National Geospatial Advisory Committee

DOI Assistant Secretary Tim Petty (L) and Federal Geographic Data Committee Executive Director Ivan DeLoatch (R) congratulate two Minnesotans, State Geologist Harvey Thorleifson and Pat Cummens of ESRI, upon completion of 6 years on the National Geospatial Advisory Committee.

Digital Release of 3D Geology Synopsis

The 2019 Synopsis of Current 3D Geological Mapping and Modelling in Geological Survey Organizations is now available for download from the AGS website

https://ags.aer.ca/publications/SPE_112.html

AGU CEO Announces Leadership Transition

"It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that Chris McEntee, our CEO and executive director,

has informed us that she will be departing AGU at the end of the first quarter of 2020.  During her tenure, her remarkable leadership has positioned AGU as the leading voice and convener of Earth and space science globally. She has led key initiatives that have increased the relevance and value of Earth and space science to humanity. As a result of Chris’s efforts, AGU is stronger than ever, is well positioned for a vibrant and successful future, is celebrating its centennial year, and is creating its next strategic plan. The organization is poised for continued success."
https://fromtheprow.agu.org/agu-ceo-announces-transition/

Erin Campbell, Wyoming Woman of Influence

State Geologist of Wyoming and Association of American State Geologists (AASG) Vice President Erin Campbell has been honored as a Wyoming Woman of Influence. She became State Geologist and Director of the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) in 2017. Previously she was Manager of Energy and Minerals Resources. Along with heading the WSGS, the Director serves on the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) and the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG).  Erin Campbell has a B.A. in Geology from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Wyoming. Prior to working at WSGS, she worked for Chevron and as a lecturer at University of Wyoming. She is the first woman to be named Wyoming State Geologist.

https://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/news/wyoming/article_c45c8805-f7b1-5896-be79-28186c05e179.html

State Geologist of Idaho, Claudio Berti

Geologist Claudio Berti was recently named director and state geologist at the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS). Berti was hired in January 2019 as the survey's digital mapping and geographic information systems lab manager. Berti's career began in Italy, where he most notably served as survey geologist for the Italian Geologic Survey, as well as adjunct professor at the University of Chieti and consulting geologist with the Italian National Highway Agency. Berti came to the US in 2009 as a post-doc and adjunct professor of geology at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he later became director of field operations and the university's field camp program for students, as well as professor of practice in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. In addition to his seven years at Lehigh, he spent two years as an assistant professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Delaware.

https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/faculty-staff-news/2019-september/092319-claudioberti-igsdirector-stategeologist

Sam Tuthill, State Geologist of Iowa, 1925-1919

Sam Tuthill died in Wheatland, IA in August at the age of 93. He was born in San Diego, and was raised in Chatham, New Jersey. He served in WWII with the US Army Air Corps. He graduated from Drew University, Syracuse University and the University of North Dakota. He specialized in Quaternary paleoecology in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Alaska. He taught geology at Muskingum College in Ohio and served as State Geologist and Director of the Iowa Geological Survey from 1969 to 1975. He also served as Science Advisor to the Secretary of Interior, Energy Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, and was appointed to the President’s Energy Resources Council. From 1977 to 1987, Sam held positions at Iowa Electric Light and Power Company in Cedar Rapids. He then consulted with his son John. In retirement, Sam enjoyed a home in northern Minnesota. He is survived by Connie, his wife of 67 years, and his family.

https://www.schultzfuneralhomes.com/notices/DrSamuel-Tuthill

Casey Hanell will be Washington State Geologist

Casey Hanell will be Washington State Geologist in October. Casey leads and manages the Earth Sciences Program, which is responsible for all geologic and hydrologic consultation on DNR-managed lands. He started with DNR in 2002 working on slope stability assessments at a landscape level. Since then, most of his work has involved landslide risk assessments for proposed management activities (timber harvest and forest road construction). He spent two years as a silviculture forester performing and overseeing forest management activities from planting through final harvest. Casey received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Geology from Western Washington University in 2001 and 2011, respectively. He is a licensed Engineering Geologist in the State of Washington (No. 2771) and a "qualified expert" under the Washington Forest Practices Rules. In his spare time, Casey enjoys camping,  music, making pickles, and running. (https://www.dnr.wa.gov/geology)

