2016 President Awardees

2016 HGS President Awards

Awardee	Award	Bio
Alison Henning	"Posthumous" Distinguished Service Award	Alison Henning was a long-time HGS member and an active volunteer of the society. In her professional career, she enjoyed teaching geology to her students at Rice University and to teachers as part of the Teachers Continuing Education Endeavor, as well as her work in the petroleum industry, most recently at BP. As an active HGS member/volunteer: - She served as the co-chair in the start-up years of Earth Science Week activities and was awarded a HGS Rising Star Award in 2001 - She helped organize and lead HGS activities at several CAST (Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching) meetings - In 2008-2009, she was a HGS representative on the Texas Board of Education to develop the earth science high school curriculum and fought valiantly to keep valid earth science in our schools - As Director on the HGS Board in 2007-2009, she coordinated the Maps in Schools project and assisted in the selection of Teacher of the Year - Alison was instrumental in the HGS community outreach Evergreen Cemetery Project in 2007 - She volunteered at the HGS booth during the school field trips at the Houston Gem and Mineral Society shows - She served on the HGS Calvert Scholarship Committee
Janet Combes	Honorary Life Membership	Janet Combes has been a member of the HGS since she moved back to Houston in 1995. In addition to being active in numerous HGS committees, she served as an elected HGS Director in 2002-2004, was a member of the AAPG House of Delegates from 1999-2002, was a session co-chair at both the 1995 and 2006 AAPG conventions, and served on the planning committees for the 2008 GCAGS/GSA in Houston as chair of the teacher event From 1999-2001, Janet served as Logistics Co-Chair of the new Earth Science Week committee and has remained on the committee since then; in 1997, as a member of the HGS Museum Committee she-started as a volunteer guide at the Houston Museum Natural Science and which she continues to this day. As a Director in 2003 she helped initiate the Northsiders committee and continued as a committee member until 2010. In 2003 and 2005 Janet was the HGS co-chair of the HGS participation at CAST: the Science Teachers of Texas annual conference. In 1998-99 and in 2004-06 she participated in the Houston Science / Engineering Fair as a judge for the Houston Geological Society awards. For a number of years Janet was in charge of arranging for the HGS Science Fair winners to attend the Annual Guest Night and of the presentation slides shown as their awards were announced. Since 2004 she has chaired the HGS outreach booth at annual Houston Gem and Mineral Show where thousands of school kids come by on field trips and hundreds of Scouts “talk to a geologist” as a badge requirement. She has also chaired the HGS outreach booth at annual Sally Ride Science Festival for middle school girls since 2010. Currently Janet remains the chair for the HGS booth at the Houston Gem and Mineral Show and for the Sally Ride Science Festival and she is on the Earth Science Week committee and is still volunteering at the science museum. The HGS has previously recognized Janet’s contributions: in 2001 she received the Rising Star award, in 2006 and 2010 she was given the President’s Award, in 2008 the Distinguished Service Award, and in February 2006 was cited as the Volunteer of the Month. Recognitions by other societies include ECH Excellence in Education award in 2007 and the Texas Earth Science Teachers Association Recognition award in 2003.
Paul Hoffman	Honorary LIfe Membership	After earning his BS in Geology from UT Austin, Paul Hoffman joined Cities Service in 1975. He served ten years with Ladd Petroleum, ultimately as GC Region VP. In 1991, he established and managed a Gulf Coast office for Duncan for 12 years, then managed E&P for Cox & Perkins, and in 2008, became President of Allen-Hoffman Exploration. He has served eight terms in AAPG’s House of Delegates, including service on HoD’s Honors & Awards Committee, Nomination and Election Committee, and Constitution and Bylaws Committees, which he chaired in 2007-2008. He chaired an Ad Hoc Constitution and Bylaws Committee for HGS and served as HGS Secretary, Director, Vice President, and finally as President in 2001 - 2002. He has since chaired the HGS Ballot Committee since 2007 and served on the HGS Foundation Board since 2005. Paul is also a member of SIPES. Paul has been honored by HGS with a Speaker’s Award, President’s Award, and Distinguished Service Award and by AAPG with House of Delegates Long Service Award and the AAPG Distinguished Service Award. Paul wants to emphasize to the community of geologists in Houston that service to HGS has been one of the most rewarding facets of his professional career and a source of countless professional relationships and friendships that have truly enriched his life. Any geologist who has the opportunity to join in serving the Houston Geological Society should embrace it. The sacrifices have yielded benefits that no one should miss.
