Quarterly Board Meeting - 9:30 am - January 22, 2025

North Carolina Board for Licensing of Geologists Minutes 

January 22, 2025 

     Meeting Held Via Zoom 

The meeting, originally scheduled to be held at the NC State University Club was moved to a virtual meeting, due to the threat of winter weather. The virtual meeting was called to order at 9:33 am by Board Chair Richard Spruill. Dr. Spruill read the conflict-of-interest statement. Other Board members present included Emily Klein, Dennis LaPoint, Joan Smyth, Steve Stadelman and Dwain Veach. Executive Director Barbara Geiger, Assistant to the Executive Director Jenna Miller, and Phillip Reynolds, Assistant AG were also in attendance. 

Welcome and Introductions 

Dr. Spruill welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending. 

Approval of Minutes 

Following a brief review of the November 6, 2024 minutes, motion was made by Joan Smyth to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Steve Stadelman and carried. Emily Klein abstained from the vote. 

Financial Report 

Ms. Geiger presented the second quarter profit and loss statement and balance sheet. Motion was made by Dr. Stadelman to accept the financial report as presented. The motion was seconded by Dr. LaPoint and carried. Ms. Geiger mentioned the need for someone to fill the secretary-treasurer position and asked the board members to consider volunteering for the role. Dr. Stadelman expressed interest in taking on the position. 

Administrative Report 

Individual and Corporate Licensees Stats 

Ms. Miller reported that there are 1159 active individual licensees and 216 active corporate licenses. 

October Administration Stats 

Ms. Miller reported that during the October administration of the ASBOG® exam, there were 34 candidates who sat for Part 1 (FG) and 23 candidates who sat for Part 2 (PG). Nineteen candidates passed Part 1 (FG) and 11 candidates passed Part 2 (PG). Following the October administration, 19 new licenses have been issued. 

For the upcoming March exam, 34 people have registered, with 23 signed up for Part 1 (FG) and 11 for Part 2 (PG). 

Continuing Education Report & Audit of CE Approval of Committee Report 

Ms. Miller mentioned that the 2024-2025 CE audit was complete, having audited 69 random licensees, approximately 7% of the total licensees. She also discussed issues with PDH Express, an online CE vendor, and the need to review their courses for approval. The team agreed to review these specific applications. 

The two activities that were reviewed by the CE Committee were briefly discussed and 

recommended for approval. Motion was made by Dr. Stadelman and seconded by Dr. LaPoint to approve the report of the Continuing Education Committee as presented. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. 

Legal Report and Training 

Board Counsel Phillip Reynolds reviewed the Ethics and the State Government Ethics Act, NC GS § 138A. There was discussion regarding the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest. Mr. Reynolds clarified the rules regarding the inclusion of professional positions in a bio on a website, emphasizing that it's not an advertisement but a way to share one's background and experience. He also discussed the difference between having a conflict of interest and a legally impermissible bias, explaining that the latter involves making decisions based on personal knowledge that could influence the outcome. Dr. Spruill expressed concern about having specific knowledge that contradicts the information presented during a proceeding, and Mr. Reynolds reassured him that he could contact him to discuss his concerns. Mr. Reynolds explained recusal to the Board. Board members had a brief discussion regarding recusal. Mr. Reynolds reviewed the Board’s Code of Conduct, noting that it was the ultimate guiding principle for Board members and that they are bound by the ethical code. 

The Board discussed the importance of ethics in the geology profession, with a focus on the rules governing professional conduct. Mr. Reynolds emphasized the primary obligation of geologists to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. The group also discussed the use of AI, noting that it should not be relied upon for professional decisions. Dr. Spruill expressed a desire to emphasize the section on professional conduct on the Board website. He expressed appreciation for Mr. Reynolds’ discussion on the importance of ethics in their work as geologists. 

ASBOG® 

2025 Fall COE Workshop – April 10-11, 2025 – Roanoke, VA 

Following discussion of the COE Workshop in Roanoke, VA, motion was made by Dr. LaPoint that the Board send up to 4 members to the workshop. The motion was seconded by Ms. Smyth and carried unanimously. 

Old Business 

General Geologic Discussion 

Support of Students in NC University Geology Programs 

Dr. Spruill agreed to write a letter to NC University faculty regarding the importance of advising students of geology regarding the ASBOG® exam and licensure and to ask that a faculty member be named as a liaison to work directly with the Board. 

Pathway to License for Academic Geologists 

Discussion followed regarding licensure of academic geologists. Dr. Spruill proposed sending a letter to NC university geology departments requesting permission to visit faculty meetings and discuss the importance of licensure. Dr. LaPoint suggested a pathway for academic geologists to become licensed that would involve reviewing their courses' alignment with licensing requirements and providing a report rather than taking the exam. There were concerns raised about ensuring licensed academic geologists meet the same experience standards as other licensees and liability issues. The Board agreed to further discuss developing an academic licensure pathway, potentially looking at what other states have done. Ms. Geiger was asked to inquire of Deana Sneyd if the ASBOG® model law included anything about the issue. 

New Business 

March 19-21, 2025 GSA Southern Section Meeting – Harrisburg, VA 

Ms. Geiger was asked to inquire if the NC Board could share a booth at the GSA Meeting if any Board members attended. Motion was made by Dr. LaPoint, seconded by Ms. Smyth to fund representatives of the NC Board to attend the meeting. 

Elections 

The floor was opened for nominations for the position of secretary-treasurer. Dr. LaPoint nominated Dr. Stadelman to serve as secretary-treasurer. There were no other nominations. The floor was opened for nomination of a vice chair. Dr. Stadelman nominated Dr. LaPoint. There were no other nominations. Dr. Spruill called for the vote to approve Dr. Stadelman as treasurer and Dr. LaPoint as vice chair. All were in favor. 

Following discussion regarding publication of a newsletter, plans were made to publish a quarterly newsletter and potentially send out monthly brief communications to licensees. Staff will create a schedule and solicit input from board members for topics. The first quarterly newsletter will focus on continuing education requirements before the next renewal period. Future newsletters may highlight areas such as ethics case studies, rule explanations, and the state of licensure in other states. Staff will attempt to send out a brief newsletter by the end of January. 

Per NC GS § 143-318.11(6), without objection, the Board moved into closed session to review applications for license and to discuss confidential matters. 

Motion was made by Dr. Stadelman to resume the open session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Smyth and carried unanimously. Motion to approve action recommended for thirty-nine applications for exam, seven applications for comity and one appeal to take Part 2 (PG) of the exam after four failures, was made by Dr. LaPoint, seconded by Ms. Smyth and carried, with Dr. Spruill recusing himself from the appeal to take Part 2 (PG) of the ASBOG® exam after four failures, as the candidate is a former student. 

Dr. Spruill noted that at this time of the year he would recommend a cost-of-living adjustment for Upton Associates and asked that the matter be put on the agenda for the April meeting. 

There being no further business, without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 12:28 pm. 

Respectfully submitted: 

Steve Stadelman, Secretary/Treasurer