Dr. Larry D. McKinney, director of Coastal Fisheries and senior director of Aquatic Resources for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), has been named as the new executive director of the Harte Research Institute. He will assume his new duties at the HRI in July.
   Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi President Flavius Killebrew made the announcement on April 29, following an exhaustive international search.
   McKinney, who earned his PhD from Texas A&M University in 1976, has expertise in a broad range of science and policy issues related to freshwater inflows, natural resource management, environmental studies, wetlands conservation and restoration, endangered species and amphipod biodiversity.
   “Dr. McKinney’s experience in the ocean sciences and his record of leading successful international research initiatives will serve the University well as the Harte Research Institute grows in national and international stature,” said Killebrew. “His credentials and talents will increase the University’s standing within the research community and play a vital role in the continued development of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as a major research institution.”
   “I look forward to working with the distinguished scientists and staff and addressing the challenges we face in assuring the health of the Gulf of Mexico,” McKinney said.
   “The HRI has rapidly become a scientific leader in the region and it is my goal to build on that success. If we are to address complex issues such as climate change we’ll need policies well-grounded in science and the HRI will be a leader in meeting such challenges,” he said.
   Speaking for the Harte family, Ed Harte said that Larry McKinney brings to the Harte Research Institute many years of developing and implementing policies and practices which support the quality of our natural resources. McKinney’s experiences will be instrumental in assessing issues that impact the Gulf of Mexico and in providing solutions for supporting long-term benefits toward the well-being of these waters and the countries that are dependent upon the conservation of the ecosystem.
   “The work of the Harte Research Institute shapes the future health and sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico,” Harte said. “We look to Larry McKinney to bring the scientific community and neighboring nations together as the institute continues its ongoing work in supporting the economies of the North American region.”