Donald A. Hull, State Geologist of Oregon from 1979 to 1999, 1938 - 2024

Don Hull was born in Wallace, Idaho in 1938 and died on July 13, 2024. He obtained degrees in Geology from the University of Idaho, McGill University, and Mackay School of Mines. He worked in mineral exploration, and in 1974 he moved to Oregon to work on geothermal energy. In 1979 he was appointed State Geologist and Director of the State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Examples of his long and broad leadership were his role in the first natural gas production in the state, a regulatory regime for metal mining, oversight of potential offshore mining, and mapping of tsunami risk. He was AASG President in 93/94, and a member of the Executive Committee of American Geological Institute. For his long service to AASG, he received the AASG Distinguished Service Award. A service will be held at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1535 NE 17th, Oct 5 2024 at 1. 

Bob Tipping, State Geologist of Minnesota

On October 7th, 2024, Bob Tipping will be State Geologist of Minnesota. He is originally from Illinois, and he holds a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in MN. He first worked for the Minnesota Geological Survey in 1986, and started full time in 1988. He can list many MGS accomplishments in the subsequent years, and has taught in the Department, including its hydrogeology field school, and elsewhere. He completed Master’s and PhD degrees in hydrogeology at UMN. He is a former President of the Minnesota Ground Water Association. In 2019, Bob moved to the Minnesota Department of Health, and he now will return to MGS. Welcome Bob!

Will Jackson, State Geologist of Tennessee

In July 2024, Will Jackson was named State Geologist of Tennessee. Previously, he was at University of Memphis for four years, University of South Alabama for three years, and two years at Geological Survey of Alabama. Will holds a PhD from University of Alabama, an MS from University of Memphis, and a BS from University of Alabama. Will’s research has been on integration of sedimentology, stratigraphy, and structural geology with geochronology and thermochronology to understand sediment provenance and the relationships between deformation and deposition. Will is successor to Ron Zurawski, who held the position from 1996 to this past year. Welcome, Will!

Brian Yellen is the State Geologist of Massachusetts

Brian Yellen has been appointed State Geologist of Massachusetts, as successor to Steve Mabee. He has worked in private sector groundwater cleanup, teaching high school science, and academic research. Since 2012, he has taught professional development workshops to environmental consultants. His research has been on dam removals, sediment transport, coastal change, blue carbon, and fluvial erosion due to extreme floods. Since 2017, Brian has been a research assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Geographic and Climate Sciences at UMass Amherst. He holds a bachelor's degree in geology-biology from Brown University, a master's degree in education from the University of Hawaii Manoa, and a master's degree and Ph.D. in geosciences from UMass Amherst. Welcome, Brian!

David Wunsch is the 2024 Campbell Medalist

Dr. David R. Wunsch, State Geologist and Director of the Delaware Geological Survey, is the 2024 recipient of the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences. From 2011 to the present, David has been State Geologist of Delaware. He was Director of Science & Technology for the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in 2011. From 2000 to 2010, he was State Geologist of New Hampshire. At the Kentucky Geological Survey, beginning in 1982, he was Coordinator of the Coal-Field Hydrology Program. David was AGI President in 2021-2022, and AGI Executive Secretary in 2002-2004. He currently chairs the AGI Critical Needs Document Committee. 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. Congratulations, David!

Michael McGlue, State Geologist of Kentucky

On August 1, 2024, Dr. Michael McGlue will be Director of the Kentucky Geological Survey and State Geologist of Kentucky. He received a B.S. in geology from Washington and Lee University in 2000, an M.S. in earth science from Syracuse University in 2004, and a geoscience Ph.D. in paleolimnology from the University of Arizona in 2011. He was a USGS Mendenhall postdoc fellow from 2011 to 2013. He became a University of Kentucky assistant professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences in 2013. Welcome, Michael!

Ryan Gordon is the State Geologist of Maine

Ryan Gordon has been appointed acting State Geologist of Maine. He succeeds Steve Dickson, who held the post since 2021, upon the retirement of Bob Marvinney. Ryan's expertise is in hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, snow survey, and water wells. He has been with the Maine Geological Survey since 2015. He attended Williams College and Syracuse University. Welcome, Ryan!

Steve Dickson has completed his time as Maine State Geologist

Stephen M. Dickson has completed his time as State Geologist with the Maine Geological Survey. Steve joined the Maine survey in 1986 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. With MGS, he has served as State Marine Geologist (2000-2021), Marine Geologist (1990-1999), and Senior Geologist (1986-1989). He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Oceanography from the University of Maine, an M.S. in Geological Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, and a B.A. in Environmental Sciences from Wesleyan University. Stephen co-chairs the Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council and co-authored the Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and Its Effects in Maine Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge chapter. He was appointed State Geologist in 2021 after Bob Marvinney ’s retirement. Thanks for your superb service, Steve!