Melanie Werdon is the new State Geologist of Alaska

Melanie B. Werdon has been named State Geologist of Alaska and Director of the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. Melanie previously was the chief of the Mineral Resources section at the Alaska state survey. Best wishes in your new role, Melanie!

Ron Zurawski is completing his time as State Geologist of Tennessee

Ron Zurawski, the longest serving state geologist in the USA, has announced his pending retirement after 51 years of service with the state, and 28 years as State Geologist. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology, he started with a private engineering firm, where one of the duties was to inventory the Tennessee Division of Geology oil and gas well files. That led to a career with the state and contributions to the Tennessee Geological Survey, beginning in 1974. Zurawski was appointed State Geologist and Director of the Tennessee Division of Geology in January 1996. He has now been named recipient of the David Draughon Excellence Award from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Congratulations, Ron!

Scott Tinker to complete his time as State Geologist of Texas

Scott Tinker has announced his pending retirement as Director of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, a position he has held since 2000. Before joining UT, he spent 17 years in the oil and gas industry, and he has been a very prominent commentator as the Chairman of the Switch Energy Alliance during his time in Austin. He earned his B.S. in geology and business administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, his M.S. in geological sciences from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. in geological sciences from the University of Colorado. He has served as president of AGI, AAPG, and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS). Dr. Tinker is an AGI Campbell Medalist, AAPG Halbouty Medalist, GCAGS Boyd Medalist, and a Fellow of GSA. For AASG, Scott served as 2004-2005 VP, 2005-2006 President Elect, 2006-2007 President, and 2007-2008 Past President. Thanks for your tremendous service, Scott, and best wishes for much more to come!

Mike Timmons, State Geologist of New Mexico

On January 2, 2024, Dr. J. Michael Timmons will be State Geologist of New Mexico. Dr. Timmons received a BSc in geology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a master’s and Ph.D. in geology from the University of New Mexico. Besides serving as the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources deputy director, he also has served as program manager of the Geologic Mapping Program. Best of luck in your role, Mike!

Steve Mabee to complete his time as State Geologist of Massachusetts

Stephen B. Mabee, Ph.D., PG will retire as State Geologist and Director of the Massachusetts Geological Survey on February 2, 2024, a position he held since 2002. A Massachusetts native, Steve received his B.S. degree in Geology from Tufts University in 1974 and an M.S. degree in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1978. He worked as a consultant for a decade, and then received his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1992. He was a visiting assistant professor at Amherst College from 1992 to 1995, and joined the faculty in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts in 1995. He was AASG Historian from 2013 to 2017. Thanks for your superb service, Steve!

Nelia Dunbar to complete her time as New Mexico State Geologist

Dr. Nelia Dunbar will step down on January 2, 2024 as director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and state geologist for New Mexico, a position she has held since 2016. From March 2022 to January 2023 she served as New Mexico Tech interim vice president for research. Nelia received her master’s and doctoral degrees in geology from New Mexico Tech and has worked as a researcher at the bureau, and adjunct faculty member in the Earth and Environmental Studies Department, with much effort in her volcanology research in Antarctica. Thank-you for your superb service, Nelia!

Jeremy Lancaster is the State Geologist of California

On October 4, 2023, Jeremy Lancaster was appointed to lead the California Geological Survey (CGS). Jeremy joined CGS in 2006, and most recently served as Associate State Geologist and chief of the CGS Watershed Hazards and Climate Adaptation Branch. He has completed large multi-agency and multi-disciplinary projects that provide land-use planning tools, geologic mapping for wildlife habitat relationship assessments, and community planning tools for pre- and post- wildfire flash flood and debris flow hazards mitigation. He is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

 

Mankin Award to Texas

The AASG Charles J. Mankin Award is given each year to the best recently-published, nominated state geological survey geological map, compilation, or report on regional, energy, or mineral resource geology. The award honors Charles Mankin (1932-2012), who as Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey for forty years (1967-2007) was a tireless advocate for geologic mapping. The 2023 AASG Mankin Award has been presented to Stephen C. Ruppel of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, for editing the two-volume publication: Anatomy of a Paleozoic Basin: The Permian Basin, USA. Congratulations to Stephen and to all of the authors!

