John LaFave, State Geologist of Montana

John LaFave has been named interim Director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) as successor to John Metesh. John has been part of the MBMG research staff since 1993; most recently, he served as the Research Division Chief. For many years, he served as the Program Manager for the Montana Ground Water Assessment Program. His research has focused on enhancing groundwater monitoring of Montana's principal aquifers and assessing regional groundwater quality. He has also served as an Associate Director of the Montana Water Center, a western-state representative to the National Groundwater Monitoring Network Board, and an Affiliate Faculty member of the Montana Tech Department of Geological Engineering. He holds an M.A. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. in geology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Welcome, John!

Rodney Alan Combellick, 1951-2025

Rod Combellick passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 due to a stroke on August 24th, 2025. After his youth in Littleton, Colorado, he completed a BS in geology at University of Washington in 1973, and an MS in geology at University of Southern California. He was employed by the Alaska state geological survey for 32 years, beginning in 1981. His specialties were Quaternary geology, engineering geology, as well as earthquake and tsunami hazards in Alaska. He became Deputy Director in 2002, and was acting State Geologist from 2003 to 2004, prior to his retirement in 2013. He was an accomplished classical organist, and also a pilot. He volunteered with AARP during retirement. He will be missed.

John D. Kiefer, 1940 - 2025

John Kiefer passed away at the age of 85 on September 13, 2025. John earned his Bachelor’s at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and his Masters and PhD in Geology from the University of Illinois. He served for three decades with Kentucky Geological Survey, having started in 1979 after brief employment with the Alabama survcey. He was assistant State Geologist most of this time, and in that role he was not known to miss an AASG Annual Meeting. AASG established the Associate and Honorary Associate recognitions with John and few others initially in mind. After retirement in 2009, in 2010, he was the first associate to receive the AASG Distinguished Service Award. He was active with GSA. His service to society was extensive. He will be missed.

John Metesh named Critical Materials Executive Director

On September 1st, John Metesh stepped down as State Geologist of Montana, a position he held since 2012, and was appointed Executive Director of the Montana Tech Critical Materials Initiatives. John was the 2023-2024 AASG President. He 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 service, and good luck, John!

Ranie Lynds is State Geologist of Wyoming

In August, Ranie Lynds was named Interim Director of the Wyoming State Geological Survey, upon the departure of Erin Campbell who served in the role since 2017. Ranie joined the survey in 2012 and has served as Energy and Mineral Resources Manager since 2017. She has focused on oil and gas, and led the Wyoming Statemap and EarthMRI programs. Ranie earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Stanford University and a PhD in fluvial sedimentology from the University of Wyoming. Welcome, Ranie!

New facility for USGS and CO School of Mines taking shape

The Colorado School of Mines and USGS have announced progress on a partially built new building. The USGS Energy and Minerals Research Facility to open in 2027 will include 20 labs and space for 70 CSM and 200 USGS scientists. Included will be a comprehensive mineral characterization lab, and a fluid inclusion lab. The Colorado Geological Survey will be nearby on the School of Mines campus, where they have been located since 2013. Construction of the building signifies the great importance and bright future of geological survey work and public sector research in supporting the needs of the nation.

Erin Campbell, State Geologist of Alaska

In August, Erin Campbell will commence duties as Director of the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. She served superbly as Wyoming State Geologist from 2017 to the present, and as AASG President in 2021-2022. Erin also served as a cabinet member for the governor of Wyoming, and member of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission. She spent a year as manager of the Energy and Mineral Resources division at the Wyoming Survey before being appointed state geologist. Before that, during 15 years at University of Wyoming, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, directed the Geology Field Camp, and conducted research in structural geology and geomechanics. She also was a geologist with Chevron in Louisiana and California. Erin holds a B.S. degree in geology from Occidental College and a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Wyoming, specializing in structural geology. Good luck with your next stint, Erin!

