only part of their importance to the Foundation.
“Many already know this to be true, but both men have become integral to the mission and embody the very spirit of the Foundation,” McGhay added. “The Foundation is stronger and, frankly, an enjoyable community largely because of what they’ve brought to our world.
“They are passionate about the geosciences and committed to excellence in every form,” he said, “both for today and in building for future generations.”
Both Forrest and Ardell will be publicly recognized by the Foundation at this year’s IMAGE 2024 in Houston.
Mike Forrest: Making An Impact
Mike Forrest, an AAPG Honorary Member, has been a Trustee Associate since 2014 – and in all that time, a dynamic participant in TA activities.
Even before his connection to the AAPG Foundation, however, Forrest was a world-renowned exploration geophysicist, thanks largely to his work during a 30-plus-year career at Shell Oil.
While with Shell, Forrest was responsible for recognizing – and subsequently helping to develop – “bright-spot” technology, the first use of seismic attributes in exploration. He’s been called “the father of bright spots.” In the 1970s he played a major role in several 100-million-barrel Shell discoveries, and in 2018 he received AAPG’s highest honor, the Sidney Powers Memorial Award.
His support of the geosciences – both in terms of volunteer service and in generous contributions to both the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and AAPG Foundations – have been just as significant.
He was, for example, a major advocate and supporter of the Geoscientists without Borders program, one of many humanitarian efforts supported by your AAPG Foundation.
Other Foundation programs that have continuously benefited from his commitment include the K-12 Education Fund, the Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Scholarship Program and the Imperial Barrel Award, as well as dozens of contributions to the general fund.
“Mike’s generous support reflects his deep desire to not only give back to his profession, but to help make sure that tomorrow’s world includes geoscience excellence,” McGhay said.
“His impact is impressive, and an example for us all.”
Bob Ardell: Commitment to Service
Bob Ardell’s service to the Foundation, the Trustee Associates and the AAPG House of Delegates has earned him a place among the Association’s most active and passionate members.
Ardell, a Houston-based consultant since 2002, received his bachelor’s degree in geology economics from Monmouth College and his master’s in geology/Earth science from Kansas State University.
He started his career in New Orleans with Union Oil and had a brief stint with Kerr-McGee before helping Samedan start its successful offshore exploration program. After 13 years with the company, he started a U.S. group for Nippon Oil, eventually becoming that company’s president.
Regarding his leadership with AAPG and the Foundation, Ardell has, since 2000, been a Member of the Corporation, which works closely with the Foundation Trustees in an advisory role. For the Trustee Associates, Ardell served as its secretary/treasurer in 1999-2001 and as the group’s chair in 2002-03.
He also was a member of the Foundation’s Financial Campaign Committee (2005-11), and currently serves on the Foundation Audit Committee.
In 2014 he received the Trustee Associates Service Award.
Ardell’s role with the House of Delegates has been just as active, earning him important roles on numerous committees.
Through it all, his support of the Foundation has been continuous and generous, including frequent contributions to the K-12 and Distinguished Lecture programs, the Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Scholarship Program, and the L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grants Program.
“Bob has brought excellence, thoughtful participation and questions, and camaraderie to every aspect of his connection to the Foundation,” McGhay said. “We’re fortunate to have him as part of our family, and we’re honored to give him the recognition that he deserves.”