Let Me Introduce Myself
President’s Letter – September 2025
It is a true honor to write to you as President of HGS and to welcome everyone to what promises to be an exciting new year for our society. I look forward to connecting with more of our members, hearing your experiences across the industry, and learning how HGS can continue to be a partner in your career journey.
Who Is Your New President
As I get to know each of you, I’d like to share a bit about my own path in geoscience. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1986 with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Boone Pickens School of Geology.
My career began at ExxonMobil in Houston as a production geologist, followed by several exploration assignments. From 1997–2004, I worked as an independent consultant, providing asset evaluations for multiple companies, before rejoining ExxonMobil in 2004. Over the years, I was fortunate to work on diverse energy projects in technical and management roles that took me across six continents.
In 2013, I was named a senior principal geoscientist in upstream, and in 2015, promoted to chief geoscientist. After retiring in 2020, I remained active in the professional community through the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, serving in the House of Delegates and as a Trustee Associate of the AAPG Foundation. At HGS, I have previously served as Vice President and continue to contribute on the Finance Committee.
Why Professional Societies Matter
Throughout my career, I have often been asked by younger professionals whether it’s worth investing time in professional societies like HGS. Their concern was always the same: with time in such short supply, where is the value?
My answer comes from my own experience. As a student at Oklahoma State, I was introduced to the value of professional societies by alumnus Herb Davis, who was deeply involved in the Oklahoma City Geological Society. He often sponsored students to attend luncheons and technical talks, emphasizing the importance of building networks beyond one’s employer or alumni circle. Just as importantly, he modeled the principle of paying it forward to the next generation. That lesson has stayed with me, and it’s one I hope to inspire in all our members.
In today’s rapidly evolving work environment—shaped by flexible schedules, frequent mergers, and emerging industries that rely on geoscience skills—the importance of strong networks has never been greater. HGS provides those opportunities: networking, mentoring, and technical training. I believe our society is uniquely positioned to meet these needs for our members.
This is your society, and I welcome your feedback and active participation. It only functions because of the volunteer efforts of all of you, assisted by our office staff.
Gratitude to Outgoing HGS Leaders
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our outgoing board members for their dedication and service.
● President: Penny Patterson, who kept HGS on a positive trajectory and leaves the society stronger than ever.
● Vice President: Catie Donahue, whose leadership in organizing the technical program and the joint HGS–GESGB Africa Conference last October was outstanding.
● Editor: Ted Godo, who rose to the challenge with distinction, personally contributing 12 articles.
● Treasurer: Glen Lowenstein, who provided the board with timely and detailed financial reports, ensuring our fiscal health.
● Secretary: Sophie Broun, who diligently documented board activities and helped streamline new membership approvals.
● Directors: Judy Schulenberg and Sharma Dronamraju, who strengthened continuing education, scholarship, and social networking efforts.
On behalf of HGS, I thank each of you for your hard work and dedication this past year.
Goals for the Year Ahead
Our long-term goals span many presidents and boards, and consistency is key. We will continue to build on recent progress in four critical areas:
1. Financial stability and health.
2. Growing membership, particularly among early- and mid-career professionals.
3. Delivering an engaging technical program and continuing education opportunities.
4. Expanding opportunities for networking and volunteer involvement.
In addition, this year we will launch a long-awaited redesign of the HGS website. Modernizing our 15-year-old platform will greatly improve communication, event registration, and access to information. I look forward to sharing updates soon on this exciting milestone.
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I am honored to serve as your President and look forward to seeing you at HGS events throughout the year. Together, we will continue to strengthen our society and our profession.