Peter Mclaughlin, State Geologist of Delaware

Peter Mclaughlin will be Director of the Delaware Geological Survey on August 1, as successor to David Wunsch, who held the post since 2011.  Peter has over 35 years of professional experience, and has been with DGS since 1999, after a decade with Exxon. His expertise is in stratigraphy and hydrogeology. He holds a 1984 B.S. in Geology from the University of Delaware and a 1989 Ph.D. in Geology from Louisiana State University. He also is Geology Professor at UD. Welcome Peter!

Steve Brown is Illinois State Geologist

As of May 1, Steve Brown was named the Interim Director of the Illinois State Geological Survey, upon Dick Berg’s retirement. Recently, as a long-time member of ISGS staff, after service in other states, he has been working on the Lake Michigan shoreline and lake-bottom change. His expertise is in glacial geology. He received his A.B. from Albion College, and his M.S. from University of Wisconsin in Madison. Good work, Steve!

AASG/BOEM MOU

An updated version of the Memorandum of Understanding between AASG and the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) was ceremonially signed by AASG President, Jessica Moore, and BOEM Associate Director for Strategic Resources, Megan Carr, during the AASG annual meeting in Baton Rouge. This MOU maintains and strengthens the partnership between state geological surveys and BOEM by leveraging onshore expertise to help solve offshore problems. These include the identification and characterization of industrial and critical minerals, offshore energy and submarine cable placement, coastal zone hazards, and habitat mapping. Initial efforts to align State and Federal priorities on these important issues will focus on seamless onshore-offshore mapping, with a data call from BOEM to be released in the coming months.

The 2025 AASG Annual Meeting was enjoyable and successful!

State Geologist of Louisiana Clare Falcon hosted an enjoyable 2025 AASG Annual Meeting – our 117thg - on May 31 - June 5 in Baton Rouge. Scenic and informative field trips were held to Avery Island, home of Tabasco® Sauce, and to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Center for River Studies, to explore a large-scale model of the Lower Mississippi River and other engaging exhibits. The annual meeting was a success, capped off by a ceremonial MOU signing with BOEM for onshore-offshore mapping. Thanks to our friends in Louisiana for hosting!

AASG Distinguished Service Award to Jim Faulds

At the 2025 AASG Annual Meeting in Louisiana, AASG President Jessica Moore of WV presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to Jim Faulds of NV. The DSA goes to particularly deserving, living, retired or retiring AASG people other than current officers who deserve to be recognized for the excellence of their efforts over the long term, in particular through AASG. Jim was State Geologist of NV from 2012-2024; AASG President, 2022-2023; President Elect, 2021-2022; Vice President, 2020-2021; and Annual Meeting Host, 2022. Recently, he co-led the Economic Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Geological Mapping in the United States of America from 1994 to 2019. Thanks for your service, Jim!

AASG Distinguished Service Award to Dick Berg

At the 2025 AASG Annual Meeting in Louisiana, AASG President Jessica Moore of WV presented the AASG Distinguished Service Award to Dick Berg of IL. The DSA goes to particularly deserving, living, retired or retiring AASG people other than current officers who deserve to be recognized for the excellence of their efforts over the long term, in particular through AASG. Dick was State Geologist of IL from 2014-2025. He served as AASG Editor from 2019 to 2021, and has been a Committee Chair. As an example of his diverse and highly admirable service, for many years, he has been a leader of the Great Lakes Geological Mapping Coalition. Recently, he co-led the Economic Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Geological Mapping in the United States of America from 1994 to 2019. Thanks for your service, Dick!

New AASG Officers elected

At the 2025 Annual Meeting in Louisiana, AASG Members elected their 2025-2026 Officers who will take office on July 1st. The Past President will be Jessica Moore of WV, and Matt Morgan of CO will move up from Vice President to President. Ruarri Day-Stirrat of OR – pictured here – will be President Elect, and Nick Hayman of OK will be Vice President. Returning junior Executive are Treasurer Claudio Berti of ID and Secretary Harley Means of FL. The non-Executive Officers will be Casey Hanell of WA returning as Editor, Matthew Heller of VA returning as Statistician, and Scott Howard of SC coming in as Historian. Thanks to all for your willingness to lead!