Dave Norman to complete his time as State Geologist of Washington

Dave Norman, State Geologist of Washington, will retire on October 1^st, having served in this capacity with great distinction since 2009. Dave has worked for the DNR since 1989, initially in Surface Mine Reclamation. Prior to that, he worked for industry in metals and industrial minerals exploration, geothermal energy exploration, as well as in oil and gas. He also worked in the geotechnical field and has evaluated slope stability and landslide hazards at mine and building sites as well as for forestry. Dave worked for Amoco Minerals and Union Geothermal, in exploration throughout the western United States and Alaska. He also worked for Core Laboratories, on petroleum exploration and development in North America and internationally. He received a B.S. in Geology in 1978 from Portland State University, and an M.S. in Geology in 1983 from University of Utah.

Applications are being solicited for the position of Director, Oklahoma Geological Survey

DIRECTOR, OKLAHOMA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Applications are being solicited for the position of Director, Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS). The OGS is located on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Oklahoma, and is under the direction and supervision of the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. Organizationally, the OGS is located within the Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy, which also includes the School of Geology & Geophysics and the Mewbourne School of Petroleum & Geological Engineering. The Director of the OGS reports administratively to the Dean, Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy. If appropriate, the successful candidate may hold a dual appointment as a faculty member within the College as an Associate or Full Professor. Candidates should hold a doctorate or have the equivalent experience in geology, geophysics or a closely related field. Prior experience with a public agency, such as the OGS, would be beneficial.

https://findajob.agu.org/job/8010971/director-oklahoma-geological-survey/

Mankin Award to Indiana

The AASG Mankin Award recognizes the best nominated state geological survey publication in regional, energy, or mineral resource geology, with an emphasis on surface or subsurface geologic mapping, compilations, and associated reports. The 2019 Mankin Award has been presented to Indiana authors, for The Bedrock Geology of Bartholemew County, Hasenmueller, W. A., and Rupp, R. F, 2018. Published by the Indiana Geological and Water Survey.

https://igws.indiana.edu/IGSMap/BartholomewCounty

AASG presents 2019 Distinguished Service Awards

At the AASG Annual Meeting in Montana, the 2019 Distinguished Service Awards were presented, as follows:

• Rick Allis, Utah; Statistician, 2009-2013, 2017-2018; Annual Meeting Host, 2009
• John Parrish, California; Past President, 2014-2015; President, 2013-2014; President Elect, 2012-2013
• Chacko John, Louisiana; Past President, 2008-2009; President, 2007-2008; President Elect, 2006-2007; Vice President, 2005-2006
• Karl Muessig, New Jersey; Annual Meeting Host, 2010; Editor, 2004-2010
• Michael Hohn, West Virginia; Annual Meeting Host, 2008; Treasurer, 2012-2014

Frye Award to Delaware

The AASG/GSA Frye Award recognizes the best nominated state geological survey & GSA publications in environmental geology. The 2019 Frye Award has been presented to the Delaware Sea-level Rise Technical Committee, for the publication:  Callahan, John A., Benjamin P. Horton, Daria L. Nikitina, Christopher K. Sommerfield, Thomas E. McKenna, and Danielle Swallow, 2017. Recommendation of Sea-Level Rise Planning Scenarios for Delaware: Technical Report, prepared for Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Delaware Coastal Programs. 114 pp.

Rich Ortt, AASG President, 2019-2020

Richard Allen Ortt, Jr., Director of the Maryland Geological Survey, is the 2019-2020 AASG President. Rich has been with the Survey since 1992, where he has worked on geologic engineering topics such as erosion, transport, deposition and accumulation in reservoirs and shipping channels. Rich holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife Janine have four children.

Earth MRI is underway

Source: The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI; formerly known as 3DEEP) is planned as a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), and other Federal, State, and private-sector organizations. The goal of the effort is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease our reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to the Nation’s security and economy.

The intent of Earth MRI is to leverage the USGS’s existing relationships with States and the private sector to conduct state-of-the-art geologic mapping and airborne geophysical and topographic (lidar) surveys. Analyses of these datasets could point to potential buried critical mineral deposits.

