Page 13 - The Voice 2017

y first direct exposure to the IAGC was At ION, we recognize the significant value that a
in the mid-late 1990's, starting with strong association can bring to its membership
Mcommittee level efforts. In 1998 I was and chose to be a Governing Member as a result.
asked to join the Board, and have been engaged Recognizing that we do not have the size or
with IAGC activity ever since. The late 90's and breadth to take on the major issues by ourselves,
early 2000's were difficult times for the this level of membership provides an opportunity
Association and its member companies, much to shape and drive the agenda of the Association
like today. The agenda was focused mostly on and to focus the collective industry resources on
internal restructuring, including new leadership, the issues that are critical for our business. The
Board size, membership levels, dues, and bylaws, IAGC provides invaluable opportunity for us to
all of which were critically important to ensure collaborate with other member companies and
the viability of the Association, and set the industry partners on the issues that are affecting all
groundwork for the current organization. of us, and to pool our efforts to effect real and
necessary change, and to position us all for future
Looking forward, it has been particularly success.
rewarding for me to see the IAGC re-establish
itself as a solid and recognized advocacy voice
for its membership with a strong externally-
focused agenda. New leadership and staff have
reinvigorated the Association and its efforts, and
has brought real value to the membership, even
with the difficult market conditions that exist
today. The IAGC has managed to maintain and
advance its efforts in traditional areas
(operational best practices and HSE awareness
and improvement, etc.), but has really stepped
up in the regulatory and government engagement
arena. Shifting political views, ever increasing
regulatory requirements, negative public
opinion, dissemination of inaccurate
information, and eNGO activities have added
significant and costly mitigation requirements
to our operations and have threatened the
industry's abilities to reasonably obtain the
necessary permits to carry out seismic surveys.

The work of the IAGC has been effective and
productive in stemming this tide by raising
awareness with public outreach programs,
science-based information and education
materials and direct engagement with the
regulators, lawmakers, public, media and some
eNGO's. The IAGC has been recognized by SHAWN RICE
other major E&P trade associations for its
focused and effective efforts on operational and SVP, OPERATIONS
environmental regulatory process and reform,
and as a result has been able to harness the strength
and support of the broader E&P community with & ENGINEERING,
its advocacy efforts. Personally, I have enjoyed
working with the Association and like to think that ION
my efforts in some small way have helped mold the
Association into what it is today.

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