Nominations are Open for GCOOS 2024 Board Elections

GCOOS is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Board Elections. Board members have the opportunity to be involved in helping to chart the course for GCOOS and supporting ocean observing opportunities across the five Gulf states, along with international efforts throughout the wider Gulf of Mexico. (View current board list here.) Self-nominations are welcome; you may also nominate a colleague, as long as they are willing to serve.

Board seats are based on sectors. In 2024, we will be electing:

• One member each from the government, academic and outreach/education sectors
• Two members from the private sector

Only GCOOS members may vote for the Board.

• Not yet a member but interested in joining? Click here for details and to join.

Important dates and deadlines

• March 1: Nominations open
• March 29: Nominations close
• April 2: Ballots sent to electors
• April 19: Voting ends

Questions? Please contact GCOOS Program Coordinator and Board Liaison  Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson.

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 autumn Board meeting (usually held in September/October);
• 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.

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 Mexico 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 request membership via Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner, Jorge.Brenner@GCOOS.org.
• 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, industry, or education and outreach).
• Provide a short biography (two or three paragraphs) detailing their work and interests as related to GCOOS.
• Email Board nominations to the 2024 Elections Officers Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson at Jen.Vreeland@GCOOS.org  and Dr. Xinping Hu at xinping.hu@tamucc.edu.

Current Board Members whose terms expire in Fall 2024

Private Sector (2 seats open)

• Dr. Alyssa Dausman (not seeking re-election), Senior Vice President and Chief Scientist, The Water Institute
• Bill Lingsch, Vencore Inc.

Government Sector (1 seat open)

• Dr. Kate Hubbard, Director of Red Tide Research, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Academic Sector (1 seat open)

• Dr. Nick Shay, Associate Dean and Professor in the Department of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Director of the Upper Ocean Dynamics Laboratory

Outreach & Education Sector (1 seat open)

• Joe Swaykos, NOAA/NDBC (Capt., Ret.) (retiring from the Board)