Log in Join | Donate HOME EVENTS GROUPS SHOP ABOUT US CONTACT Home About us President's Letter PRESIDENT'S LETTER CHAIRPERSONS 2021-2022 BENEFITS OF WTGS MEMBERSHIP CURRENT OFFICERS BYLAWS President's Letter WTGS Bulletin Letter from the President I want to express my sincere appreciation to the membership of the WTGS for electing me as your president for 2021-2022. 2020 was a challenging year for our society but it seems the worst may be behind us as we make plans for a return to host many of our annual functions such as the Fall Symposium in person (as well as virtual), the Sporting Clays Tournament, the Golf Tournament as well as some workshops and/or short courses. I’m very proud to serve this distinguished geological organization. I’ve been a member since 1985 and served in a variety of capacities but this is the pinnacle of my service. I’ve often said I feel as though I have a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of the West Texas Geological Society. Our society has one of the richest histories among geological organizations in the United States. We have been served by some the brightest minds in the business with lectures, publications, presentations, posters and luncheon talks. The WTGS has produced twelve AAPG Presidents including two of the last four. They are in no particular order Mike Party, Denise Cox, Bruno Hanson, Will Green, Toby Carlton, Eddie David, Scott Tinker, Wallace Pratt, Grover Murray, Bob Gunn, James Gibbs, and Charles Sternbach. We have an excellent executive committee this year with many returning for another stint being John Bertalott (ConocoPhillips) 2nd VP, Emily Troxell (Chevron) Secretary, Abner Godoy (Summit) Treasurer, Katrina Soundy (Chevron) Editor, while adding Andrew Roark (Chevron) as 1st Vice-President and Dave Cannon (Diamondback) as President-Elect. I applaud these members and their companies for supporting their volunteering efforts. Hope: In the documentary “Last Chance” Michael Jordan spoke about his team’s 1998 run in the NBA playoffs when he said “It started with hope”. That’s how many of you began your education and careers in the geological sciences. Not with hope as in “I hope the Oklahoma State Cowboys win the Big 12 this year” but as in “I hope that I can make a good living for my family and me and have a long, prosperous career”. The last year probably had many of you questioning your decision. But despair not, this can be a brutally difficult business at times but perseverance and a commitment to constant improvement in skills and knowledge can lead to a rewarding and long career. That’s where our organization can help, with networking, training, support and camaraderie. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and your career through participation in WTGS. You can practice your leadership and teamwork skills while working towards your next promotion. You can garner some insights into a project you may be assigned by attending a short course or a field trip. As a personal example, one year I was asked to help chair a field trip to look at shelf margin facies in the Sierra Diablo Platform area that lead to a new interpretation of some 3-D seismic and a new oil field discovery. Pat Welch QUICK LINKS Bylaws | Members benefits | Events | Contact Us © West Texas Geological Society Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software