Sharon Choen	Distinguished Service Award	Sharon Choens Serves as Chair for the Earth Science Week Committee • Chair the Earth Science Celebration at the HMNS in October (work with HGS - HMNS Committee Co-Chairs) Awarded the 2011-2012 Rising Star Award Chaired the College/Pre-professional Subcommittee of the Educational Outreach Committee (2011-12) Graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. Followed that with a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Houston, CLC while working in the oil industry. Currently a geology professor at San Jacinto College – Central. As Lead geology faculty, I manage a large geology program. Prior to academia, I worked for Sun Production Company as a Senior Development Geologist in Houston. Transferred to Lafayette, LA., where I was Area Geologist - Southern Louisiana.
Michael Deming	Distinguished Service Award	MICHAEL DEMING has served the Houston Geological Society in various capacities over the years. His volunteer work began in 1993 when he was Membership Chairman and he fulfilled that role until 1997. His service continued as the Poster Chairman in 2000. From 1997–1999 Michael was the HGS Treasurer-elect and Treasurer. He also served as HGS Vice President in 2013-2014 where he organized 13 technical dinner meetings. Recently he slogged in the HGS Basement cleaning the mess caused by the recent flood in Houston. The society would like to recognize Michael for these service efforts, but in particular for his work as Awards Chairman from 2004-2016. During this period he has never let the society, a guest speaker, or an annual awardee go without proper recognition. Michael strives, but is not always successful, in ensuring that award inscription is perfect. This kind of service helps make the HGS a coherent and active society. The consistency and respect for our speakers and the reliability of volunteer efforts from Michael are what makes him the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award. A Note form the HGS Office Staff: Mike Deming has been a valuable volunteer for HGS for many years. He helps with heaving lifting and organization at all HGS conferences, helps out at the office several times per month and most recently spent a week mucking out the flooded garage storage at the HGS office. We appreciate you tremendously Mike. Thanks you!
Tom McCarroll	Distinguished Service Award	TOM McCARROLL received his B.S. in geology from LSU in 1973. He started his career with Amoco Production Company in New Orleans, but moved to Houston after being awarded a graduate fellowship at Rice University in 1976. He cut his academic career short in 1977 to accept a position as Staff Geophysicist with Oil Development Company of Texas. ODCT eventually became Santa Fe Energy Resources and Tom worked there until 1998, serving in a variety of positions, including Division Exploration Manager in charge of the Gulf Coast, Division Exploration Manager in charge of the Western Division (everything west of the Rockies), Manager of Business Development, and VP and General Manager of Santa Fe Energy Resources of Myanmar, located in Rangoon. Tom McCarroll During his exploration career, Tom has worked the Gulf Coast, on- and offshore, San Joaquin and Sacramento basins, the Basin and Range, the Mid-Continent, and the Permian basin in the U.S., as well as the Irrawaddy and Chindwin basins in Myanmar (Burma). Tom and his wife, Michelle, recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary and are enjoying living in the suburbs of Welcome, Texas. They have a son, Otis, who graduated from Texas A&M in 2000 and is currently living and working in New Orleans. Tom is a member of HGS, GSH, AAPG, SEG, and API and has served several terms as an AAPG Delegate, including a year as Foreman of the Houston delegation. He is a former Executive Director of HGS and has served on several GCAGS Convention committees. In 1998 Tom joined Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas as Vice President of Exploration for the Gulf Coast Region and served in that position until Louis Dreyfus was acquired by Dominion Resources in 2001. In 2002, Tom Joined Cheyenne Petroleum as Vice President, Gulf Coast, then moved in 2007 to Patriot Exploration as Vice President, Exploration. He has worked as a consultant since 2009. Tom has served as Skeet Shoot Chair numerous times since the first skeet shoot in 1982. His first year as chair was around 1989, but he can't remember how many years he has served. His best estimate is ten years as chair in the 28 years the event has been held, but Tom's getting old; his memory's not what it once was!
