American Exploration & Mining Association Selects New Executive Director

Spokane, WA – The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) has selected Mark Compton as the Association’s new Executive Director, succeeding Laura Skaer who is retiring March 31, 2019, after serving as Executive Director for more than 22 years. Compton is rejoining AEMA after serving six years as the Utah Mining Association’s (UMA) President. As Executive Director, he will lead the Association’s staff and advocacy efforts for the exploration and mining industry. He will be introduced to the membership next week at AEMA’s 124th Annual Meeting and will join the Association on January 28, 2019.

“After a robust national search, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Compton as Executive Director of the American Exploration & Mining Association,” said Bob Comer, President of AEMA. “Mark is a stalwart supporter of the mining industry and the Board of Trustees has great confidence in Mark’s ability to support the industry and lead AEMA into the future.”

“Mark has some big shoes to fill, following Laura’s twenty-two-year tenure here, but we are confident he is up to the task,” said Steve Alfers, incoming President of AEMA. Both Comer and Alfers expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Laura for building AEMA into a premier national mining association.

With a quarter-century of experience working in government affairs, Compton possesses considerable experience advocating for natural resource industries. Prior to his tenure at UMA, he worked as AEMA’s Government Affairs Manager. Mark’s knowledge of the West’s natural resources extends beyond the minerals industry, however. He has served as a member of Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s gubernatorial and congressional staffs, where he handled issues focusing on natural resources and economic development. Mark made his debut into government affairs by representing the timber industry after working as a forester in the Inland Northwest. Throughout his career he has demonstrated a palpable passion for natural resource industries in the West and looks to bring that passion and experience to AEMA.

“I am humbled and excited to be joining the AEMA team,” Compton said. “Having served AEMA’s members previously in my career, I’m familiar with the Association. It is a strong and effective organization, and I’m eager to work with the Board of Trustees, the staff and the membership to take AEMA to the next level in terms of advocacy, enhancing the industry’s social license to operate, and contributing to our members’ success.”

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About AEMA:

Founded 123 years ago, AEMA is headquartered in Spokane, WA. It is a 2,000-member national association representing the minerals industry with members residing in 42 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces, and 10 other countries. AEMA’s 124th Annual Meeting begins Monday December 3, 2019 at the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane, WA.