AASG Presidential Award to Matt Morgan

At the 2025 AASG Annual Meeting in Louisiana, AASG President Jessica Moore of WV presented the AASG Presidential Award to Matt Morgan, State Geologist of Colorado. 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. Thank-you for your service, Matt!

Matt Morgan of Colorado, 2025-2026 AASG President

Matt Morgan, State Geologist and Director at the Colorado Geological Survey since 2022, will be the 2025-2026 AASG President on July 1st. Matt was AASG VP in 2024-2025, and 2023 Annual Meeting Host. Matt received his bachelor’s degree in Geology from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 1996. He received a Professional Degree in GIS and Remote Sensing from University of Denver in 1997, and a Master’s degree in geology from the Colorado School of Mines in 2006. He also studied advanced project management at the Stanford School of Business in 2015. He was with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources from 1993 to 1995. He joined the Colorado Survey in 1996, and became Deputy Director in 2015. Thanks for your leadership, Matt!

Funding to state geological surveys continues positive trend

The 2025 Report of AASG Statistician Matt Heller of VA indicates that FY24 revenue to state geological surveys was $327.7M, up from $307.7M in FY23, with total staff of 2069 FTE; current estimates for FY25 are $327M and 2139 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. FY24 funding was half state-derived, and 23.5% 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 $76M in FY25. However, several states have seen an even stronger surge in state funding. Percent female among science staff has risen steadily over a decade from 24% to 34%. Publication sales have dwindled and stabilized as publications are offered for free online. The final report may be slightly revised at the end of June. The survey predates very recent federal developments.

Hugo F. Thomas, State Geologist of Connecticut from 1974 to 1989

Hugo Thomas passed away on January 27, 2025 at age 89. He was an associate professor at the University of Connecticut prior to his appointment in 1974 as the Director of a renewed Connecticut Geological Survey which had previously been based at Wesleyan University. He worked closely with USGS, established the Natural Resource Center, and was a leader in GIS. He hosted the 1985 AASG annual meeting in Mystic, CT. Hugo received the USGS John Wesley Powell Award in 1988, and the citation noted his leadership in the use of a comprehensive water resources information system. He was elected an AASG Honorary Member in 1990. He will be missed.

Bradford James Avy, Former State Geologist of Oregon, 1955-2024

Brad Avy passed away in September 2024. He was State Geologist of Oregon from 2015 to 2021. Before that he was with the Washington Agriculture department in commodity inspection, a senior research analyst with the Washington House of Representatives, and also with Washington State Departments of Health, and also Ecology. He began his career in geotechnical field studies as an engineering geologist in Alaska, co-founded the Eureka Drilling Company, and worked as a hydrogeologist in Washington on toxic site cleanup investigations. His bachelor's degree in geology was from the University of Washington, and his master's in geology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He will be missed.

David Wunsch to complete his time as Delaware State Geologist

Dr. David R. Wunsch will retire this year as State Geologist and Director of the Delaware Geological Survey, a position he has held since 2011. He was Director of Science & Technology for the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in 2010/2011. From 2000 to 2010, he was State Geologist of New Hampshire. He received his PhD from Kentucky in 1992. At the Kentucky Geological Survey, beginning in 1982, he was Coordinator of the Coal-Field Hydrology Program. Before that, he was instructor of geology at Central Michigan University. David was AGI President in 2021-2022, and AGI Executive Secretary in 2002-2004. He was an NGWA Division Director in 2002-2005, AASG President in 2009-2010, and AGI's first Congressional Science Fellow in 1998-1999. He has served on multiple high level panels, and has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including being 2024 Campbell Medalist. Thank-you for your superb service, David!