Honors and Awards Program The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) has a history of effective and outstanding service to the profession of geology. From
its beginning in 1963, the Institute has emphasized the role that professional geologists play in this fascinating, changing, and highly complex world in which we live.
In an Institute such as this, there are so many highly motivated geologists contributing to the profession, the Institute, the public, and the nations
in which we live and work that the identification of a select few for particular awards is a monumental task. The continued success of the Honors and Awards Program is dependent on an accessible nominating process and a diligent screening of those nominated. This is done by the Honors and Awards Committee.
Currently, there are six honors bestowed by the Institute: Ben H. Parker Memorial Medal, Martin Van Couvering Memorial Award, John T. Galey,
Sr., Memorial Public Service Award, Award of Honorary Membership, Outstanding Achievement Award, and Presidential Certificate of Merit. Descriptions of the awards, past recipients, and the nomination forms can be found on the AIPG National website or contact the AIPG National
Headquarters office.
Ben H. Parker Memorial Medal
Early in his career, Stephen worked for several consulting firms includ- ing Frankian and Associates, Bechtel, Converse Consultants, Ecology & Environment, Dames and Moore, and Engineering Enterprises. With an engineering geology emphasis, he was involved in nuclear power plants, hydro- electric power plants, petrochemical plants, tunnels, oil and gas fields, and numerous geohazards-related activities. By the mid-1980s, Stephen became more involved in environmental geologic stud- ies and investigations.
Stephen M. Testa, CPG-6464
Stephen M. Testa is a consulting envi- ronmental geologist and CEO of Testa Environmental Corporation, which he founded in 1993. From 2005-2016, Stephen served the public in the posi- tion of Executive Officer of the California State Mining and Geology Board, the oldest geoscience board in the country, whose mission is to serve the public’s interest in mining law and geohazards issues.
Stephen was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on July 17, 1951. At age 13, Stephen’s family moved to southern California, where Stephen attended public schools. He received his BS (1976) and MS (1978) degrees in Geology at California State University at Northridge, with an emphasis in geo- chemistry and igneous petrology.
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Jul.Aug.Sep 2017
In 1990, Stephen founded Applied Environmental Services (AES), an inter- nationally recognized enterprise provid- ing strong and innovative expertise in soil and groundwater restoration, and recycling and reuse technologies. Testa’s clients have included industrial and energy companies, municipalities and irrigation districts, and numerous legal firms along with the California State Attorney’s office providing technical assistance and expert testimony. During the 1990s several innovative books were authored to assist the young profes- sional in applying geological knowledge to environmental problems including: Restoration of Petroleum-Contaminated Aquifers (coauthored,1991), Geological Aspects of Hazardous Waste Management (1993) andThe Reuse and Recycling of Contaminated Soils (1997).
His desire to perform public service originated through relationships formed at AIPG and exemplified by the public service careers of certain AIPG Members, notably, former State Geologists M. Lee Allison, Bill Fisher, Charlie Mankin, Robert Jordan, John Parrish, Jon Price,
and notably Larry Woodfork, among others.
In addition to serving as an instructor at the University of Southern California and California State University at Fullerton, Stephen has an exemplary record of long-term service to the geo- logic profession as Past-President of AIPG, AGI, Los Angeles Basin Geological Society, and AAPG-EMD, and is the cur- rent President of AAPG-DEG. His lead- ership and work ethics have earned him the AIPG’s Martin Van Couvering Award and Honorary Membership, AAPG-DEG’s Research and Public Outreach Awards, the Thomas W. Dibblee Jr. Honorary Map for the North Chalone Peak Quadrangle, California, and the Roy Shlemon Geology Mentor Honorarium for excellence in application of applied earth science.
The author of numerous books and
articles, “One Man’s Planet: Earth in Today’s Political Culture” published by AGI, goes a long way in defining how Stephen views the world we live in and the significant role the geosciences play in our everyday lives. His wife Lydia has been his partner in business and in life. As a writer, speaker, public servant, scientist, historian, teacher, and distin- guished leader, this award is being given.
Response
In receiving the Ben H. Parker Memorial Medal, I am truly humbled and gratified. My heartfelt appreciation in receiving this recognition in the midst of all those who have come before me cannot be adequately expressed. The path I have taken over the years, as with all of you, has its own peculiar quirks, turns, and
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AIPG 2017
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