EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Change isn’t always easy but, in life, it’s often guaranteed. It’s how we navigate that change that matters most. In 2022, the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (HRI) went through several changes: my transition into the executive office, many new faces throughout the building taking on a variety of roles, and new and exciting events and initiatives that continue to fuel HRI’s mission of developing science-driven solutions™ to Gulf of Mexico problems.

In October, HRI Senior Executive Director, Dr. David Yoskowitz, was appointed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission as the new executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Upon his departure, I was happy to step into the interim senior executive director role and keep advancing our initiatives as seamlessly as possible.

Our research groups had an outstanding year, garnering accolades like being named a Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler for the Bringing Baffin Back initiative, working with both state and international cooperators to study ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico, and welcoming three new HRI Fellows to further our interdisciplinary research. Our Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation (CSSC) team was delighted to once again be featured in the Discovery Channel’s annual “Shark Week”, as well as making a first appearance in the National Geographic Channel’s “SharkFest”. The CSSC also joined a dream team of researchers throughout the Gulf and Southern Atlantic to begin work on the ongoing Greater Amberjack Count project.

After many events being put on hold in the last couple of years due to COVID, our Marketing and Communications Team went the extra mile in 2022 to bring science and conservation to our community. In June we held our first ever “Sea to Screen” Film Festival allowing the sold-out crowd to view films about coastal and marine ecosystems from throughout the world. I’m excited to see the festival grow in 2023 and in years to come. In September we partnered with the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center to screen the Texas wildlife film, “Deep in the Heart”. Our researchers were thrilled to provide scientific expertise to the filmmakers, and we were just as thrilled to bring the film to the Island Campus and the Texas Coastal Bend community.

I could go on about what a great year we had in 2022, but instead I’ll let you read about everything I’ve already mentioned, and more, in the pages to follow. I know 2023 will be another busy year for us, but I also know that there is no better team suited to keep making a difference than the one we have here at HRI, whether on campus at TAMU-CC or across the Gulf.

Greg Stunz, PH.D

Senior Executive Director