Charles E. Chapin, New Mexico State Geologist from 1991 to 1999

Chuck Chapin, who was the New Mexico State Geologist and directed the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources from 1991–1999, passed away peacefully at his home in Albuquerque on March 14, 2024. He was 91. Chuck, who grew up in Washington State and trained at Colorado School of Mines, began his career at New Mexico Tech in 1965. He joined the Bureau of Geology from the NMT Geoscience Department in 1970. He was a visionary, creative, and insightful geoscientist who shaped our thinking about Laramide tectonics, Cenozoic volcanism, and the Rio Grande rift in New Mexico. Chuck was a strong mentor and, during his career, provided valuable instruction and encouragement to many graduate students and staff members at the Bureau of Geology. He was a kind person with a good sense of humor who was unafraid to speak his mind. He is missed.

2024 Pick and Gavel Awards to Senators Daines and Tester of Montana

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 2024 recipients are Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester of Montana.

A fifth-generation Montanan, Steve Daines has 28 years of private-sector business experience. He is working on issues of critical importance to growing good-paying Montana jobs, developing the state’s energy resources, managing and protecting our public lands and supporting the needs of Montana’s veterans and tribes. He serves on the Senate Committees on Finance, Banking Housing and Urban Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, and Indian Affairs. Steve has been married to his wife, Cindy, for 37 years. They have four children and six grandchildren. They are involved in their church and community volunteer organizations and enjoy backpacking, hunting, skiing, and fishing.

U.S. Senator Jon Tester is a third-generation Montana farmer, a proud grandfather, and a former schoolteacher. He is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. He also serves on the Banking Committee, the Commerce Committee, and the Committee on Indian Affairs. Jon and his wife Sharla still farm the same land near the town of Big Sandy, Montana that was homesteaded by Jon’s grandparents in 1912.

Thank-you for your superb service, Senators!

https://www.daines.senate.gov/

https://www.tester.senate.gov/

Edward Rooks, State Geologist of Georgia

Edward Rooks has been named State Geologist of Georgia. He has thirty years of experience as a contractor, consultant, manufacturer, and regulator. Since 2006, he has been a Program Manager in the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, specializing in agricultural permitting and compliance, including ground and/or surface water withdrawal permits for the state. Before that, he was an Environmental Manager with Alcoa, and a project geologist beginning in 1990. He obtained his BS in geology from Emory in 1988, and a Master of Earth and Environmental Resources Management from University of South Carolina in 1994. Welcome, Edward!

The Geologic Mapping Forum (GMF) facilitates discussion among geologic map authors, program managers, and allied professionals, in the US and more broadly. The focus is on geological mapping science, rather than funding or GIS which are better covered in other meetings. 

The US Congress and States have accelerated needed systematic mapping, leading to important applications and exciting research outcomes. The series is coordinated by University of Minnesota Professor Harvey Thorleifson, and by NCGMP Coordinator Chris Swezey of the US Geological Survey. 

In-person meetings were held in 2018 and 2019, and monthly online meetings have been held since onset of the pandemic in 2020. This year, we are meeting on Thursdays for 2 hours at Noon Central on Oct 5, Nov 2, Nov 30, Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 21, & Ap 18; we have added February 8.

Abstracts for the 20-minute invited talks again are requested. Additional regional and topical workshops will be arranged separately by NCGMP as needed. Here are past GMF abstracts: 2018, 2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023; and the 2018 meeting summary.

Videos will be available unless speakers request otherwise. Resources are here, for those who are able to use Dropbox either on a work machine, or a personal device. For information, or to request to attend, please email thorleif@umn.edu

Jim Faulds to complete his time as State Geologist of Nevada

Jim Faulds has indicated that he will soon complete his time as State Geologist of Nevada. He was 2022-2023 AASG President, and 2022 Annual Meeting Host. James E. Faulds was appointed Director, State Geologist, and Professor, at Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno in 2012. Jim received his B.S. from University of Montana in 1981, his M.S. from University of Arizona in 1986, and his Ph.D. from University of New Mexico in 1989. His expertise is in geologic mapping, structural geology, tectonics, paleomagnetism, and geothermal. Previously, Jim was a professor at University of Iowa from 1991 to 1997. Well done, Jim!