Association of American State Geologists 111th Annual Meeting

The AASG 111th Annual Meeting will be held at Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana from June 9-13, 2019. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) hosted the Annual Meeting in 2001 and they are looking forward to your joining us to help celebrate their centennial. The four-day meeting includes technical sessions, field trips, and keynote addresses by invited speakers from across the realm of science, energy, environment, and policy.

DMT 2019 - 23rd year!

The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology is pleased to host the 23rd Annual Digital Mapping Techniques on the Montana Tech campus, located in historic Butte, Montana.

Tom Joiner, State Geologist of Alabama from 1976 to 1991

Thomas Johnson Joiner, State Geologist and Oil and Gas Supervisor at the Geological Survey of Alabama from 1976 to 1981, passed away on March 11, 2019, at age 86.

2019 AASG Pick and Gavel Award recipient, Anthony G. Brown of Maryland

For his superb service, and for his co-sponsorship this year of reauthorization of the National Geologic Mapping Act, AASG presented the 2019 Pick and Gavel Award to Representative Anthony G. Brown of Maryland, on February 26th, 2019. Representative Brown previously served two terms as the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, from 2007 to 2015. He was elected as lieutenant governor in 2006 on the Democratic ticket with Governor Martin O'Malley, and both were re-elected in 2010. Brown served two four-year terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Prince George's County. He is a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, having served in the U.S. Army for over thirty years. While lieutenant governor, Brown was one of the two highest-ranking elected officials in the nation to have served a tour of duty in Iraq.

Chuck Ratte, State Geologist of Vermont from 1976 to 1991

Charles A. Ratté, State Geologist and Director of the Vermont Geological Survey from 1976 to 1991, passed away on February 20th, 2019, at age 91. Chuck served in the Marine Corps, and received degrees in geology from Middlebury, Dartmouth, and University of Arizona. He was a summer field assistant for USGS in 1953 in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and later served with US Steel. He was a geology professor at Windam College from 1963 until 1976. As State Geologist, Dr. Ratté successfully transferred the responsibilities of the Vermont State Geological Survey from the University of Vermont to the Agency of Natural Resources. He conducted a landmark study of radioactivity, which led to the restriction of nuclear waste siting in Vermont. In 1989, Dr. Ratté got legislation through the State House that redefined the mission and significance of the state geologist. He served as a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky from 1991 to 1993. After retirement in 1994, Chuck and Judith lived in Martha’s Vineyard, before returning to Vermont in 2008.

New Ohio State Geologist, Mike Angle

In February, Mike Angle was named 14th State Geologist of Ohio. Mike had been serving as Assistant Chief since 2012 under Chief Tom Serenko. Upon Tom’s resignation in 2018, Mike was appointed as Interim State Geologist. Mike has a long history of service in the State of Ohio, having worked for 38 years in ODNR’s Division of Geological Survey and Division of Water. He also served as Geologist Supervisor for the Geologic Mapping and Industrial Minerals Group and Mapping Geologist for the Regional Geology Section.  He also held several positions with the ODNR Division of Water and authored more than 20 maps and more than a dozen articles and publications on various aspects of Ohio’s geology and hydrogeology.  Mike earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from the University of Akron, with a specialty in glacial geology and hydrogeology. 

Rick Allis retires as State Geologist of Utah

In January, Rick Allis completed 18 years as State Geologist of Utah, having been appointed to the post in 2000. For the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), Rick served superbly as Statistician from 2009 to 2013 and from 2017 to 2018, as well as being Annual Meeting Host in 2009. Rick was Research Professor at the Energy and Geoscience Institute, University of Utah, from 1997 to 2000. Before that, he was with GNS Science and its predecessor organizations in New Zealand. He has broad expertise in energy resources, and has specialized in geothermal energy. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto. 

New Utah State Geologist, Bill Keach

Utah has named R. William (Bill) Keach II, as the new Utah state geologist and director of the Utah Geological Survey (UGS), following the retirement of Rick Allis, who served as director of UGS and state geologist since 2000.

According to the Utah DNR, Bill has over 30 years’ experience in industry, academia and regulatory state government, most recently as senior engineer at the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. He spent two decades working in the petroleum industry.

Keach is currently a visiting associate professor of geology at Brigham Young University and visiting instructor at the University of Utah’s Department of Chemical Engineering. He received a bachelor’s degree in Geology from BYU and a master’s degree in Geophysics from Cornell University.