Jim Davis, New York State Geologist, California State Geologist, 1931 – 2023

James Frazier "Jim" Davis passed away on Sept. 30, 2023. He was born in 1931 in Iowa, grew up in Virginia, and learned about geology at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. He obtained his geology degree from University of Virginia, and then Masters and PhD from University of Wisconsin Madison. He joined New York State Geological Survey in 1963, he was New York State Geologist from 1968 to 1978, where he worked on issues such as the safety of nuclear power plants. He then became California State Geologist from 1978 to 1987 and 1989 to 2003, with much focus on saving lives through comprehensively improved seismic mapping, monitoring, and preparedness. He was President of AASG in 1984/1985, he also was President of AGI, he held many other leadership roles, and he won the Campbell Medal in 2014, as well as many other honors. He is missed.

New Wisconsin Director and State Geologist

Today, Sue Swanson is Director and State Geologist at the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. She replaces Dr. Ken Bradbury, who retired in July 2022. Dr. Eric Carson served as Interim Director for the past year. Sue was at Beloit College since 2001, where she was a professor of geology, chair of natural sciences, and Weeks Chair in Physical and Human Geography. Prior to 2001, Swanson worked in the environmental consulting industry and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Gustavus Adolphus College, as well as master’s degrees in Quaternary geology and hydrogeology and water resources management and a doctorate in hydrogeology, all from UW–Madison. Her research included studying how groundwater moves through fractures in sedimentary bedrock aquifers, interactions between groundwater and surface water, and the hydrogeology of springs. Welcome Sue!

https://home.wgnhs.wisc.edu/new-director-and-state-geologist/

State Geologist of Maryland, Steve Van Ryswick

Stephen Van Ryswick has been appointed Director of the Maryland Geological Survey. He is an authority on the lakes and lands of western Maryland, the streams and reservoirs of central Maryland, the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays, the Atlantic Coast Islands, and the sand shoals in the Atlantic Ocean.  Stephen has been with the survey since 2002, most recently serving as director of the Coastal and Environmental Geology program overseeing geologic mapping, geohazards, Chesapeake Bay mapping, and marine sediment studies. He has worked on sediment deposition, dredging, transport, streambed geomorphology,  and sedimentary habitat mapping. He holds a degree in Environmental Science, Soils, Water and Land Resources from the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his wife Dorothy live in St. Mary’s County with their three children Nicole, Sara and Matthew. Welcome to AASG, Steve!

 

Richard Ortt has completed his time as Maryland State Geologist

Richard A. Ortt, Jr. has been promoted this month to Director of the Resource Assessment Service in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Rich has three decades of experience with Maryland Geological Survey, and became State Geologist in 2013. He served as AASG VP in 2017-2018, President Elect in 2018-2019, President in 2019-2020, and Past President in 2020-2021. Rich is a former U.S. Army officer whose military service included time in Baghdad. He holds a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Thanks, and good luck with the next phase of your career, Rich!

Total annual funding to state geological surveys is rising sharply

The 2023 Report of AASG Statistician Matt Joeckel of NE indicates that FY22 revenue to state geological surveys was $265M, with total staff of 1883 FTE; current estimates for FY23 are $308M and 1993 staff. Funding had peaked at $237M in FY12, due to the federal stimulus, and as federal funds fell by $45M, and total funding bottomed out at $216M in FY14, surveys raised diverse funds to achieve stability, although states vary. Adjusted for inflation, state surveys have been financially stable since the early 80s, although staffing has fallen in that time by a third. FY22 funding was half state-derived, and 22% federal, with the remainder in other categories. State funds are mostly recurring rather than non-recurring; whereas recurring state funds were over 90% of budgets in 1960, this fell to 40% in 2010 and has since stabilized. An upswing in federal funding is underway, from $51M in FY21 to an estimated $57M in FY23. However, several states are seeing an even stronger surge in state funding. Percent female among science staff has risen steadily over a decade from 24% to 32%. Publication sales have dwindled and stabilized as publications are offered for free online.

