The HRI Advisory Council had its fall meeting at the new HRI building during 6-7 December 2007. Council members arrived on Thursday (12/6) for an evening reception and dinner with HRI Endowed Chairs and HRI Research Associates and their spouses. Also joining us for the evening function were U.S. Congressman Solomon Ortiz and several members of his staff, and four NOAA representatives who were on campus discussing possible joint programs between NOAA and TAMU-CC. The festive, Christmas season decorations were well received and enjoyed by all. Dr. Jim Gibeaut, HRI’s newest Endowed Research Associate Professor of GIS and Data Management, made a presentation on his research on Texas coastal barrier islands.

Friday was an all-day meeting, starting with a continental breakfast with HRI students and staff in the foyer of the new building. Endowed and Associate Faculty introduced their students and projects. After breakfast, Council Chair Sylvia Earle and Executive Director Bob Furgason welcomed Council Members and Trustees. Dr. Furgason then presented an update of HRI activities and the building. College of Science and Technology Dean Frank Pezold and Endowed Chair Tom Shirley gave an update on the Executive Director search, which should be completed in the first quarter of 2008. Bob Furgason agreed to stay on during that selection period.

Bryon Griffith, Council Member and Director of EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program then presented an update of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and encouraged HRI scientists to become involved.

Council Member David Guggenheim and Associate Director Wes Tunnell gave an overview of the Cuba-U.S. scientist meeting in Cancun, held in early November. It was a success, and a follow-up meeting to include Mexican scientists will be held within one year. Bob Furgason then gave a report on his activities with the Governor of Veracruz in planning for the next State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit. It will probably be held in Veracruz city in early 2009.

After a lunch break Council Members heard about strategic planning for each of the research areas of HRI from each Endowed Chair. Significant progress was made with the appointment of planning committees in each area during the fall of 2007 and meetings of each group for planning. Director Furgason will work with the Endowed Chairs on an integrated strategic plan for HRI. (see Director’s Report)

One of the highlights of this meeting was to see the entire research and operational staff, as well as students, in action in their new environment. Several Council Members commented that was the best thing they had seen and experienced at this meeting. “Those are really knowledgeable and impressive students,” Council Member Eric Gustafson from Monterrey, Mexico, remarked.