Bonnie Milne-Andrews	Distinguished Service Award	Bonnie Milne-Andrews has worked with the Houston Geological Society as a volunteer for over fifteen years. Through the years, she has volunteered with the International Explorationists, group, HGS Guest Night, HGS Technofest and was a co-organizer for Legends Night III. Bonnie served two years as a Director on the HGS Board under the presidencies of Steve Brachmann and Linda Sternbach. Currently, she is Chair of the HGS Directory Committee. She has also served numerous terms as a delegate to the Houston Chapter of the AAPG House of Delegates and as Foreman of the Houston Chapter. Bonnie focused on the study of carbonate rock depositional systems at the University of Iowa, where she received a Master of Science degree in geology in 1979. In 2000, she graduated from the Business Management program at Rice University. Bonnie’s professional career began with Amoco Production Company where she worked exploration and development in the Permian Basin, Arabian Basin, Senegal Basin, Sub-Andean Foldbelt, Siberian, Temir and Timan-Pechora Basins of the Former Soviet Union. Bonnie continued her international new ventures work with Swift Energy in 2004, where she worked projects in Australia and New Zealand. Following that, she managed the Geoscience exploration and development for Swift Energy’s Eagle Ford Shale Project at Swift Energy. In 2011, Bonnie joined the Hyperdynamics Corporation as Manager of Geological Operations, Deepwater Republic of Guinea. Upon the conclusion of that project, she joined Repsol Services USA and worked in North American Business Development. Bonnie joined Accumyn Consulting in late 2015 in the oil and gas practice area of Accumyn Consulting LLC, an independent, Houston-based consulting firm providing authoritative studies, strategic advisory services, and independent testimony for private and public sector industries, government agencies and law firms. She is also currently involved in a domestic U.S. startup project. Bonnie is a former recipient of the HGS President’s Award given in June 2009.
Dianna Phu	Distinguished Service Award	Dianna Phu – Social Media Chair for HGS Here is a list of the geo-related volunteer work I am currently or most recently involved with: • HGS Continuing Education Committee 9/2006-Present • HGS Website Committee 9/2006-Present • HGS Social Media Committee Chair 7/2010-Present • AAPG DPA Gulf Coast Section Councilor Alternate – 2013-2016 • AAPG DPA Website Committee Chair & Social Media Contributor – 2013-Present • Offshore Technology Conference Program Committee – Networking Subcommittee – 2014-Present (Vice-Chair 2015, Chair 2016) • GCAGS 2015 Houston Convention Secretary • GCAGS 2015 Houston Web Manager • GCAGS Publicity Committee – Social Media Chair (2014-Present) This past year, these have been my focus areas. The social media committee is like my baby – it was launched in July, 2010 and has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of our numbers of followers. Over time we are seeing increased interactions on the sites, which is hopefully translating into more interest in the Society in other ways. Last year’s GCAGS convention in Houston was a big haul, with the website design and social media coordination, but we have a great team and everyone worked together to make it happen. I’m currently involved with planning the networking events for OTC (it’s lights, cameras, action next week!) which has been a fun and involved process! I’m also coordinating for the Women in Geosciences breakfast at the 2016 GCAGS Convention in Corpus Christi and coordinating on behalf of the DPA for the Ethics talk that will be presented at the convention.
Robert Pledger	Distinguished Service Award	Over my career of almost 50 years, I have appreciated the people who have mentored me and as an active member of the HGS, have tried to give back be mentoring and volunteering my time and talent to others. Since coming to Houston in 1976, I have been active in the Houston Geological Society, as a Director, Vice-President, Chairman and member of the Continuing Education Committee since 1988, judge for the Imperial Barrel Competition, and docent at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I enjoy volunteering for field trips and short courses and am active in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists as a volunteer on numerous committees. Most recently I have been a guest speaker at Geoscience Day, sponsored by the HGS and GSH; was a field trip leader to Spindletop Field in 2014 with the AAPG, and guest speaker at several AAPG sponsored seminars. I am currently a geological consultant engaged in prospect generation and evaluation, as well as President of Ashford Oil & Gas Company, LLC. I am formerly President of Benchmark Oil & Gas AB, a public Swedish Company and member of their Board of Directors. I have a wide range of areas of experience include the Gulf Coast, Alaska, West Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and California as well as numerous countries internationally. I have an undergraduate degree from Lamar University in Geology and a Master’s Degree in Business/Finance from the University of Dallas. I am a certified geologist by the AAPG, the AIPG and the SIPES and a Registered Professional Geoscientist with the State of Texas. I am a member of the Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Department of Space and Earth Sciences at Lamar University.
