Ruarri Day-Stirrat, State Geologist of Oregon

On April 1, 2022, Dr. Ruarri J. Day-Stirrat was appointed State Geologist of Oregon, after several months in which Sarah Lewis was acting in this capacity. Ruarri received degrees in geology from Cardiff and Newcastle University in the UK. He was with the Bureau of Economic Geology in Texas from 2006 until 2011, and was then with Shell Research in Houston. Dr. Day-Stirrat has expertise in clay minerals, rock properties, mineralogy, and diagenesis. Welcome, Ruarri!

 

Steve Dickson Named Maine State Geologist

In December 2021, Stephen M. Dickson was named State Geologist with the Maine Geological Survey, after acting in this capacity after Bob Marvinney’s retirement at the end of last June. 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. Welcome, Steve!

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=6216903

2022 AASG Pick and Gavel Award to Senator Barrasso

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 2022 recipient is Senator John Barrasso M.D. of Wyoming. Senator Barrasso was sworn in to US Senate in 2007, and previously served in the Wyoming Senate from 2003 to 2007. He is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. During 24 years as an orthopedic surgeon, he served as President of the Wyoming Medical Society and was named Wyoming Physician of the Year. Senator Barrasso received his M.D. from Georgetown in 1978, and conducted his residency at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.

David LePain, State Geologist of Alaska

In March this year, David LePain will become State Geologist of Alaska, as successor to Steve Masterman. David has been a Petroleum Geologist at the Alaska survey since 2014. His specialties are applied sedimentology and stratigraphy, basin analysis, and petroleum geology. David obtained his B.S. in geology with distinction at Wayne State University in Detroit, his M.S. in geology in 1987 at Wright State University in Dayton Ohio H, and his Ph.D. in geology at University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993. David has gained much industry experience over the years, as well as early career service with the Wisconsin and Alaska state geological surveys. Welcome, David!

Steve Masterman to complete his time as State Geologist of Alaska

Steven S. Masterman is planning to retire as State Geologist and Director at the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys this spring. Steve was appointed to this role in 2013, as successor to Bob Swenson. He performed superbly as AASG VP, President Elect, President, and Past President from 2015 to 2019. Steve hosted a wonderfully successful AASG Annual Meeting in 2016, and the Alaska team heroically hosted AASG digital infrastructure for over a decade. Prior to his Alaska state government service, Steve worked extensively in the mineral industry, including work in Alaska, Peru and Nevada. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mining geology from the Royal School of Mines, and a master’s degree in geological engineering from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Thanks for your service, Steve!

Harley Means, State Geologist of Florida

Guy “Harley” Means is the 7^th State Geologist of Florida, as successor to Jon Arthur, who is now Executive Director of AGI. Harley was born and raised in Tallahassee as a fourth generation Florida native. He grew up on Tall Timbers Research Station where his father was director. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in geology from Florida State University. At the Survey, he has worked on stratigraphy, paleontology, karst, geoarchaeology, and hydrogeology. He is coauthor of Roadside Geology of Florida. Congratulations, Harley!

Ken Bradbury to complete his time as State Geologist of Wisconsin

Kenneth R. Bradbury is planning to retire as Director of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey in July 2022. Ken was appointed State Geologist as successor to Jamie Robertson in 2015. He has performed superbly as AASG Statistician since 2019. Ken is a hydrogeologist with broad accomplishments and influence. He has worked on Wisconsin groundwater since 1982, and he has had national roles such as with the National Academy. Ken’s B.A. was from Ohio Wesleyan, his Master's from Indiana, and his PhD from UW-Madison in 1982. Thanks for your service, Ken!

Ben Dejong, State Geologist of Vermont

Benjamin Dejong has been appointed Vermont State Geologist, effective today. Ben has for a decade been a hydrogeological consultant based in Montpelier, and he also spent a couple years teaching at Norwich University. Prior to consulting, Ben worked for eight years with the USGS, including work on Chesapeake Bay Geology. He holds a PhD from University of Vermont, and he also graduated from Calvin College and Utah State. Welcome, Ben!

Vicki Cowart steps down from Planned Parenthood

Vicki Cowart has stepped down as head of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains after 18 years in this role. Vicki was State Geologist of Colorado from 1992 to 2003, AASG President in 2001/2002, and AGI Campbell Medalist in 2010. Best wishes for your next career step, Vicki!

