Almost everyone in the oil and gas industry is more or less familiar with SPE and its contributions to the industry. But many may not know that SPE has a parent organization: the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME).
AIME was established in 1871 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In 1904, AIME became one of the founding societies along with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE, later IEEE) to form the United Engineering Society. In 1912, the Iron and Steel Division was created, and in 1918, the American Institute of Metals joined AIME, and the new organization, while still AIME, was called the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers.
In 1922, the petroleum division of the AIME was formed. AIME continued to grow until 1956 when AIME officially became the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. During the 1950s, the petroleum membership of AIME grew rapidly, warranting the formation of SPE as the petroleum industry’s professional society in 1957 with a membership of approximately 12,500. In 1973, AIME started the process of decentralization and, as a result, SPE became a separately incorporated entity in 1985. Today, AIME is a federation of four not-for-profit professional societies: SPE (with more than 100,000 members); the Association of Iron and Steel Technology (15,000 members); the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (14,000 members); and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (12,000 members).
AIME operates under a foundation model, governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees, two appointed by each member society. An executive director manages its operation. The presidency of AIME rotates among its four member societies. Its mission is to support its member societies, through exercising fiscal responsibility, distributing funds, facilitating interaction with the larger scientific and engineering community, enhancing collaboration among the member societies, and honoring the legacy and traditions of AIME. AIME’s vision is to be a relevant and valued partner to its member societies. AIME’s principal activities include funding projects and programs through distributions and grant opportunities, providing forums to share best practices and facilitate collaboration among the engineering and scientific community, and presenting awards and scholarships that honor the AIME legacy and recognize outstanding members and promising students.
Specifically, AIME funds eight grant programs, offers five scholarships, grants 25 awards, including Honorary Membership, as well as participates in 14 joint engineering society award programs, including the Hoover Medal and Alfred E. Nobel Prize. AIME awards recognize members of the four societies for technical contributions, professional excellence and leadership, extraordinary and dedicated service to colleagues, and public service.
Today, AIME is viewed as a prestigious professional organization supporting the development of the next generation of engineers and scientists. It holds membership in the United Engineering Foundation, American Association of Engineering Societies, and Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives. Through these memberships, AIME provides the petroleum, steel, mining, and materials industries the visibility and opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange within the global engineering and scientific community.
AIME depends on individual members and staff of its constituent professional societies to achieve its mission. Through its governance structure, AIME will continue to be a relevant and valuable partner by fostering effective communication and goodwill among its member societies.
Behrooz Fattahi is an officer on the board of AIME and will be the 2014 AIME president. He works as the learning adviser for Aera Energy, an affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil. He was 2010 SPE president and also served on the board as director of the Western North America Region and vice president-finance.
Michele Lawrie-Munro is executive director of AIME. Her recent experience includes managing operations and leading multidisciplinary, collaborative efforts. She has used her management and marketing skills in the public and private sectors for telecommunications and professional services firms.