Although the University of Wisconsin’s Aquatic Sciences Center looked thoroughly, it didn’t have to look far for the next assistant director for extension for the Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute. Twenty-year Wisconsin Sea Grant employee David Hart has been chosen for the position. He began his new duties in an interim capacity on Nov. 1 and was officially named to the position today.
Hart’s hire marks the final step in reorganization of the center’s administrative structure by Director Jim Hurley, who divided up duties of retiring and departed staff members among a new assistant director for operations, an assistant director for research and student engagement, a grants and finance specialist and Hart’s position.
“We conducted a national search for this position and it led right back to David,” said Hurley. “He is already a leader in regional and national Sea Grant outreach issues. David is admired not only by us at Sea Grant, but nationally for his reputation of creativity and excellence. I’ve always admired David’s personal approach with students and staff who have worked alongside him. He’s always treated them with respect and with a calm, kind heart. I’m proud to have him as part of our management team.”
Hart began his Sea Grant career in 1994, when he was hired as geographic information systems specialist, a joint position with the Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Through it Hart conducted research and provided technical assistance and outreach to Wisconsin government officials regarding applications of geographic information system technology for Great Lakes coastal management. In 2002, Hart began full-time work for Wisconsin Sea Grant as a scientist, focusing on research and outreach that supports sustainable coastal development.
Things came around full circle for Hart with his new position. “The first person I got to tell about my new job was Al Miller, who originally hired me back in 1994,” said Hart. “I bumped into him at a meeting right after I got the job offer. He was excited.”
Prior to moving to Wisconsin, Hart worked in Louisiana in urban and environmental planning. Hart earned his Ph.D. in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans, and has a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of Michigan.
Hart’s outreach philosophy? “We’ve had wonderful and helpful people head up the extension staff in the past, including current director Jim Hurley,” Hart said. “Jim’s philosophy was that it was his job to get the staff the resources they needed to succeed. That’s mine, too.”
As assistant director for extension, Hart will be overseeing the work of Sea Grant extension agents in Madison and four field offices. He will participate in regional and national networks on planning and program development and ensure that extension efforts are cohesive. He will also continue his current work on coastal management issues.
Hart lives in Madison with his wife, Maria, and has two grown children, Noah and Madeline. He can be reached at (608) 262-6515 or dhart@aqua.wisc.edu.