Sharie Sartain	Distinguished Service Award	Sharie Sartain joined HGS as an Active Member in 1983. She served as a Director on the HGS Executive Board from 1999-2001, and as Secretary during 2001-2002. During that time, she also acted as the Society's Volunteer Coordinator. After leaving the Executive Board, she chaired the Awards Committee for 3 years. Since 2009 Sharie has been Chairman of the Membership Committee, which reviews all new HGS Membership applications and Emeritus status requests, then makes approval recommendations to the Executive Board on a monthly basis. Sharie previously received a Houston Geological Society President's Award in 2010 and the HGS Chairman's Award in 2015. She has been representing the HGS as a Delegate to the AAPG House of Delegates since 1997. During 2008-2009 she was the elected Foreman for the Houston area AAPG HoD delegation, and has served on several standing and ad hoc committees for the HoD. Sharie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Akron and a Master of Science degree in Geology from Kent State University. She began her career with Phillips Petroleum in Houston in 1981, where she worked on Gulf of Mexico Shelf & Deepwater, Permian Basin and Regional Studies exploration projects. In 2002 she became a consultant for Knowledge Reservoir, completing exploration and development projects in numerous domestic and international basins. Since 2014 she has been working as a consultant for Focus Exploration, developing prospects in the Gulf of Mexico Shelf and Deepwater areas. Sharie and her husband Bob have two college-aged children. Over the years, she has made many geology presentations in their schools, and has volunteered with PTO's, bands, and art departments. She was a Girl Scout leader for 12 years, including "cookie mom" duties and as a sailing program volunteer at Camp Case Mare in Seabrook. She was a Boy Scout volunteer for 7 years, went camping with the Scouts many times and was the adult Treasurer for her son's Boy Scout Troop. She has mentored foreign exchange students and their host families since 2011. Since Sharie became an empty-nester, she picked up her alto saxophone again, and joined the Houston Concert Band. The Band rehearses weekly and plays ten-to-twelve concerts in the community during the year, including the annual Uptown Lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving Day, Zoo Lights, multiple holiday concerts, the Fourth of July, and a Father's Day concert.
Thom Tucker	Distinguished Service Award	The HGS Continuing Education committee, for which Thom is currently serving as Chair, has encountered significant challenges during the last 18 months, in parallel with those encountered by our members, our profession and the petroleum industry! The tumult caused by lay-offs and company reorganizations left us with none of the previous corporate-sponsored venues for short-courses, at a time when some geologists – especially those of the “Great Shift Change” - were looking for guidance and skills. When it became apparent in December 2015 that a course for guidance for those looking to stay in the industry could not take place in a timely manner, current and former Continuing Ed. members drew in an outside expert and co-authored two 7 and 8 page articles, which have been published on the HGS website as “Getting Started as a Self Employed Geoscientist – Consultant” and “Free, Low-Cost, and Open Access Data and Software for Petroleum Exploration and Production” and promulgated through Social Media. We then contacted more than 20 potential companies and other entities searching for sponsored or low-cost locations. The outcome has been 2 short-courses and a Symposium, within 2 months, in 2 new-to-us locations! Thanks in this effort are due to Cheryl Desforges, Robert Pledger, Bryan Flynn, Dianna Phu, Donna Davis, Annie Walker and Susan Nash (AAPG). Special recognition and our deep appreciation goes to the HGS Bulletin editors Dave Miller and Jon Blickwede for their support and compassion. Thom’s involvement with the HGS Continuing Education committee began when he attended their January 1995 monthly meeting, and his friend, occasional co-worker and chair Frank Huber was looking for someone to publish and get the Notebooks printed and delivered to the venues. They agreed on a printer, as it turned out, and Thom has been executing that role ever since. Perceiving these Continuing Education and Notebooks functions as applicable to the entire society, the Committee have coordinated and executed short-courses at GCAGS and AAPG conventions, and the 2014 HGS-PESGB Africa Conference, with current plans for the 2016 Africa conference. Thom brought these ‘event skills’ to the International Exploration Symposium 2000: "International Business of Exploration", for which he served as General Co-Chair, and produced the Notebooks. Since the late 2000’s he has ensured the printing and delivery of programs for the HGS-PESGB Africa Conference bi-annual occurrence in Houston. Along the way, Thom organized the effort for an HGS booth at the 2010 Annual Scout Fair with Jennifer Burton, celebrating the 100th year of Scouting in the United States – managing to engage additional contributors from both the Geophysical Society of Houston and the GCS-Society of Petroleum Engineers! Since 2010, he has served as Host and M.C. for the lecture portion of the annual “GSH-HGS Geoscience Day” in September to which, incidentally, Art Berman and Robert Pledger have been consistent presenters. Thom started contributing to HGS when, in 1989, the International Explorationists group which he attended regularly, needed someone to help at the check-in / registration table. He subsequently handled the Arrangements for that meeting 1990 – 92. When chair Pinar Yilmaz was stepping down, she asked Thom to serve, admitting that everyone else had declined. And thus was born perhaps the first Co-Chairmanship in HGS, where Thom handled the HGS and administrative issues and Lyle Baie obtained the speakers, 1992-94. In 1994, HGS President Clint Moore asked Thom to form an Emerging Technologies Committee; they decided to bring topics, speakers and poster sessions to the regularly scheduled meetings, rather than start a new monthly meeting. Thom received the HGS President’s Award in 2006. Thom has provided leadership in community and professional organizations since his freshman year of college.
