AAPG EXPLORER Fossil Freeway from page 52 called “Dancing to the Fossil Record,” a show that opened at the California Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences in San Francisco. Join Together With the Band For his part, Johnson, who has a master’s degree in geology and paleobotany from the University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania and a doctorate in geology and paleobotany from Yale University, seems genuinely pleased – both with the book’s reach, its success and its recognition. “Both Ray and I are honored to receive the award,” Johnson said. When I ask Troll for a comment, he replied: “Looks like Dr. J has covered most <strong>of</strong> the bases nicely.” He does, however, point me to iTunes, where I could find his band. “Look for Ratfish Wranglers’ ‘Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway.’ Yes there’s a musical CD!” And the man who is featured on his site between two jars <strong>of</strong> lumpfish with the caption wishing everyone to “do a good deed for a spiny lumpsucker,” the man who runs a Soho Coho gallery in Ketchikan, situated in an old historic house <strong>of</strong> ill repute located on a salmon spawning stream, adds: “Everyone should be in a band regardless <strong>of</strong> talent or ambition.” Who wouldn’t want to take a trip with these guys? EXPLORER “ProTracks” is an ongoing feature <strong>of</strong> the EXPLORER, <strong>of</strong>fering news and information pertinent to getting started or getting better in your career. Jonathan Allen is Pacific Section lead <strong>of</strong> AAPG’s Young Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals Committee. PROTRACKS YPs Have a Switch Hit By DREW KREMAN, AAPG YP Mid-Continent Section Lead is the future <strong>of</strong> energy?” “What This was the question addressed by past AAPG president Scott Tinker in the film “Switch,” a documentary that he produced (and narrates) that intends to deliver a fair and balanced view <strong>of</strong> the practical realities <strong>of</strong> and upcoming innovations in energy production. At a recent screening in the Blue Room Theater on the corporate campus <strong>of</strong> Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City, approximately 70 young pr<strong>of</strong>essionals KREMAN (YPs) from multiple oil and gas companies in the area experienced his exploration <strong>of</strong> solutions to the world’s potential energy crisis. This screening was the culmination <strong>of</strong> planning that began at the fall 2012 Student Chapter Leadership Summit in Oklahoma City, when students from the University <strong>of</strong> Kansas AAPG student chapter presented their experiences in organizing a screening <strong>of</strong> “Switch.” After hearing the students’ workflow, the AAPG Mid-Continent YPs seized upon the idea <strong>of</strong> hosting a “Switch” screening for local YPs. Planning soon started – and after the venue was secured, the decision was made to hold the event March 7. The months <strong>of</strong> preparation and collaboration resulted in an event attended by YPs from Baker Hughes, Chesapeake Energy, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, Halliburton, Sandridge Energy and several other companies – and with so many companies represented, the screening served as not only an educational event, but also as a networking event. Collaboration The screening, while highly successful, would not have been possible without effective collaboration between the AAPG YP Mid-Continent Sub-Committee and the OKC Young Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in Energy (YPE) Committee – the YPE group does an excellent job sending out invitations to its events and tracking the RSVPs, skills that the YP Mid-Continent Sub-Committee utilized to promote the “Switch” screening. As a result, while this event was the first to be co-hosted by the two groups, it probably won’t be the last. Great attendance and several post-screening discussions were solid evidence <strong>of</strong> their successful teamwork. After the film, AAPG members Hank DeWitt and Tom Layman <strong>of</strong> Chesapeake Energy did a fantastic job fielding questions from the audience. Queries related to our energy independence, job security in the energy industry, sources <strong>of</strong> energy and the film itself demonstrated the enthusiasm YPs have for the energy business. The success <strong>of</strong> this “Switch” event follows on the success <strong>of</strong> screenings held by the Pacific Section and Canada Region YPs – and the YP Committee hopes to continue this trend by hosting screenings in the other Sections and Regions. * * * u For more information on how you can be a part <strong>of</strong> YP events in the Mid-Continent Section, email Drew Kreman at dkreman@gmail.com. u To learn more about YP events in your area and how you can get involved, visit the YP Committee page (aapg.org/ youngpros/) and contact your Region/ Section representative. u To host a screening <strong>of</strong> “Switch,” go to www.switchenergyproject.com to contact an Arcos Film representative. 62 MAY 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG (Editor’s note: Drew Kreman is a geologist with Chesapeake Energy, Oklahoma City, currently working the Barnett Shale in the Fort Worth Basin.)
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