It’s okay to begin practicing your rendition of “Hail to the Chief.” You’ll just have to wait a few more years—more specifically, until 2017—to use it.
Jim Hurley, director of Wisconsin Sea Grant, has been named president-elect of the national Sea Grant Association, the organization of representatives from the 33 academic institutions that make up the National Sea Grant College Program. Hurley’s term begins this month. When current SGA president-elect Sylvain DeGuise of Connecticut Sea Grant completes his term as president at the end of 2016, Hurley will assume the reins.
The primary role of the SGA president is advocacy, lobbying and educating members of the U.S Congress about the goals and accomplishments of the Sea Grant programs, as well as helping to coordinate their activity. The SGA works closely with the National Sea Grant Office to coordinate activities and help move the program in new directions. In this sense, Hurley will be able to hit the ground sprinting. Not only did he serve a year in the offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sea Grant’s parent organization, but he also made an annual pilgrimage to Washington to visit legislators when he served as Wisconsin Sea Grant’s assistant director from 2002 to 2011.
“I’ve really seen the process from both sides, both from an advocacy standpoint and from someone who’s had to put together a budget each year,” said Hurley. “I think that dual perspective will be valuable for all our programs.”
Hurley also sees his SGA role over the next three years as a great opportunity to help guide and hone Sea Grant’s missions and objectives, incorporating more social science research and increasing a growing national focus on resilient coastal communities and the effects of climate change.
“I follow in the footsteps of some of the core players in developing the framework to promote innovative coastal research, outreach and education,” said Hurley. ”It’s humbling to have the support of Sea Grant directors, some of the most creative and respected coastal scientists. I look forward to working with them to promote this great program. “
And hey, he’ll certainly have plenty of time to develop his agenda.
For more information about the National Sea Grant Association, visit http://www.sga.seagrant.org/