Steven Domber, State Geologist of New Jersey

In December 2023, Steven Domber was appointed Director of the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey, having served in the Department since the year 2000. He had been serving as Section Chief for Water Resource Management. As State Geologist, Steve follows Jeffrey L. Hoffman who served from 2015 to 2023, Karl W. Muessig who had the role from 1999 to 2015, and Haig F. Kasabach who filled the role from 1983 to 1999. The history of the Survey goes back to 1835. Steven obtained his Master’s degree in geology and geophysics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 2000, and he holds qualifications as a certified public manager from Rutgers. His undergrad in geology was from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1994. Congratulations and best of luck, Steve!

Jeffrey Hoffman has completed his time as State Geologist of New Jersey

In December 2023, Jeffrey L. Hoffman retired from his position as State Geologist of New Jersey after over 42 years of service to the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. Jeff was appointed Director in 2015, as successor to Karl W. Muessig, who had taken over from Haig F. Kasabach in 1999. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences from Penn State, and a Master’s in hydrogeology from Princeton. Congratulations, and thanks for your superb service, Jeff!

Carl J. Smith, State Geologist of West Virginia, 1944 – 2023

Carl James Smith, former State Geologist of West Virginia, passed away on December 29, 2023, at the age of 79. He was born on September 25, 1944, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Carl served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Commodore during Desert Storm. He served the State of West Virginia for over 30 years. He became State Geologist and Director of the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey from 2002 to 2005. He followed Larry Woodfork as State Geologist, and preceded Michael Hohn. He led the agency into the development of digital publications. During his time, the Survey became part of the Department of Commerce and began new studies in carbon sequestration and oil fields. Carl was a captivating storyteller and a source of joy to those around him. He was preceded in death by his late wife of 36 years, Trudy DiSabella Smith. He will be missed.

https://www.dominionpost.com/2024/01/04/carl-smith-3/

https://www.wvgs.wvnet.edu/www/allabout/allabout.htm#History

Mark Shuster, State Geologist of Texas

Effective January 3^rd, 2024, Mark Shuster is the acting State Geologist of Texas. Previously, Mark was responsible for managing the Bureau's energy-related research. He joined the Bureau in September, 2016. Prior to joining the Bureau, Mark worked for Shell and affiliates for 30 years in upstream oil and gas roles around the world. Mark began his professional career as a Research Geologist working on projects on the Permian Basin, Atlantic margin basins and southeast Asia. Subsequently, Mark worked on exploration and appraisal projects in Venezuela, Australia, Middle East, Gulf of Mexico and most recently, Alaska. Mark received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of the Pacific and his PhD in Geology from the University of Wyoming. 

Source: https://www.beg.utexas.edu/people/directorate

 

Jim Kennedy has retired as State Geologist of Georgia

Jim Kennedy retired as State Geologist of Georgia in 2022. The position remains vacant. The Geological Survey of Georgia and/or a State Geologist was first established from 1836 to 1840, then from 1874 to 1881. From 1890 to 2005, nine State Geologists served the state, and upon the retirement of Bill McLemore in 2005, Jim Kennedy was appointed. He holds a doctorate in geology, with a specialty in hydrogeology from Texas A&M University. He brought to the position 25 years experience consulting in the hydrogeology. He had previously served as a senior scientist for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting Inc. in Kennesaw.

https://www.georgiasfossils.com/24-needed-the-georgia-geologic-survey.html

 

John Yellich to complete his time as State Geologist of Michigan

John Yellich has announced his pending retirement as Director of the Michigan Geological Survey. John, who was appointed in 2013, is to be commended for rebuilding the survey, after its transfer in 2011 from state government to Western Michigan University as a one-person survey. The budget is now at 3M/y, along with 5M for five years of aggregate mapping. For AASG, John served as 2018-2019 VP, 2019-2020 President Elect, 2020-2021 President, and 2021-2022 Past President. Previously, John accumulated decades of accomplishments in mineral exploration and consulting, in over thirty states and around the world. John holds BA and MS degrees in geology from Western Michigan University. Thanks for your superb service, John!