The Board of Directors and the Government and Public Affairs Committee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) are proud to introduce Kevin Ashley, P.E. as the recipient of the 2015-2016 SME Congressional Fellowship. Ashley will spend one year in Washington, D.C., working as a mining resource adviser on the staff of a member of Congress or congressional committee. He is a mining engineer and has been a member of SME for 40 years. His duties will involve conducting legislative research and oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, and preparing briefs and writing speeches. The Fellowship term runs from September 2015 to August 2016.

“Kevin is an excellent candidate for the SME Congressional Fellowship,” stated 2014 SME President John O. Marsden. “His broad and extensive experience across our industry, together with his knowledge of mining-related political and social issues worldwide, make him eminently qualified to be the 2015-2016 SME Congressional Fellow.”

When informed of being selected, Ashley stated, “At a time when much misinformation is available on the Internet, upon which questionable decisions may be made, it is important that clear explanations of the realities of the mining industry be available to those with the power to act. I believe my knowledge will be very useful to our legislators in their discussions concerning the mining industry.”

The assignment will provide Ashley a unique opportunity to be an industry-specific resource, to gain first-hand experience with the federal legislative process, and to apply his scientific and technical knowledge to US public policy issues as they relate to the environment and natural resources. For more information on the SME Congressional Fellowship program, visit www.smenet.org/gpac/