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2021/11/09/head-of-planned-parenthood-of-the-rocky-mountains-retires-after-18-years-at-helm/

Mankin Award to Wyoming

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 2021 AASG Mankin Award will be presented to Wyoming authors, for their publication: Lichtner, D.T., Toner, R.N., Wrage, J.M., and Lynds, R.M., 2020, Upper Cretaceous strata in the Powder River Basin—Formation tops database, structure and thickness contour maps, and associated well data: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2020-9, 50 p.

Congratulations!

https://sales.wsgs.wyo.gov/upper-cretaceous-strata-in-the-powder-river-basin-formation-tops-database-structure-and-thickness-contour-maps-and-associated-well-data-2020/

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 2021 Frye Award will be presented to New Mexico authors, for their publication: Rawling, G.C. and Rinehart, A.J., 2018, Lifetime projections for the High Plains Aquifer in east-central New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Bulletin 162, 42p. 

Congratulations!

https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/monographs/bulletins/162/

State Geologist of Ohio, Mark Jones

On November 1^st, Dalton (“Mark”) Oxner-Jones became the 15^th State Geologist Of Ohio. Mark is the first African American State Geologist. He interned with the Ohio survey in 1996, at their former Lake Erie office in Sandusky, while completing his B.S. at Cleveland State and his M.S. at Kent State University. He then worked in the private sector before returning to ODNR in 2008 as the Lake Erie geologist. He became the supervisor of the Division’s H.R. Collins core laboratory at Alum Creek State Park in 2013. Additionally, Mark managed the Lake Erie program, OhioSeis seismic grid network, and underground salt mining leases for beneath Lake Erie. Welcome, Mark!

Mike Angle completes his time as State Geologist of Ohio

At the end of October, Mike Angle completed his time as 14th State Geologist of Ohio. Mike 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 from 1974 to 1981, with a specialty in glacial geology and hydrogeology.

Marcia McNutt is the 2021 Campbell Medalist

AGI has announced that Marcia McNutt, geophysicist and president of the National Academy of Sciences, is the 2021 recipient of the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences, AGI's highest award. Marcia was Director of the USGS from 2009 to 2013, and among many other great achievements and contributions, she also has been President of AGU. The Campbell Medal is given in recognition of singular performance in and contributions to the profession of geology. Candidates are measured against the distinguished career of Ian Campbell, state geologist of California from 1959 to 1969, whose service to the profession touched virtually every facet of the geosciences.

Kansas Geological Survey seeks a director

The University of Kansas seeks a director for the Kansas Geological Survey. The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership, guiding the faculty, staff and students of this state survey and designated research center to its next phase of achievement.

 https://research.ku.edu/director-kansas-geological-survey

State Geologist of Louisiana, Clare Falcon

On September 20^th, Clare Falcon will be State Geologist of Louisiana. Falcon has worked in Houston for BHP, and other companies, recently as a manager and geologist on Gulf of Mexico projects. She is originally from England, where she did her PhD at Leeds, and her bachelor’s in geology at Liverpool. Welcome Clare!

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Total annual funding to state geological surveys approaches a quarter billion dollars

The 2021 Report of AASG Statistician Ken Bradbury of WI indicates that FY20 revenue to state geological surveys was $231M, with total staff of 1789 FTE, and current estimates for FY21 at $242M. 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. FY20 funding is half state-derived, and 20% 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 in FY21. Percent female among science staff has risen steadily over a decade from 24% to 30%. Publication sales continue to dwindle as data and publications are offered for free online.

AGI Executive Director, Jon Arthur

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) today announced the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Arthur as its new Executive Director, effective August 1, 2021. Jon has been with Florida Geological Survey since 1993, and Florida State Geologist since 2008. He served as AASG President in 2014/2015, having joined AASG Executive in 2010. He also has served as President of the Florida Association of Professional Geologists. He was recently appointed to the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Academy of Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1994. Best wishes, Jon!

Erin Campbell, AASG President, 2021-2022

On July 1st, 2021, Erin Campbell, Wyoming State Geologist, will be President of AASG. Erin also serves as a cabinet member for the governor of Wyoming, and is a commissioner for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and the Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission. She spent one year as the manager of the Energy and Mineral Resources division at the Wyoming State Geological Survey before being appointed as state geologist in 2017. Previously, 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. Additionally, she 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.

William “Bill” Marsalis, State Geologist of Louisiana from 1992-1997

William E. Marsalis, Jr., March 28, 1937 - June 10, 2021, of Houston TX, has passed away. Bill was Louisiana State Geologist from November 1992–September 1997, and thus the predecessor of Chacko John. He received his MS from the University of Alabama Department of Geological Sciences, and he was a proud follower of the Crimson Tide. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1962, and worked in many roles before becoming State Geologist