Next month is time of major transition for Wisconsin Sea Grant. Anders Andren, the man who’s directed the organization for the last 21 years, makes his retirement official on June 30. His replacement, Jim Hurley, assumed the director’s position on May 1 and is preparing to unroll his first round of strategic initiatives.
NOAA Sea Grant Director Leon Cammen took the occasion to share some complimentary words about both men with the Sea Grant Network. His comments follow.
Good afternoon Sea Grant colleagues,
I would like to extend my congratulations to Jim Hurley who became the Director of Wisconsin Sea Grant earlier this month. Jim is only the third director in the program’s history. And on behalf of all of us in Sea Grant, I would like to thank Anders Andren for his 21 years of service as Director, which ends on June 30th of this year.
Anders has positioned Wisconsin Sea Grant as a leader in cutting-edge research and technological innovations related to the Great Lakes. A proponent of information technology, Anders developed the first Sea Grant program website as well as several, robust and innovative in-house programs for researchers to submit and update grant proposals. He has also been a leader in the network, and has served as president of the Sea Grant Association. My fondest memory of Anders is for his enthusiastic performances as lead guitarist for the Not-So-Muddy Waters blues band—the top-billed act during many Sea Grant Week gatherings. Anders’ reflections on Sea Grant are worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9F89CE32D8A1D437&feature=plcp
I wish Anders all the best in his emeritus status, in his music career and in his future endeavors. Last week, Russ Moll and Jim Murray visited our offices and spoke highly of the pleasures of retirement. Anders will be in good company.
It is my pleasure to welcome Jim Hurley back to Sea Grant after serving as the Director of the Environmental Health Division of the State Lab of Hygiene. Jim is no stranger to Sea Grant. He was with the program from 1998 to 2010, filling the role of Assistant Director for Research and Outreach at the time of his departure. Many of you may know that Jim has worked extensively on the impact of mercury in northern Wisconsin lakes, the Great Lakes and the Everglades.
My staff and I owe a debt of gratitude to Jim. In August of 2007, Jim and his family moved to the Washington, DC area so that Jim could serve in a year-long detail position with the National Sea Grant Office. Jim filled many critical needs in our office, taking on research and program officer duties, the facilitation and oversight of grant awards, technical selection panels, and a number of high-level initiatives with other NOAA offices and programs. We quickly learned that there is nothing Jim can’t do, and do extremely well. Every project that Jim touched flourished under his care. And while he is one of the most capable, flexible and effective colleagues I have ever had the pleasure of working with, it is his kindness, generosity of spirit and positive attitude that made a lasting impression here in NOAA. To date, my staff and many of our NOAA colleagues continue to ask about Jim and to wish him well.
Jim is an asset to the entire Sea Grant network and we welcome him back into the fold. Congratulations on this well-deserved appointment.
