Message from the Chair of the PPDM Board of Directors Date: July 14, 2026 Dear PPDM Members and Stakeholders, On behalf of the PPDM Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi-Lynne Balasch as Chief Executive Officer of PPDM, effective August 4, 2026. At the same time, after more than 30 years of service to PPDM™, including 23 years of exceptional leadership, Trudy Curtis will assume the role of Director Emeritus, Strategy and Community Engagement.
With support from the Government of Alberta, PPDM’s “Unlocking Data Careers” initiative is helping people better understand and prepare for data-centric careers in Alberta’s digital economy. The program focuses on practical data literacy, transferable skills, workforce transition, and the growing importance of trusted data across industries. This pilot project will help PPDM™ assess the need for such programs in other regions.
We are very pleased to announce that Blaine Horner is leading this important initiative, bringing valuable experience, insight, and leadership to the program as it continues to grow and support workforce development.
Blaine’s Bio: Blaine Horner is a Calgary-based program and operations professional with more than a decade of experience designing and running complex membership programs. He spent eight years with SPE International, one of the world's largest engineering membership organizations, progressing from section coordination to overseeing membership delivery, retention, and volunteer operations across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and North America, including a two-year posting in London. He has also led operations for a national accelerator program placing mid-career energy professionals on cross-functional teams to develop new enterprises addressing problems that conventional oil and gas organizations face daily.
He builds operational infrastructure that runs reliably without relying on any one person to keep it running. His work spans program design, workflow automation, documentation, and stakeholder management across distributed teams.
He currently serves as a consultant to PPDM Association, where he is leading delivery of the Unlocking Data Careers program, a Government of Alberta-funded workforce development initiative. He is pursuing the Certified Association Executive designation through the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
The PPDM Houston Energy Data Convention brought together energy data professionals, operators, regulators, technology providers, and industry leaders for a day on training and two days of discussion focused on trusted data, governance, analytics, AI, interoperability, and the future of data-centric operations in the energy sector.
Attendees particularly enjoyed the strong emphasis on panel discussions, which created lively, practical conversations and allowed participants to hear multiple perspectives from experienced industry leaders. In addition to training and panel discussions, the event featured technical sessions and valuable networking opportunities.
PPDM extends sincere thanks to the convention sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, and participants whose support and engagement helped make the event a success.
The Perth Leadership Team is seeking speaker abstracts for our upcoming hybrid full-day workshop.
This year’s Asia Pacific Energy Data Workshop is hosted by the Australian branch of the PPDM Association in Perth, Western Australia.
This years theme is: Knowledge-Driven Efficiency in the Energy Transition.
Share your expertise, insights, innovations, and industry experience with professionals across the region.
Abstract Submission Deadline: July 06
We welcome submissions from industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators passionate about advancing the conversation in energy data and technology.
This summer, PPDM is running a free five-day data literacy and career readiness program in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, supported by a Government of Alberta grant.
Unlocking Data Careers (UDC) is built for unemployed and underemployed Albertans: career changers, newcomers, recent graduates, people doing data work without a title that reflects it. Participants work through the PPDM competency framework and finish with a clear read on where their skills fit in Alberta's data job market.
The program is structured as a pilot. As such, it aligns with the 2022-2027 strategic plan's focus on expanding PPDM's reach and developing the next generation of data professionals across the energy sector. The intent is to learn what works, then build from there. We're targeting 800 Albertans this year. That requires the network.
If you know someone who could benefit, please share this. A displaced colleague, a family member in transition, someone early in their career. And if you want to get involved as a speaker, employer partner, or volunteer, reach out. Blaine Horner | hornerb@ppdm.org
Over many years, PPDM members have developed an enormous body of technical and professional knowledge related to energy data management. This includes standards, reference lists, data rules, data models, semantic standards, identification standards, training materials, guidance documents, competency frameworks, industry discussions, and practical implementation experience contributed by experts from around the world.
One message from members has become increasingly clear: while this vast compendium of PPDM™ knowledge is extremely valuable, it can sometimes be difficult to find, navigate, and fully leverage across such a diverse body of material. Accessibility and usability have become the number one request from our community.
PPDM is actively working to address this challenge through improved knowledge organization, modern delivery approaches, and the development of Thoth — an emerging AI-enabled interface intended to help members more easily discover, understand, connect, and apply the collective knowledge of the PPDM community.
National Energy Talk From Houston, TX - April 29th, 2026 PPDM Annual Convention with Mark A. Stansberry, Host of National Energy Talk and featured guests: Trudy Curtis & Greg Foley of PPDM, Jon Brewton & Jeff Dalgliesh of Data², and Gordon Klundt of In Focus Data. ppdm.org Facebook: National Energy Talk
Listen on Apple Podcasts
After many years of dedicated service to PPDM, Margaret Barron will be stepping away from her role leading and shaping programs that support Data Skills and Disciplines as the lead of PPDM™’s Professional Development pillar.
Since joining PPDM™ in 2009, Margaret has made a profound and lasting contribution to our organization and community. Her dedicated work has helped position PPDM™ as a trusted leader in advancing data competency across the energy sector and beyond.
Margaret spearheaded the development of the Certified Petroleum Data Analyst (CPDATM) credential, establishing a globally recognized standard for data professionals in our industry. She guided the development of competency building learning programs, a data centric competency framework, and numerous career support materials. With Margaret’s leadership, PPDM™ professional development programs have grown in strength, relevance, and reach—supporting individuals and organizations in building critical data capabilities.
Margaret’s commitment to quality, professionalism, and community has left a strong foundation that will continue to support our work moving forward. On behalf of the PPDM™ Board of Directors, myself and the entire PPDM community, I extend my sincere gratitude to Margaret for her dedication, leadership, care and humanity she brought to this important work. We wish her every success in her next chapter.
As we look ahead, the need for strong data skills and capable data professionals continues to grow. PPDM remains deeply committed to advancing professional development, expanding learning opportunities, and supporting the evolving needs of our community. We will continue to build on this foundation with a focus on innovation, accessibility, and global relevance.
Thank you to our members, partners, and volunteers for your continued support as we move forward together.
Join global leaders, innovators, and data professionals at the premier event shaping the future of energy data. This flagship convention dives into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in data management - essential for driving sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
Experience powerful keynotes, interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and a cutting-edge exhibitor showcase - all designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and actionable insights.
The PPDM “What Is Seismic?” Committees completed its year long collaborative project. Content is now live on our website.
We invite our members to review the materials and share your feedback, suggestions, and ideas for additional topics or graphics.
Your insight is invaluable as we continue to strengthen and expand this resource for the community. Thank you in advance for helping us ensure this content is clear, accurate, and meaningful for data professionals across the industry.
Send us your feedback to projects@ppdm.org