President’s Letter

Third Time’s a Charm!

They say the third time’s a charm—and in my case, they were right!

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the HGS membership for your support as I take on the role of President for the 2026–2027 term. I also want to express my appreciation to the many members who have supported me in the various volunteer roles I have held within the HGS over the past 17 years.

This election was my third attempt at becoming HGS President. I was fortunate enough to run against two outstanding candidates in my previous attempts, Paul Britt and Penny Patterson, and, quite frankly, they were the right choices at the time. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have competed alongside both and even more grateful to now have the opportunity to serve this organization.

The journey to this position has been a long one, and it has been shaped by a lot more than elections. It has been shaped by the people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, and the many opportunities I’ve had to say “yes” when asked by various members to volunteer.

About Me

My first interaction with the geoscience community came through the South Texas Geological Society (STGS) when I was a student member. At the time, I was studying at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and serving as President of the Student Geological Society.

Those early years taught me a great deal about the power of networking, mentorship, and friendship within our industry. I will never forget my first experiences with STGS, including the free student lunches (special thanks to Juan Cabasos at Core Laboratories!) and receiving an STGS scholarship that helped cover field camp equipment and travel expenses.

After graduating in 2008, I found a job in Houston thanks to Dean Dr. Alan Dutton, who connected me with a job interview. I decided to make the most of that trip by attending my very first HGS event, Technofest!

Believe it or not, my HGS volunteer journey began in 2009 when Jeff Allen invited me to NAPE to volunteer with Bill Mason, who was then Chair of the Exhibits Committee. That experience began a long tradition of people asking me to serve in various capacities—and me simply saying, “Yes.”

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about HGS from many different perspectives by serving as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and now President.

My move to Houston became permanent after Technofest, when I was offered a position at Ingrain. There, I expanded my knowledge of reservoir characterization using some of the latest imaging technologies available at the time, including Micro-CT, Nano-CT, medical CT, and Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM).

I spent four years developing my technical skills as a geologist, examining cores and drill cuttings from a new perspective during a period when the shale industry was rapidly expanding across North America. I eventually transitioned into product development within the research and development division, where I helped deploy new cuttings-analysis workflows for customers. While working for Ingrain, I was exposed to the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence workflows which inspired me to pursue and receive a master’s degree in data Analytics from Texas A&M University.

Eventually, I moved into sales and business development—and I haven’t looked back. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work at Halliburton, TGS, and now Premier Corex.

The Value of Volunteering

Throughout my time volunteering with HGS, the greatest benefit I’ve experienced has been friendship. Serving alongside passionate individuals has introduced me to people throughout our industry whom I otherwise may never have had the opportunity to meet.

Every volunteer experience provides a glimpse into another part of our industry. Whether it’s helping organize an event, participating on a committee, or working alongside another volunteer, these experiences broaden our perspective and strengthen our professional networks.

Volunteering also makes attending conferences, field trips, short courses, and social events much more enjoyable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked through the aisles of IMAGE, NAPE, or URTeC and run into someone I first met through an HGS event.

Working alongside someone is one of the best ways to get to know them. Professional societies create opportunities to collaborate with people we might never otherwise encounter in our day-to-day careers. Those interactions are where friendships are formed, relationships are strengthened, and professional networks grow.

Continued education is another important part of the value HGS provides. Each of us should strive to expand our knowledge and stay connected to the technical developments shaping our industry. The HGS has done an excellent job providing cost-effective short courses and creating opportunities for technical discussion among geoscientists.

The Mission

As I begin my term as HGS President, I wanted to formalize what I believe our society can accomplish this year based on conversations with our membership, Board, and committees.

1.       Grow our in-person events.
We will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors and all HGS committees to create engaging opportunities for members to connect, learn, and build relationships in person.

2.       Expand our young professional base.
We will develop events and content that provide meaningful value to those who are early or mid-career, helping them build technical knowledge, professional relationships, and a lasting connection to HGS.

3.       Adding value for our sponsors and donors.
Our sponsors and donors play an important role in allowing HGS to provide programs and services to our membership. We will look for ways to strengthen those relationships and ensure they see meaningful value from their involvement with the HGS.

4.       Remain fiscally responsible.
We will pursue these goals while maintaining responsible financial stewardship and ensuring that HGS remains positioned to serve our members for years to come.

Ultimately, I want HGS to be a place where people come to learn, connect, and build relationships that last throughout their careers. My own experience is a testament to the impact a professional society can have.

I lost two elections before winning this one. But those losses never changed my desire to serve HGS, and they certainly didn't diminish my respect for the people who won. If anything, they reinforced one of the lessons I've learned throughout my career: keep showing up, keep contributing, and keep saying yes.

I want to thank the outgoing Board for their hard work and accomplishments over the previous year. They have laid a strong foundation for the current Board to build upon as we pursue these goals. I also want to extend a special thank-you to the Past Presidents Committee for their continued support, guidance, and mentorship.

I am honored to serve as your President, and I promise to do everything within my ability to serve HGS and the greater geoscience community.

I look forward to seeing you at an HGS event soon—and I hope you’ll consider saying “yes” when the opportunity to get involved comes your way.

Third time’s a charm. Let’s make it a great year for HGS!

Bryan Guzman

President

Houston Geological Society