John Jordan	President's Award	“John Jordan has clearly risen above his role as President-Elect. Early in the year he got involved in hotel negotiations for the Africa Conference, allowing for “early out” options along the way in the planning process. This helped not only from the perspective in being able to judge the registrations along the way during the onset of the latest oil downturn, but saved the HGS thousands of dollars in a year in which there was a projected $250K loss to the Organization. He did this again when it came to the Mudrocks Conference by getting Anadarko to allow the HGS to use its venue rather than negotiate with any hotels. This alone saved the HGS tens of thousands of dollars, and allowed the Conference to make a modest profit instead of a huge loss. This all in light of recently becoming one of the newly minted “independents” in the community.”
Larry Quandt	President's Award	“Larry Quandt too has risen well above his job as HGS Treasurer this year. He has expertly kept the Board informed at every financial turn during our year, but on top of that volunteered to resurrect the Shrimp Peel. The HGS Board was looking for ways to allow our membership networking opportunities, and Larry - pretty much by himself – organized the Shrimp Peel at the Sam Houston Race Park. The Board decided to keep costs down to break-even or even a little loss, but in doing so, had a very successful event. In addition, Larry has been working diligently on getting appropriate candidates for the Big Bend internship with the Park Rangers. I really commend Larry for his willingness to put in the additional volunteer hours it has taken to accomplish these two tasks.”
Rich Germano	Rising Star Award	Rich began his career as a petroleum geoscientist with Chevron, USA conducting development well programs, field and regional studies in the guts of the Mississippi Delta's Shelf deposits, and broadened his exploration experience through stints with Superior Oil (now ExxonMobil), and Wainoco Oil. The 80's oil price shock prompted one of many career adjustments which resulted in employment by Petroleum Information (now IHS) managing, enhancing, developing and marketing computerized geological databases, global interpreted exploration studies, associated digital data and upstream software applications. This ultimately lead to progressively more encompassing, full time sales roles with PI, Energy Graphics, Inc., Elsevier Inc., and TerraSpark Geosciences (now CGG). In 2004 Rich created Fast Energy Data, LLC to provide subscription based, detailed activity maps for the Gulf of Mexico and South Louisiana as well as associated GIS data and services. In 2015, original HGS Vendor Corner chairman and longtime colleague Paul Babcock approached Rich about taking the reins as Paul was looking to reduce his involvement. After some “subtle cajoling,” Rich finally agreed. Rich’s role as Chairperson for the HGS Vendor Corner has enabled him to apply his extensive sales and marketing experience to the program. By instituting a new “4-Corners” program and periodic “themed-specials,” participation in the program has risen steadily, despite the hostile economic conditions in the industry. Regular e-mail messages and reminders are sent to an ever growing database of vendor corner candidates to inform them of the latest talks and sponsorships available. Vendors have responded generously, resulting in a number of “Sold-out” Vendor Corners this year, new VC sponsorships at luncheon meetings and the HGS Environmental & Engineering dinner, abundant door-prize raffles, repeat sponsorships, and even pre-commitments for the 2016-17 business year.
Firas Jarrah	Rising Star Award	Firas Aljarrah is a geophysicist with 6 years of working experience in reservoir characterization and integrated projects. Firas is currently a Technical applications manager at Lumina Technology. after graduating from the University of Houston with M.S in Geophysics in 2009, Firas has been working with Dr. John Castanga at Lumina since then. Firas has been a member of AAPG,HGS, SEG, and GSH since 2008. Firas Volunteered many times at HGS events and he was part of leading geology field trips with Houston Geological Society in 2008 and 2009. was born and raised in Damascus city. After graduating from Damascus University with a BS Degree in Geophysics, he came to Houston to achieve his dream to study and work in Oil industry.