2023 AASG Pick and Gavel Award to Senator Cortez Masto

AASG presents the Pick and Gavel Award to distinguished friends of geology who have made significant contributions to advancing the role that geoscience plays in public policy. The 2023 recipient is Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, who in 2016 became the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the United States Senate. Among other roles, she currently serves as the chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee. She was born and raised in Las Vegas and served two terms as Attorney General of Nevada. Before that, she served as Chief of Staff to Nevada Governor Bob Miller, and worked as an Assistant County Manager in Clark County and as a federal criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1986, and a J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1990. She resides in Las Vegas with her husband Paul, a retired Secret Service agent. An avid hiker and nature lover, Cortez Masto is committed to protecting our environment and public lands for future generations to enjoy.

https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/about

AASG Distinguished Service Award to David Spears

At the 2023 AASG Annual Meeting in Colorado, AASG President Jim Faulds of Nevada presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to David Spears of Virginia, who was State Geologist of Virginia, 2009-2022; AASG Past President, 2017-2018; President, 2016-2017; President Elect, 2015-2016; Vice President, 2014-2015; Secretary, 2013-2014; and Editor, 2012-2013.  

Thanks, David!

AASG Distinguished Service Award to Steve Masterman

At the 2023 AASG Annual Meeting in Colorado, AASG President Jim Faulds of Nevada presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to Steve Masterman of Alaska, who was State Geologist of Alaska, 2013-2022; AASG Past President, 2018-2019; President, 2017-2018; President Elect, 2016-2017; Annual Meeting Host, 2016; and Vice President, 2015-2016.

Thanks, Steve!

AASG Distinguished Service Award to Joe Gillman

At the 2023 AASG Annual Meeting in Colorado, AASG President Jim Faulds of Nevada presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to Joe Gillman of Missouri, who was State Geologist of Missouri, 2008-2022; AASG Annual Meeting Host, 2017; Past President, 2016-2017; President, 2015-2016; President Elect, 2014-2015; Vice President, 2013-2014; and Secretary, 2011-2013.

Thanks, Joe!

AASG Distinguished Service Award to Karen Berry

At the 2023 AASG Annual Meeting in Colorado, AASG President Jim Faulds of Nevada presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to Karen Berry of Colorado, who was State Geologist of Colorado, 2013-2022; AASG Past President, 2019-2020; President, 2018-2019; President Elect, 2017-2018; and Vice President, 2016-2017.

Thanks, Karen!

Jim Faulds presents AASG Presidential Awards

On June 30th, 2023, Jim Faulds, State Geologist of Nevada, completed a superbly successful year as AASG President. It is AASG tradition for the outgoing President to have the option to present AASG Presidential Awards, to recognize extraordinary service to the objectives of AASG by one or more active member(s) of the AASG community during recent time, or by friends of AASG over the long term. This year, Jim presented his Presidential Awards to State Geologist of Illinois Dick Berg, for his unrelenting service to AASG such as his role in supporting our advocacy in DC, to Warren Day of USGS for his superb service in leading Earth MRI and much more, and to Elizabeth Duffy for so reliably fulfilling her AASG duties as our person in DC. Nice work to all!

Frye Award to New Mexico

The AASG/GSA John C. Frye Memorial Award recognizes the best recently-published, nominated state geological survey or GSA publication in environmental geology.

John C. Frye joined USGS in 1938, he went to the Kansas Geological Survey in 1942, he was its Director from 1945 to 1954, he was Chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey until 1974, and he was GSA Executive Director until his retirement in 1982, shortly before his death. John was active in AASG and on national committees, and was influential in the growth of environmental geology.

The 2023 Frye Award will be presented to New Mexico authors, for their publication: Bulletin 164 — Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources, by Editors & Contributing Authors Nelia W. Dunbar, David S. Gutzler, Kristin S. Pearthree, Fred M. Phillips, and Paul W. Bauer, and Contributing Authors Craig D. Allen, David DuBois, Michael D. Harvey, J. Phillip King, Leslie D. McFadden, Bruce M. Thomson, and Anne C. Tillery

Congratulations! https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/monographs/bulletins/164/

John Metesh, 2023-2024 AASG President

John Metesh, Director and State Geologist at Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology since 2012, is the 2023-2024 AASG President. John holds a Master’s degree in geological/geophysical engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in geology from University of Montana. John’s expertise is in geochemical modeling, hydrogeology, and hydrogeochemistry. Thanks for your leadership, John!

