During the MINEXCHANGE 2024 SME Annual Conference & Expo, the SME Board welcomed a new president-elect, two new directors, and a board intern. You’ve already read a lot about our new President Marc Herpfer so we thought we’d let you hear from our new directors. I asked each of them a few questions to get their thoughts on their path to the board, volunteering with the Society, and the future of mining.

During his three-year term as a director, Dr. Courtney Young will also serve as the board representative to the Industry Workforce Strategic Committee. Below Young outlines his path to becoming a director and offers some excellent advice on how to reach this level at SME.

Homyack: Please explain your SME path to the SME Board of Directors, i.e., past committee and chair positions:

Young: When I joined the faculty at Montana Tech (MT Tech), I had already been an SME member for over a decade. So, I immediately became a co-advisor to the SME Student Chapter and a member of two MPD Unit Committees. In short time, I began organizing and chairing sessions (which I continue to do today). Eventually, I became a unit committee chair and started organizing special symposia and conferences, which typically had proceedings as well. I then served on the MPD Executive Committee, a seven-year long haul likened to a game of patience; however, for me, it was extremely rewarding because everything was a joy to do. I was also named to a variety of committees, participating in at least one a year, including but not limited to SME Nominating Committee, SME Fellow, MPD Nominations, GPAC, Education Council, PhD and Career Grants, Education and Sustainability Task Force, and numerous award committees, some of which I chaired (Rahn Education, Mineral Industry Education, Douglas Gold Medal, and Richards). Helping students learn the value of SME, getting involved at the division level, serving on award committees to honor your fellow SME members, and participating on other committees (e.g., standing and strategic) are all wonderful ways to give back. Now, I have the distinct honor of serving on SME BOD and thereby giving back to the whole of SME.

Homyack: What are your goals as a member of the SME Board?

Young: I enjoy giving back and I don’t plan on stopping but now my constituent base is all SME members along with the industry and government entities that employ them. I will help be the conduit to bring forward their issues and address them as best as possible. With Executive Director and CEO Dave Kanagy retiring, I will be serving one year with him, one year in a transition, and one year with his replacement. Hence, a primary goal is to help make the transition go as smooth as possible. Furthermore, the times are changing quickly and SME needs to change accordingly. We will need to continue taking a critical view of SME so it can continue improving its services to remain the premiere society that it is. My biggest goal though is to find ways to help address the need for (1) producing critical materials domestically, (2) doing so in a sustainable and responsible way, and (3) training a workforce that can do that.

Homyack: What advice do you have for someone just joining SME or the mining industry?

Young: Because I am a professor, I do this all the time. My advice is simple and begins with a simple statement: “SME can and will help you with your career.” It starts with being a member and attending your first annual meeting ASAP. You will be like a deer looking into headlights. Because a lot happens in a short period of time, it will be wise to find a mentor. You should also get involved in Young Leaders. I was a member of the inaugural Young Leaders committee and it helped with my growth and maturation. A must-do though is to get your feet wet quickly by attending the unit committee meetings in your division of interest. It is here that you will learn technical session programming, make friends, and grow your professional network. In fact, this is something you should do your whole career. If you can, you should decide early on how involved you want to be. SME is member-driven but the members are predominantly volunteers, albeit there is some voluntelling too!

Homyack: What are your thoughts about the near-term future of SME and the mining industry?

Young: Although the mining Industry is at crossroads with anti-mining sentiment being at an all-time high, SME is a strong society. It is also getting stronger because the pendulum is swinging the other way with basically half of the Periodic Table of the Elements being named critical materials. Hence, my previous comments about my goals are paramount.

Homyack: Do you have anything else to add?

Young: Get involved. Be the doer, the mover, the shaker. Understand though that it can be a huge time commitment pending the road you travel. However, the journey is rewarding. Be patient. Be the one who people want to listen to. Listen to others and be informed. Make decisions accordingly and be ready to compromise.

During his three-year term as a director, Justin Anderson will also serve as the board representative to the SME Structure and Governance Committee. Below he succinctly outlines his path to becoming a board director and offers his thoughts on the positive effects of volunteering both personally and for the Society.

Homyack: Please explain your SME path to the SME Board of Directors, i.e., past committee and chair positions:

Anderson: I joined SME as a student. After college, I joined the Colorado Section and served on the board in many different roles over 11 years, including three years as chair. My first engagement with the national Society was when I joined the Young Leaders committee where I served as the chair in 2011. I have also served on the Finance Committee, Audit Committee, and Structure and Governance Committee (1 year as chair).

Homyack: What are your goals as a member of the SME Board?

Anderson: I want to give back to the Society. I have always enjoyed being part of the leadership team of all organizations in which I have been involved. I will help continue the growth trajectory of SME in an ever-changing world (particularly now with Dave Kanagy’s upcoming departure). I will bring the viewpoint of a younger member as well.

Homyack: What advice do you have for someone just joining SME or the mining industry?

Anderson: Get involved. Not just as a way to give back, but you personally get so much more out of anything if you are active.

Homyack: What are your thoughts about the near-term future of SME and the mining industry?

Anderson: I think the future for both is bright. SME has great membership and is in a strong financial position. I see continued growth for the Society, particularly internationally. I think the mining industry will go through a rebirth and rebranding, as the broader society understands how important mining/minerals are, particularly regarding the energy transition and the need for clean energy.

In the next edition of eNews we will hear from Board Intern, Nick Gow