GCOOS 2025 Board Elections

(en español)

GCOOS Board members help chart the course for GCOOS, which supports ocean observing opportunities across the five Gulf states, as well as international ocean observing efforts in the region. (View current board list here.) Board representatives are grouped into sectors: Private, Government, Academic and Outreach & Education.

• Private: Businesses and industries privately owned, usually as a means of establishment for profit or nonprofit, rather than being owned by the government.
• Government: Officials and agencies representing a federal or non-federal government entity.
• Academic: Researchers or faculty members affiliated with an academic institution.
• Outreach and Education: Representatives of any sector that are actively involved in ocean education and outreach.

GCOOS has announced the dates for its 2025 Board of Directors elections:

• March 3: Nominations open
• March 28: Nominations close
• April 1: Ballots sent to electors
• April 18: Voting ends

Board Member Duties

• Setting policy for the organization and providing direction to the Executive Director, including bylaws revisions as necessary;
• Establishing and maintaining the structure of the Regional Association, including approval of appointments to Councils, Committees, Task Teams or other groups;
• Approving budgets, the business model, proposals and endorsements requested by members for proposals they intend to submit.

About Board Service

• Terms are three years and begin at the Fall Board meeting (usually held between September-November);
• The Board typically meets twice annually (including once in person) and via phone/virtually every two months; the Board may also be called to meet when priority situations arise;
• Board Members are not paid; however expenses related to GCOOS in-person Board meetings are reimbursed (unless a federal employee);
• Self-nominations are welcome. You may also nominate a colleague, as long as they are willing to serve.

Only GCOOS institutional members may vote for the Board.

• Not yet a member but interested in joining? Click here for details and to join.
• Questions? Please contact GCOOS Associate Director Marcus Ogle at marcus.ogle@gcoos.org.

Open Seats, Fall 2025

• Private Sector — 2 seats open
• Government Sector — 2 seats open
• Academic Sector — 1 seat open
• Outreach & Education Sector  — 1 seat open

To Make a Nomination

• Confirm that the person/people nominated are Members of the GCOOS-RA or affiliated with a member organization.
• Members must produce or use data or products from the Gulf of America and its estuaries or be employed by an entity that does so. If a nominee is not a Member or a Member’s representative, they should join here
• Confirm that the person/people named are willing to serve as Board member(s) if elected.
• Indicate the sector for which the person is being nominated (government, academic, private, or education and outreach).
• Provide a short biography (about 300 words) detailing their work and interests as related to GCOOS.
• Email Board nominations to the 2025 Elections Officers Board Members Dr. Emily Hall, emily8@mote.org, and Dr. Rafael Ramos, rramos@woodsholegroup.com, along with
• GCOOS Associate Director Marcus Ogle at marcus.ogle@gcoos.org