Excellent AASG Annual Meeting held in Colorado

A superb 115th AASG Annual Meeting was hosted by the Colorado Geological Survey, under the leadership of outgoing AASG President Jim Faulds of Nevada and meeting host Matt Morgan, State Geologist of Colorado, at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, from June 11-15, 2023. The pre-meeting field trip examined Late Cenozoic Evolution of the Colorado River, the mid-meeting trip went from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, and the post-meeting trip was on the Southwest Corner of the White River Uplift. Fantastic meeting!

Successful in-person DMT Meeting

The Digital Mapping Techniques (DMT) workshop, sponsored by the USGS National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) and Association of American State Geologists, is an annual series that focuses on collegial interaction, to develop efficient and standardized methods for digital geologic mapping, publication, and GIS analysis. The DMT'23 workshop hosted by the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys and NGMDB at the University of Alaska Anchorage, on May 21 to 24, was very successful and enjoyable. Thanks to Dave Soller of USGS for much appreciated leadership, to Jen Athey and her colleagues for being superb hosts, and to the 67 attendees who brought their experience and enthusiasm to share with their colleagues. A total of 28 state geological surveys were represented. Great meeting!

Drew Andrews, State Geologist of Kentucky

 

William M. Andrews, Jr., Ph.D., PG, has been named Kentucky Geological Survey acting director. After joining KGS in 1996, he became head of the Geologic Mapping section in 2008. Drew received his BS in geology in 1993, his MS in 1997, and his PhD in 2004, all from University of Kentucky. His education was in stratigraphy, tectonics, coal petrology, and structural geology. Congratulations, Drew!

2023 Campbell Medalist, Vicki McConnell

Dr. Vicki S. McConnell, 2003 - 2015 State Geologist of Oregon, 2011-2012 AASG President, and recently retired Executive Director of GSA is the 2023 Campbell Medalist. Vicki earned her Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she worked on volcanology. She has also received, for example, the AASG Distinguished Service Award in 2022, the GSA 2020 Burwell Award in Engineering Geology, an American Association for the Advancement of Science 2019 Fellowship, and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists 2017 Publications Award. Congratulations, Vicki!

Harvey Thorleifson has completed his time as State Geologist of Minnesota

University of Minnesota Professor Leonard Harvey Thorleifson has completed his time as a State Geologist. He was State Geologist of Minnesota from 2003-2023; AASG Acting Secretary, 2022; Treasurer, 2017-2020; Past President, 2013-2014; President, 2012-2013; President Elect, 2011-2012; Vice President, 2010-2011; Treasurer, 2008-2010; Statistician, 2006-2009; Mapping Chair, 2006-2008; 2015-2020; Information Chair, 2016-2023; National Geospatial Advisory Committee, 2014-2020; DMT Host, 2017; and Geologic Mapping Forum Host, 2018-present. Harvey holds undergrad degrees from University of Winnipeg, a Master’s in geology from University of Manitoba, and a PhD in geology from University of Colorado. He was with the Geological Survey of Canada from 1986 to 2003. Harvey was President of the Geological Association of Canada in 2003-2004, and President of the Canadian Federation of Earth Science in 2004-2006. He is pleased to now be focusing on writing and teaching as a University of Minnesota Professor.

Herman W. Ferguson, Tennessee State Geologist, 1916-2023

Herman White Ferguson, Tennessee State Geologist from 1951 to 1952, passed away at the age of 106 on Friday, January 13, 2023. He was born on December 28, 1916. He obtained a B.S. in 1939 and an M.S. in 1940 from Vanderbilt University. With the Navy, he served on the U.S. Rapidan in the Aleutians during WWII. He joined the Division of Geology of the Tennessee Department of Conservation. In 1951, he was appointed the State Geologist. In 1952 he became a geologist with U.S. Steel Corporation. He then carried out investigations of coal and non-metallic deposits in the US, Australia, and South Africa until his retirement in 1981. In retirement, he published extensively in the field of genealogy. 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/herman-ferguson-obituary?id=38705391