Ian McGlynn	Rising Star Award	Ian McGlynn is a petrophysicist and Subject Matter Expect (SME) in mineralogy at Baker Hughes. His research interests include siliciclastic petrogenesis synthesis of sediment compositions to evaluate the conditions under which a sedimentary rock was deposited, altered, and post-depositional diagenetic processes. He is currently involved in pulsed-neutron induced gamma ray spectroscopy development and applications in addition to various laboratory analytical geochemistry and formation evaluation techniques including XRD, XRF, thin section petrography, and core analysis. He received a MS from the University of Virginia and a PhD in Geology from the University of Tennessee. In addition to being Co-chair of the HGS Northsiders Committee, Ian is active in the HGS Mudrocks Committee, and a member of AGU, GSA, SEPM, and MSA. The HGS Northsider’s Committee has been incredibly successful with the generous support from Southwestern Energy, in addition to the incredible efforts of Cheryl Desforges, Sydney Weitkunat, Nicole Arres, Mike Garrigan, and many others.
Sydney Weitkunat	Rising Star Award	The Houston Geological Society Northsiders’ has been revived this year with a new venue and buffet-style catering provided by Southwestern Energy. Our committee sought to provide encore presentations of talks given at the general meeting to make it easier for those who reside on the North side of Houston to enjoy. We’ve had a great turnout every month, averaging around 40 pre-registered guests. When layoffs happened in the first quarter of 2016, our committee felt the loss as well, but was swiftly and rather seamlessly re-organized with new members. It takes a large crew to make the meetings go so smoothly every month, and I am very honored and proud to be a part of the team.
Christina Calvin	Chairman's Award	It is with sincere pleasure to nominate Christina Calvin for the Houston Geological Society Chairman’s Award for her multiple years of contributions and organization support of the HGS Mudrocks Applied Geoscience Conference event. These roles have included that of Technical Session Chairing, and contributions in speaker development of multiple sessions. Christina “Tina” is passionate professional contributor within our HGS Applied Geoscience Committee. Her outstanding positive and passionate vision for the science of geology, that includes the microbial world is so motivating for our greater HGS AGC organizing committee. She is currently a Session Co-Chair for a new session of the 2017 AGC event involving microbial components important to unconventional target characterization Tina’s developed passion, as well as fellow committee member, Gretchen Gillis, includes the identification and recruitment of outstanding female geoscientists within both the oral and poster technical programs. Assuring a fair and balanced program of outstanding researchers helps the HGS to further develop the event’s technical program success. Her representation on our committee has been truly as a professional geoscientist that contributes her valuable skills and efforts to the greater good of the profession. The committee has truly been fortunate to have her contributions within the organizing committee. A sincere thanks and appreciation for her multiple efforts for the HGS is well deserved
Wayne Camp	Chairman's Award	Wayne Camp is nominated for the Houston Geological Society Chairman’s Award for his many years of continuous contributions and organization support of the HGS Mudrocks Applied Geoscience Conference event. These roles include Technical Session Chairing and as a critical member of the Event Venue sub-committee. Wayne, as well as John Jordan (HGS 2016-17 President Elect) was instrumental in obtaining the corporate venue host (Anadarko Petroleum) for the 2016 AGC Event. His orchestration of the event with Anadarko representatives provided a superb venue for the attendees. Wayne’s contribution roles also include the recruitment and development of key talks and core materials for this annual HGS event. Wayne is an active contributor to the local HGS, as well as to the national AAPG organization. Recently he contributed as a joint editor of the AAPG memoir - M102 -Electron Microscopy of Shale Hydrocarbon Reservoirs, a significant compilation of the characterization of mudrock reservoirs. He continues to be an important technical advisor for the society and represents the ideals of a very dedicated professional society volunteer and contributor. Wayne continues to be an important Houston Geological Society contributor. His representation is truly of a professional geoscientist that contributes his valuable skills and efforts to the greater good of the profession. Sincere appreciation for his multiple efforts is well deserved.
