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!