KGS Director Named President of the AASG

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 16, 2010) — Jim Cobb, the Kentucky Geological Survey's (KGS) director and state geologist, became the president of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) during its recent 102nd annual meeting. Cobb had served as president-elect for the past year. As president, he will preside over the organization and set the agenda for its meetings and activities.

"It is an honor to be chosen by my colleagues across the U.S. to serve as the president of their professional organization," said Cobb, who has been state geologist and director of the KGS since October 1999. "This organization has worked on behalf of state surveys for over a century, promoting important policies and programs to benefit the states' resources, environment, and geologic hazard issues."

Cobb also recently served as editor of "Association of American State Geologists Centennial History: 1908–2008," a publication that provides the historical context for the association and the group of state geologists who have been instrumental in advancing both geology and public policies in the U.S.

The state geologists of the 50 states and Puerto Rico make up the membership of AASG, which was founded in 1908. The AASG produces fact sheets and interacts with federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations and Congress on geologic topics, including energy, environment, water, mapping and geologic hazards as part of their work to promote the science and practical application of geology and related earth sciences in the U. S. and its territories, commonwealths, and possessions. They serve as geologic information resources for their respective state governments, and some state surveys have regulatory responsibility over resources such as water, oil, and gas. The Kentucky Geological Survey has been in existence since 1854.

For more information about AASG and links to all of the state geological surveys, visit their website www.stategeologists.org.