James H. "Joe" MacQuaker	Chairman's Award	It is with great pleasure to nominate James H. “Joe” MacQuaker for the Houston Geological Society Chairman’s Award for his many years of continuous contributions and organization support of the HGS Mudrocks Applied Geoscience Conference event. These roles include Event Key Note speaking, Technical Session Chairing and as a critical member in recruiting outstanding international university research speakers for the event. Joe is very well known within the technical mudrock characterization field as an outstanding researcher, author, and presenter of fundamental characterization insights of mudrocks. Joe exhibits such an exuberant and passionate understanding of mudrock characterization that is truly catching and so motivating for our committee membership of our large HGS Mudrocks committee. As a multiple event speaker of our HGS AGC event, Joe has also captivated our attendees with his critical observations and insights. He continues to be a top researcher within this important field, and having him on the organizing committee is critical for the development of a top level technical program. Due to our often limited HGS budget for hosting AGC speakers from out of town / country, I had the opportunity to host Joe at my home in the past in order to decrease our HGS AGC Event costs. Joe has done the same with the outstanding international speakers that are now part of our annual technical program. His representation is truly of a professional geoscientist of international standing that contributes his valuable skills and efforts to the greater good of the profession. Sincere appreciation for his multiple efforts is well deserved.
Thomas Reed	Chairman's Award	Thomas Reed is nominated for the Houston Geological Society Chairman’s Award for his tireless efforts for sponsorship efforts on behalf of the AGC Event / HGS Society – as well as multiple roles including Sponsor Sub-committee Chair, Technical Program Session Chair, Poster Sub- committee Member, and Event Survey Sub-committee Chair. He has been a true performer for the society and represents the ideals of a professional society volunteer and contributor. Thomas’s ability to provide his conscientious and sincere support efforts to assist the greater Houston Geological Society membership in developing a premiere technical conference event for their membership is greatly appreciated. His passion in the field of geosciences (including advanced geophysical analysis) and project management, continues to be a great addition to the committee team. The Houston Geological Society is especially fortunate to have Thomas Reed as an important HGS volunteer that has such a capacity to contribute to the greater benefit of its membership.
Justin Vandenbrink	Chairman's Award	Justin Vandenbrink is currently a Director on the HGS Board for the 2015-2016 term. He has been involved with the HGS since being transferred from Calgary to Houston in 2008 to work as a Geologist. Justin has held various volunteer assignments during his time with the HGS including Chair of International Explorationists Group, Committee member for the Africa conference and Vice President of the HGS. In addition to his work with the HGS, Justin has expanded his volunteering to the AAPG House of Delegates where he is the current Foreman. His role keeps both societys working together to benefit Geology in Texas. Justin looks forward to continuing volunteering his time when and where the HGS needs it.
Bruce Woodhouse	Chairman's Award	Bruce Woodhouse is nominated for the Houston Geological Society Chairman’s Award for his tireless efforts of eight plus years of continuous contributions and organization support of the HGS Mudrocks Applied Geoscience Conference event often within critical fundamental background roles. These roles include multiple years as the Core Session Chair, which comprises one third of the technical program of oral sessions, poster sessions and core sessions. He continues to be a true performer for the society and represents the ideals of a very dedicated professional society volunteer and contributor. Bruce, with his added hydrologist background, has been the committee’s environmental /hydrology expert continuously contributing in so many ways including technical program selection and engagement of speakers, and solicitation of cores for the outstanding core program. He has been the Core Program Session Chair, the event photographer, as well as the HGS AGC Security lead for five plus years. In addition he has volunteered in many additional components of the event through the years and has performed flawlessly for the greater membership. Bruce has always been so gracious in not needing formal recognition for his service through all of these years. It is unfortunate that he has not been more formally recognized and appreciated for his important contributions! Bruce represents the backbone of one of our committees and should be appreciated for those commitments. Sincere appreciation for his multiple efforts is well overdue.

2016 Corporate Star Awards

Company	Level
	Platinum
	Gold
	Gold

	Gold

	Silver
	Silver
	Silver

	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
CSL Energy	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Silver
	Bronze
Auburn Energy	Bronze

2016 In Kind Sponsorship

Company	In kind Sponsorship
	Northsiders' Lunch Meeting Venue
	Conducting 3 Log Analysis short Courses
	Provided venue for Log Analysis Course
	Free Training Classes to Unemployed HGS Members
	Mudrock's Conference Venue
	Mudrock's Program Printing
	Mudrock's Speaker Awards
	HGS Continuing Education Short Course Venue