Greetings from HRI! It has been an exciting and productive spring. Dr. Robert Furgason, former HRI Executive Director and TAMUCC President, retired on 31 March after a highly successful and productive career, and our new HRI Director was announced by TAMU-CC President Flavius Killebrew on April 29. The new HRI Executive Director, Dr. Larry McKinney, will arrive at the helm in July.
   The international stature of HRI was distinctly displayed over the past few months with three endowed chairs being invited to speak in other countries regarding their expertise: Dr. Rich McLaughlin in Vietnam, Dr. Paul Montagna in Mexico, and Dr. Tom Shirley in Korea. In addition, Dr. Jim Gibeaut led a coastal field trip with numerous international visitors, and HRI Research Specialist Suraida Nañez-James went to Spain for the month of May on a Rotary International Award (see Winter 2008 HRI News). Nañez-James continues to connect local public school students to the marine and coastal

environment via her Laguna Outreach Project and the Innovation Academy, and with her other partners made some PSA videos of the Laguna Outreach Project and developed a SHIPS intern program with PhD student Sandra Arismendez.
   Living up to our goal of cooperation and collaboration with Gulf of Mexico partners, HRI hosted the Executive Team of the National Marine Sanctuary Program in early May, began planning for our next Cuba meeting in Cancun this fall, and continued planning the next State of the Gulf Summit to be held in Veracruz, Mexico, February 3-5, 2009.
   Enjoy reading about the multi-faceted activities of HRI in this spring’s edition of HRI News; with regards and best wishes to all.
   - Wes Tunnell, Associate Director